Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Douglas Shire Council's climate and sustainability commitments

Douglas Shire Council is part of the Cities Power Partnership, Australia's largest network of councils leading the way to a sustainable future

  • Traditional Owners Eastern Kuku Yalanji and Yirrganydji
  • Member since 2017
  • Population 12,519

Our journey

What has Douglas Shire Council achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy or broader sustainability

Douglas Shire Council continues to be committed to playing its role in the mitigation of climate change, particularly around maintaining important carbon sinks, including protecting and increasing areas of rainforest, riparian vegetation wetlands and mangroves; as well as by reducing carbon emissions.

Council is using solar energy at different Council buildings and is exploring more options to increase the level of renewable power for its operations. Additionally, the Council is adopting energy efficiency measures to reduce energy usage, carbon footprint and also reduce operational costs.

With over 100 km of coastline, Douglas community values its coastal region. For climate change adaptation, the Council was the first in Queensland to develop a Resilient Coast Strategic Plan. The plan outlines actions to mitigate coastal hazards related to climate change, sea level rise, cyclones and coastal erosion.

What does Douglas Shire Council hope to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy or broader sustainability

Council has committed to undertaking actions under a Corporate Sustainability Strategy. The strategy provides a framework and identifies priorities for Council’s operations under Council’s Sustainable Principles, which are:

  1. Preserve and restore the natural environment
  2. Utilise resources efficiently
  3. Protect and enhance biodiversity
  4. Monitor and reduce Council’s environmental footprint
  5. Strengthen Council’s resilience to climate change
  6. Display strong environmental leadership

Actions under the principles include, but are not limited to:

  • Improving energy efficiency
  • Utilising renewable energy
  • Supporting sustainable transportation
  • Managing water and waste
  • Improving environmental quality, habitat protection and biodiversity
  • Engaging with government departments on sustainability-related principles
  • Working with partnerships on environmental issues
  • Implementing community consultation and education on sustainability initiatives

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Power council operations by renewable energy, and set targets to increase the level of renewable power for council operations over time.
Opening up unused council managed land for renewable energy.
Energy Efficiency
Roll out energy efficient lighting across the municipality.
Create a green revolving energy fund to finance energy efficiency projects.
Sustainable Transport
Support cycling through provision of adequate cycle lanes, bike parking and end-of-ride facilities.

In the news

Media Release

Mayors and councillors stand together in climate call

04 Mar 2021
Seventeen mayors and councillors have called on the government to recognise the spiralling costs to communities from climate-fuelled extreme weather.
Media Release

Mayors commit to clean, local jobs

20 Oct 2020
Over forty mayors and councillors have released a joint statement committing to economic recovery solutions that create jobs and tackle climate change.
News

Climate change summit in Kiama a hot topic

15 Oct 2018
Some of the world’s best minds working to tackle climate change will arrive in Kiama for the inaugural Cities Power Partnership National Summit, on October 18-19.

Join now and be part of the groundswell of local governments and communities across Australia tackling climate change.