Greater Shepparton City Council
Is a Power Partner
Greater Shepparton City Council has a commitment to a 2030 zero emission target and climate adaptation and mitigation actions for the community, after declaring a climate emergency in March 2020. We’ve already undertaken some significant steps such as making the switch to renewable energy, but we have an important journey still ahead, providing leadership and guidance towards positive climate action for the community of Greater Shepparton. Working in partnership with other Councils will provide access to valuable networks, information and resources gained from the journeys of other Councils across Australia, and then to be able to give back to the partnership by sharing learnings and outcomes from our climate action initiatives.
Council has chosen the following pledges
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings
Power council operations by renewable energy, and set targets to increase the level of renewable power for council operations over time.
Ensure Council fleet purchases meet strict greenhouse gas emissions requirements and support the uptake of electric vehicles.
Provide fast-charging infrastructure throughout the city at key locations for electric vehicles.
Set city-level renewable energy or emissions reduction targets
Greater Shepparton City Council
What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
Greater Shepparton City Council values the leadership role we have in our community, and have undertaken many projects and made many commitments to play our part in creating a more sustainable and equitable future for our community including having:
- Declared a Climate Emergency
- Set a 2030 Zero Emissions Target
- Purchased 100% renewable electricity for our small and large market electricity through our participation in the Victorian Energy Collaboration project
- Installed over 500kw Solar PV on council facilities
- Integrated electric vehicles into Council’s passenger fleet
- Installed 4 x DC and 4 x AC public charge stations, powered by renewable electricity
- Upgraded streetlights to low energy lamps through Watts Working Better project
- Planted over 6000 advanced trees as part of our Urban Forest Strategy to cool our urban areas
- Planted over 100,000 indigenous trees, shrubs and groundcovers through the One Tree Per Child project
- Funded Community Sustainability Grants to support actions within our community
- Adopted a Climate Adaptation Plan for Council’s operations and services
- Developed the Shepparton Statement – a platform for our youth to have their say on climate and the environment
- Implemented an Emissions Reduction Plan to reduce council’s energy use by 20% from 2014 to 2020
What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
Greater Shepparton City Council has also identified many opportunities for future actions to continue to mitigate our emissions and adapt our community to climate change including:
- Adopt and implement 2030 Zero Emissions Plan for council’s operations
- Development of Climate Emergency Action Plan for adoption in 2022 to support our community to mitigate against and adapt to climate change
- Decarbonisation of gas at council facilities
- Reduction in waste to landfill
- Continued energy efficiency projects within our facilities
- Continued installation of solar PV on council facilities
- Continued transition of fleet to Zero Emissions Vehicles
- Increasing urban tree canopy cover to 40% by 2040
- Continuing One Tree Per Child revegetation activities
- Increasing Environmental Sustainable Design in our buildings and communities
What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership
Greater Shepparton City Council hopes that by joining Cities Power Partnership we will increase our knowledge sharing and create collaboration opportunities with other councils. We can then share these learnings more widely with businesses, stakeholders, industry and community, and work together more effectively as we take our next steps towards a better future.