Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Shire of Murray's climate and sustainability commitments

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

  • Traditional Owners Bindjareb People
  • Member since 2020
  • Population 17,911

Our journey

What has the Shire of Murray achieved in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability?

  • Installation of solar panels on a number of public buildings resulting in a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
  • The Murray Aquatic and Leisure Centre is an accredited waterwise centre and uses a cogeneration system to heat the pools and generate electricity for facility use.
  • Installation of an electric vehicle charging point on premises at the Dwellingup History and Visitor Information Centre.
  • Participation in the Waterwise Council Program run by Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. In 2020, endorsed as a Gold Waterwise Council in recognition of achievements in sustainable water management and an ongoing commitment to building a waterwise community.
  • A commitment to protecting and enhancing Murray’s unique biodiversity, realised the development of a Local Biodiversity Strategy which identifies vegetation protection targets and provides guidance on managing and enhancing natural areas. Where clearing is required for development, responsible parties must identify and protect locally significant native vegetation and undertake appropriate revegetation work.
  • Founding member of Rivers Regional Council which is working towards achieving a Zero Waste outcome. Participating Councils have contracted for the provision of Australia’s first Waste to Energy Plant which is anticipated to divert up to 97.5% of the non-recyclable waste stream from Landfill. Members also undertake coordination, advocacy, education and representation roles to coordinate waste recovery, reuse and disposal education programs.
  • As a project partner, is supporting the delivery of Peel Development Commission’s Transform Peel program which among other outcomes aims to identify and adopt innovative water, energy and waste management solutions to power industry in the region. Through the delivery of the Peel Business Park by DevelopmentWA (stage one of the program), a renewable energy industrial microgrid, the first of its kind for an Australian Industrial Park, is being developed. The Shire of Murray’s Agri-Innovation Precinct will be one of the first developments within the park to be powered by the microgrid.

What does the Shire of Murray hope to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability?

The Shire of Murray strives to be an effective steward of its environment by:

  • Protecting and enhancing its existing natural assets, waterways, bushland and biodiversity
  • Proactively managing resources and reducing its carbon footprint through responsible management of water, energy, fire management and waste
  • Developing adaptation strategies to mitigate risks associated with climate change
  • Promoting and advocating for the installation of fast electric charging infrastructure to ensure our community and industry can fully enjoy the benefits of and support the transition to electric vehicles, which will further reduce the use of fossil fuels and help lower carbon emissions

What does the Shire of Murray hope to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership?

Addressing the impacts of climate change is challenging, but with the support of the Partnership the Shire hopes to identify sustainable, actionable solutions to adequately mitigate the threats facing the district. Another key desirable for the Shire, is the opportunity to further collaborate with likeminded Local Government authorities, to reduce energy emissions and build a climate resilient community.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Develop supportive planning laws to encourage residents and industry to adopt renewable energy.
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings.
Create a revolving green energy fund to finance renewable energy projects.
Energy Efficiency
Adopt best practice energy efficiency measures across all council buildings, and support community facilities to adopt these measures.
Sustainable Transport
Provide fast-charging infrastructure throughout the city at key locations for electric vehicles.

In the news

Media Release

Western Australian councils work together for a renewable future

23 Nov 2021
More than 40 council representatives will gather to discuss opportunities to work together to achieve emissions reduction across WA.

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