Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Shellharbour City Council's climate and sustainability commitments

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

  • Member since 2018
  • Population 76,364
feature_icon_3 / CO2 Emissions

Net Zero

council emissions by 2050

feature_icon_4 / People

Net Zero

community emissions by 2050

Our journey

What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability

Shellharbour City Council is committed to protecting and enhancing our natural environment and practicing sustainable living. These core objectives form part of Shellharbour City Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2018 – 2028.

Council has completed water and energy saving projects across a range of Council facilities such as libraries, community centres, swimming pools and sports fields, our Tourist Park and Works Depot. These have included energy and water efficiency upgrades, solar power installation and water meter monitoring.

In 2016 Council introduced a Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) collection service which turns residential food and garden waste into soil conditioner. We have also developed a landfill gas management system which includes methane flaring to reduce the intensity of emissions released from landfill waste.

Council continues to deliver our popular Sustainable Shellharbour and Waste education programs which in 2017/2018 engaged over 9,000 residents.

Our Small Environmental Projects Fund provides environmental education programs that assist our community to practice sustainable living and protect and promote the natural environment. Since its inception in 2000/2001 the fund has supported 58 schools, child care centres and community groups in achieving these aims.

Council plants over 15,000 trees in our reserves and donates more than 2,000 trees to community groups each year.

Our corporate Environmental Leadership program uses educational workshops, events and initiatives to explore ways and facilitate change to improve the environmental performance of Council operations.

Council recently completed the construction of its Civic Centre building which achieved a 5 star Green Star design rating by the Green Building Council of Australia.

What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability

Council is seeking to progress waste and sustainability improvements across its facilities and operations that will result in ongoing emissions reductions, financial savings and demonstrate our commitment to reducing our impact on climate change. We will also continue to deliver waste and sustainability education that inspires community climate action.

What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership

Joining the Cities Power Partnership will allow Council to build on successes achieved through Council’s existing Waste Strategy, Environmental Leadership and Sustainable Shellharbour education programs.

It will also provide an opportunity to work with other like-minded councils across Australia to explore innovative ways to increase renewable energy and energy efficiency, encourage sustainable transport options and align expectations for city-level emissions reductions.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings.
Set minimum renewable energy benchmarks for new developments.
Energy Efficiency
Adopt best practice energy efficiency measures across all council buildings, and support community facilities to adopt these measures.
Sustainable Transport
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.

In the news

Media Release

Enough is enough: Flood affected mayors and councillors call for more support

24 Mar 2022
Thirty-one mayors and councillors from some of the most flood damaged regions have called on the government to do more to protect communities.
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.

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