Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Wellington Shire Council's climate and sustainability commitments

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

  • Traditional Owners Gunaikurnai Land
  • Member since 2020
  • Population 45,092

Our journey

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

Over the past 10 years Wellington Shire Council has been striving to improve its leadership and commitment to energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport and sustainability. Council has installed 160kw of solar PV across council buildings and replaced over 2200 (or 70% ) of Mercury Vapour streetlights with LED to drive energy reduction. The Street-light Changeover project has driven a 54% reduction in greenhouse emissions from streetlights between 2011 and 2018.

A complete set of carbon accounts was developed in 2018, with Council’s new Sustainability Strategy 2020-24 setting an emission reduction target for the first time. Council also participated in the Gippy Bulk Buy program, partnering with the Yarra Energy Foundation to drive community uptake of solar PV across Gippsland. The program resulted in 100kw of rooftop solar installed across the Shire on residents’ homes and businesses.

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

Wellington Shire Council looks forward to implementing its new Sustainability Strategy which outlines over 61 actions across five core themes: Climate Resilience, Low Carbon Economy, Protecting Nature, Towards a Circular Economy and Environmental Stewardship.

Key actions to reduce emissions include the installation of over 400kw solar PV, working towards a green fleet, installing electric vehicle infrastructure, installing landfill gas flares for the conversion of landfill methane and procurement of renewable power through power purchase agreements.

Wellington Shire looks forward to meeting its first short term emissions reduction target of 23% from the 17/18 baseline by 2024, placing Council on a trajectory to achieving an adopted net zero emissions by 2040.

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

Wellington Shire Council hopes to seize the opportunity to work with a broader network of leading councils to achieve common goals and visions. Council aims to collaborate across this network, share ideas and benefit from access to the partnership’s valuable knowledge capital.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings.
Facilitate large energy users collectively tendering and purchasing renewable energy at a low cost.
Implement landfill gas methane flaring or capture for electricity generation.
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.
Work Together and Influence
Support local community energy groups with their community energy initiatives.

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