Our journey
What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
Wyndham is one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities, with a population of 283,294 in 2020 forecast to grow to 512,591 by 2041.
Wyndham City has made a clear commitment to Corporate and Community greenhouse gas reduction targets through the Environment & Sustainability Strategy (2016-2040) which are aligned to meet the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement.
We are one of the founding members of the Victorian Government’s collective climate change program TAKE 2.
Key projects to reduce emissions, increase biodiversity and reduce the impact of climate change include:
- Wyndham Solar City, an ambitious ongoing project to reduce the City’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions through the large-scale roll out of Solar Photovoltaics (PV) across Council’s community buildings. To date, this project has delivered over 2.3MW of solar across more than 67 community buildings, including swimming pools, sporting grounds, community centres, kindergartens, libraries and municipal offices.
- Over 350kWh of batteries have been installed at community centres and sporting pavilions to store excess solar energy generated during sunlight hours. The batteries have the potential to supply enough energy to run 22 average sized homes in per year (12kWh/day).
- Since 2015, Wyndham City has completed energy efficient lighting upgrades at 75 sites in our parks and gardens, reducing greenhouse gasses by 273 tonnes.
- Wyndham City was also a founding partner of the Lighting the West program to bring sustainable street lighting to the western suburbs. Since the project began in 2014, more than 17,000 lights have been upgraded in Wyndham. When the project is completed it will save over 3,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
- As well as working to reduce our own greenhouse emissions, Council is also focussed on helping our business community reduce their emissions through a variety of initiatives, including Environmental Upgrade Finance and the EnergySmart Business program.
- Council’s City Forest and Habitat Strategy includes a target of reaching 25% tree canopy coverage in Wyndham’s streets and 35% coverage in local parks by 2040. In 2019/2020 4,981 trees were planted across Wyndham and 18,710 indigenous tube stock were planted in conservation reserves along the Werribee River corridor.
- In 2019-2020, 21,759 indigenous plants were planted into conservation reserves throughout Wyndham.
What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
- A Power Purchase Agreement to purchase 100% renewable electricity for Wyndham City Council operations by December 2021.
- Building on our work with the Lighting the West project, Wyndham City has committed to upgrading all inefficient street lights on council roads by 2022; replacing a further 6,000 inefficient lights with LEDs. Wyndham City has committed more than $3 million to upgrade nine stormwater treatment wetlands from 2019 – 2022.
What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership
Supporting the Cities Power Partnership is part of Wyndham City’s ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions and protecting our region’s unique natural environment for future generations to enjoy.
By working together, we can achieve more. The Cities Power Partnership provides an important platform for collaboration, enabling councils to share their knowledge and practical experiences, that can be applied at a local level.