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STRATHBOGIE Shire is one of just four Victorian local councils to sign a national pledge to tackle climate change by reducing their emissions. In total, 35 local governments, representing over 3 million Australians, will today pledge to tackle rising emissions and worsening climate change through local action and solutions, at the official launch of the Cities Power Partnership (CPP) in Canberra. The Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership program aims to transform Australia’s energy future, with hundreds of towns and cities, through councils, becoming local leaders and champions. Climate Council Chief Councillor Professor Tim Flannery said the landmark, national initiative had the potential to transform Australia’s energy future from the ground up. “We have 35 councils, who together represent more than 3 million Australians living in hundreds of towns and cities of all shapes and sizes across the country,” he said. “Each Council has joined forces under Cities Power Partnership and is ready to get on with the job of tackling climate change.”
Professor Flannery said transforming the way cities use and generate energy alone has the potential to deliver 70% of the total emissions reductions needed. “We are pleased to welcome all of the councils to the Cities Power Partnership’s fi rst intake and congratulate them on rolling up their sleeves to become major drivers of positive climate and energy action.” A spokesperson for the Strathbogie Shire Council said they were motivated to sign up to the Climate Council’s pledge by an understanding of the need to take real action to limit carbon emissions now.
“Strathbogie Shire Council is keen to make a difference for its residents and to join with other councils in a national effort to reduce greenhouse emissions. “Over the last 15 to 20 years, in answer to community desires, many local councils have invested greatly in steady reductions of corporate and community greenhouse emissions, so it’s great to be able to come together nationally to celebrate, learn and achieve more.”
Some of the initiatives the council has already undertaken to adhere to the stipulations of the Climate Council pledge are the implementation of the Bogie Bulk Buy Program, making it easier and cheaper for local businesses and residents to install solar panels, Installing electric vehicle charging stations in Kirkland Avenue, Euroa, with the aim of further potential installations across the Shire, and joining the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) in February 2017. The council also hopes that future planning for energy efficiency, renewable energy and broader sustainability will enable them to be leaders in emissions reduction.
“We will be investigating a corporate building Greenhouse Program, which involves auditing our Council-owned and operated buildings to achieve best cost benefit across energy efficiency, comfort and water efficiency. “Council also hopes to undertake a feasibility analysis of an over-thecounter carbon offset market scheme managed by Council, as well as undertake a business plan to analyse opportunities available for Council managed carbon offset scheme, which not only locks up and protects native vegetation, but gives it a further value to landholders.
Strathbogie Shire is also looking into insulation and draught-proofing bulk buy program for residents, once our Bogie Bulk Buy program has finalised. Council will undertake an evaluation and cost benefit analysis on a bulk-buy style retrofit program of the thermal envelope of residential and commercial buildings.
