The changes come after a council review of its Climate Emergency Action Plan and 2030 Zero Emissions Plan, outlining the organisation’s progress towards its target of achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
The review was undertaken following a motion at the September council meeting, requesting an assessment of council’s ability to meet the 2030 target, as well as the financial costs of implementation to date.
The findings showed council had exceeded its interim goal of addressing 50 per cent of the Zero Emissions Plan actions within four years.
This showed 16 actions completed (25 per cent), 37 actions in progress (58 per cent) and 11 actions not yet started (17 per cent).
Since adopting the Zero Emissions Plan in December 2021, council has invested in a range of initiatives including transitioning to electric and low-emission vehicles, replacing gas appliances in community facilities, developing the Circular Economy Strategy and improving energy efficiency across council operations.
These actions have delivered environmental benefits and operational savings for both council and the community, including more than $100,000 per year in electricity cost reductions through the Victorian Energy Collaboration renewable energy contract.
The review highlighted that while the 2030 zero emissions target remained achievable, it would require ongoing investment and collaboration with state and federal governments, as well as the community.
At the time of the plan’s development and adoption in 2021, it was unclear whether some of the emissions reductions were achievable by 2030, due to the need for advancement in various technologies such as alternative fuel sources to diesel for light commercial or heavy fleet.
In moving a motion at the November council meeting to receive and note the findings of the review, Cr Rod Schubert said the subject of zero emission was “emotive and divisive” and there were passionate people with both points of view.
Cr Schubert spoke of the total costs to implement the plans being more than $1.6 million.
He welcomed the update to the Zero Emissions by 2030 Action Plan that would ensure only actions that represented the best value for council and the community, and ones that aligned with the 2025-2029 Council Plan, were progressed.
“That represents the best value for the community and provides the best savings,” he said.
“I want to ensure we are spending ratepayers’ money wisely and we are obtaining a return on our investment.”
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