BELLINGEN Shire Council has exceeded its goal of a 45 percent reduction in fuel and electricity emissions, five years earlier than the target of 2030.
Council has been implementing energy efficiency actions and installing solar panels since 2010, and in 2019 declared a climate emergency, setting a target of a 45 percent reduction in fuel and electricity emissions by 2030 compared to its baseline year of 2009/10.
The 2024/25 figures show a 58 percent reduction in emissions.
Council has undertaken energy efficiency lighting upgrades at 16 different facilities, installed over 300 kW of solar panels and upgraded street lighting to more efficient LED lighting.
More recently it began transitioning its fleet to electric by replacing one of its diesel ride-on mowers with an electric mower, and two of its petrol fleet vehicles with electric vehicles.
Council also partnered with 12 other regional councils to procure a 100 percent renewable electricity Power Purchase Agreement in late 2024.
“Not only is this a significant environmental achievement for Bellingen Shire Council, but there have also been significant cost savings as well,” said Council General Manager Mark Griffioen.
“A focus on efficiencies, such as the switch to LED streetlighting, saves Council approximately $30,000 a year in electricity costs as well as approximately 144 tonnes of emissions.
“This is a win-win for our community and the environment.”
To accelerate its emission reduction, the Council has been working closely with the Mid-North Coast Joint Organisation (MNCJO) through its Net Zero Acceleration Program.
The program, funded by the Office of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, was established to help regional councils reduce their emissions and play their part in the state’s net zero target.
“The program builds capacity within councils to reduce their emissions and has been crucial to the delivery of regional initiatives, such as the Power Purchase Agreement and the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure,” MNCJO Executive Officer Liz Fairweather.
“Bellingen Shire Council has been an active and engaged participant from the start of the program and is to be commended for its significant emission reduction actions and its ability to leverage the resources available through the Net Zero Acceleration Program to deliver lasting results.”
In 2024 Council was awarded the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Award (Population Category B) at the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards.
Mayor Steve Allan is thrilled with Council’s progress.
“Council is now in the enviable position of having to develop and adopt an updated Corporate Carbon Plan because we have implemented so many of the actions in its 2019 Plan that we now need to identify more opportunities for the next five years,” said Mayor Allan.
“Council is proud to be leading the way in local solutions to this global problem.
“While celebrating this achievement, we are looking firmly to the future at our next target – net zero by 2040.”
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