A garden in Bendigo, Australia, with Bendigo Courts in the background.

Greater Bendigo reducing its environmental impact

Greater Bendigo (Australia) is reducing its impact on the natural environment through energy efficiency measures, increasing the use of renewable energy, and reducing water usage.

“The city is committed and keen to increase our resources and involvement in initiatives that help us to lessen our current and future impact on the environment”, said Mayor Julie Rivendell.

Greater Bendigo, a member of ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection^® Campaign, has audited many of its public buildings and is making them more efficient. The city is hoping to undertake a pilot project to implement more energy efficient street lighting by working with their local utility.

While water usage has drastically reduced over the past three years, the city is developing a water conservation plan to look for ways to further conserve water in its own operations.

The CCP Campaign is an innovative international campaign that helps local government and their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the environment. In Australia, the CCP is delivered through a collaboration between ICLEI-A/NZ and the Australian Government through the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), Department of the Environment and Water Resources.

Greater Bendigo is one of 95 local governments in Australia that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. For more information on ICLEI and its activities in the Oceania region, please visit www.iclei.org/oceania.