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As part of the LED Pilot Project, six Victorian CCP Plus Councils worked through a process to develop and implement a project that aimed to support local economic development and positive greenhouse/environmental outcomes.
A snapshot description of each project, and a contact person, are provided below:
In developing and implementing their projects, a range of key success factors have been shared that can inform future initiatives.
COMPLETED
The City of Greater Bendigo and the surrounding shires have a significant poultry industry, which contributes to the local economy but is also a source of agricultural emissions of greenhouse gases. A feasibility study suggests that it may be technically and financially feasible to process waste chicken litter from the members of the Northern Poultry Cluster to produce energy, heat and a carbon based soil conditioner for sale.
The study is now complete and results are looking very promising. The study indicates that by using pyrolysis technology, a 77% plus potential saving on greenhouse gas emissions could be achieved, whilst generating revenue from energy, the soil conditioner and potentially the heat also.
The study also highlights a number of barriers and issues that may be encountered along the way and the City of Greater Bendigo are pursuing discussions with the North Central Poultry Cluster to begin working through some of these identified concerns.
Contact:
Jeff Bothe, Industry Development Officer
j.bothe@bendigo.vic.gov.au
Tel: (03) 5434 6197
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COMPLETED
Council identified that a range of businesses in the Shire, particularly in the manufacturing sector, were significant energy users. Council's Economic Development Officer targeted and recruited 10 diverse businesses in the shire to participate in the project to improve their energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.
An energy auditor carried out energy audits on the selected businesses (predominantly based in Kerang and Cohuna). Each business was given a detailed report on their current energy use together with a list of energy saving recommendations, and estimates of the expected cost, yearly benefit and payback.
If all recommendations in the 10 audits are implemented (approx $111,119 investment) the businesses would abate approximately 317t CO2e per year, save $37,366 per year in reduced energy bills and enjoy an average 40% return on investment.
Council is continuing to liaise with the businesses to encourage and monitor uptake of the energy efficiency recommendations over the coming months and promote the positive results to other business and the broader community.
Contact:
Adam Cooper, Environmental Engineer
adamc@gannawarra.vic.gov.au
Tel: (03) 5450 9333
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COMPLETED
Through its emissions re-inventory Council identified transport as a significant and growing contributor to both greenhouse gas emissions and local ambient air pollution. In light of this concern, the LED Project investigated the feasibility of commercial distribution of biodiesel in Hobsons Bay for use by Council and the community.
The feasibility study is now complete and indicates that there are no significant barriers for the City of Hobsons Bay in purchasing biodiesel, building and storage and distribution facility or in using biodiesel in fleet and supplier vehicles. The report recommends a number of potential suppliers, advises against importing palm oil and touches on some of the barriers for distributing biodiesel to the wider community.
Contact:
Matthew Aquilina, Sustainability Officer
maquilina@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Tel: (03) 9932 1142
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COMPLETED
Electricity used by the commercial sector is a significant source of community greenhouse emissions within Melbourne. The City of Melbourne project aims to lower greenhouse emissions and reduce businesses energy costs by introducing some of Melbourne's largest building tenants to 'green' lighting technology and management systems.
By matching tenants needs with existing technology and local solution providers, the project aimed to facilitate uptake of energy efficient lighting technologies, with multiple flow-on benefits to building tenants, suppliers, the Melbourne economy and the environment. Materials and results developed through the pilot will also be shared with other similar businesses.
The Sustainable Office Lighting workshop was a great success, participants informed that presentations were of a high quality and that they has acquired more information for their decision making from attending the workshop. The Guide to Sustainable Office Lighting is also now available as a result of the project and can be downloaded from the City of Melbourne’s website or the link, below.
Contact:
Bruce Matheson, Senior Business Advisor - Business Melbourne
bruce.matheson@melbourne.vic.gov.au
Tel: (03) 9658 8898
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IN PROGRESS
Mount Alexander Shire Council did not have an economic development strategy or dedicated staff. To address this Mount Alexander Shire commissioned the preparation of an Economic Development Framework, with funding assistance from Regional Development Victoria.
The LED Project ensured that the framework, through extended community consultation and workshops, strongly reflected environmental issues and priorities (including greenhouse gas reduction). The resulting framework established an Economic Development Unit (EDU) within Council, with one of its three overarching objectives being "to create a regional development competitive edge by explicitly targeting environmentally friendly enterprises and nurturing an environmentally conscious workforce and community".
The framework has provided a clear direction in pursuing economic wellbeing for the Shire and guides the EDU to work with the Sustainable Development staff within Council to develop and grow the economy in an environmentally sustainable way.
Contact:
Fiona McMahon, Manager - Sustainable Development
f.mcmahon@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Tel: (03) 5471 1767
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COMPLETED
The Moreland City Council partnered with Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL) to engage real estate agents in the municipality, raising their awareness of the multiple benefits of 'energy smart homes'. The project aims to:
- Turn real estate agents into advocates (to buyers and sellers) of the benefits of energy smart features in houses and apartments;
- Encourage home owners to include energy smart features in home renovations or capital investments prior to selling; and,
- Encourage home buyers to value the energy savings features of homes when making their purchasing decision.
The project organised a breakfast briefing for local real estate agents to launch the project and brief participants on the projects intent. Further support for local real estate agents included a brochure highlighting sustainable building features that prospective buyers could review. The project was ICLEI's CCP 'Initiative of the Month' for November 2006.
Contact:
Bruce Thomson, Project Officer - Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd.
bruce@mefl.com.au
Tel: (03) 9381 1722
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