CCP AUSTRALIA

Cities for Climate Protection™ Adaptation Initiative

ICLEI Oceania is conducting a series of state-based climate change adaptation forums for CCP councils.

The 'Leadership in a New Climate' forums will provide a holistic look at what is involved in taking a leadership approach to adaptation – one that enhances the existing risk-management frameworks that councils already use.


These forums aim to facilitate discussion about:

• how climate change impacts will change the way councils operate
• how prepared councils are to make critical decisions when faced with change and uncertainty
• what role the strategic vision plays in providing the guidance and support necessary for council staff to implement adaptation actions.

The forums will provide an introduction to an adaptive management approach and tools that councils can use. They are also a valuable networking opportunity to explore possibilities of working together.

Don't miss out!

• RSVP to the Mandurah forum by Friday 7 November 2008.
• RSVP to the Adelaide forum by Friday 14 November 2008.

Key speakers at the upcoming forums include:

Mandurah forum – A welcome address by Mayor Paddi Creevy and a reflection on the key impacts for the region and how to factor climate change projections into council decision-making by Dr. Robert Kay, Director of Coastal Zone Management.

Adelaide forum – A welcome addresses by Lord Mayor Michael Harbison and Wendy Campana, Executive Director of the Local Government Association of South Australia. A reflection on the key impacts for the region, associated risks and opportunities and hints on how councils can make decisions based on projections of future climate by Dr. Douglas Bardsley, Senior Lecturer, Geography and Environmental Studies, School of Sciences, University of Adelaide.

For more information on these forums visit the Leadership in a New Climate webpage.

Council staff now dry their hands with efficient air dryers rather than the 1.5 tonnes of paper towel they previously used each year.

Visit the Outstanding Council Initiative page on the CCP Australia website to read the full story about the latest winner.

Does your council have the leading edge on greenhouse abatement?

The Outstanding Council Initiative award goes to a council who has implemented an innovative greenhouse initiative or project.

If you think your council has implemented an innovative greenhouse initiative or project, or has perhaps created an innovative process for its implementation, you can complete the Case Study and Outstanding Initiative nomination form and return it to your CCP State or Territory Manager.

New South Wales councils participating in the CCP Plus Sustainable Purchasing Advancing Action Project attended the final project workshop at Hornsby Shire Council back in May.

The workshop covered the final milestone in the project – a review of their Sustainable Purchasing Action Plans – and the preparation of a progress report that outlined new actions for councils to continue on their sustainable purchasing journeys.

The workshop helped the project councils identify and celebrate the progress they’ve made, and continue targeting action at priority areas for change.

CCP Australia is pleased to announce that the following councils have achieved CCP Plus Milestone 5 (Review and Re-strategise), to be awarded at the next ICLEI Oceania recognition event at in December, during the ALGA National Assembly:

• Hornsby Shire Council
• Mosman Municipal Council
• Marrickville Council
• Rockdale City Council

Congratulations to all councils who achieved this important milestone. The Review and Re-strategise toolkit, including a handy self-assessment matrix can be found on the Taking Action page on the Sustainable Purchasing Project website.

Coffs Harbour, a CCP Leader, has received a $735,000 grant under the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change’s Public Facilities Program. The grant will be used to install a solar grid feed system to provide power for a prominent government building, Rigby House.

Rigby House contains the Regional Gallery and City Library as well as other government offices, and it is identified as one of Council’s highest energy consuming sites.

The solar grid feed system, which will be installed on the roof of the building, will generate around half the power needed to run the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting, office equipment and lifts.

According to Jeff Green, Council’s Executive Manager – Strategy and Sustainability, the project has the potential to save up to 235 tonnes of CO₂e annually, with possible savings of more than $25,000 a year in direct electricity costs. Council will also have an opportunity to sell any excess power back to the electricity grid.

As an additional benefit of the program, the building will become the focal point of a sustainability education program, including renewable energy, aimed at schools and key community sectors.

As well as hosting workshops, forums and educational material, a small model of the solar energy system will be placed in the foyer of Rigby House so that people can have a closer look at and greater understanding of the technology.

Through its emissions inventory review process, Warringah Council, a CCP Partner, identified its vehicle fleet as a significant financial and greenhouse cost.

As a result, Council’s Sustainable Energy and Local Greenhouse Strategy developed a new fleet policy to save money and reduce emissions. Fleet numbers were reduced and many six-cylinder vehicles substituted with smaller cars.

Additionally, Council introduced more efficient and less greenhouse-intensive fuels.

With the policy now implemented, Warringah has over 50% less six-cylinder vehicles, resulting in a fuel saving of 15% per month.

Over the next year, Council intends to reduce the fleet by a further 30% and to slash vehicle emissions by 40%. The plan to install particulate filters on diesel vehicles will also decrease pollutants being released into the air.

In addition to direct benefits, Council’s Sustainability Working Group – made up of managers, directors and team leaders from across business teams – has proposed that the funds saved from reduced vehicle fuel use go towards purchasing GreenPower for Council’s highest energy consuming sites.

Moyne Shire Council, a CCP Leader, planted 1000 native trees and shrubs at the Hawkesdale Racecourse Crown land reserve as part of a trial to offset vehicle fleet emissions, enhance local biodiversity and engage the community on climate change and environmental issues.

To identify a site Council considered the long-term security of land tenure, opportunities to achieve multiple environmental benefits, and finding a site within Moyne Shire that will be managed by the community representatives over the long term, e.g. a Committee of Management.

Using these key criteria, investigations revealed a site at the Hawkesdale Racecourse Crown Land Reserve was considered ideal.

A recently established community-based Committee of Management showed enthusiastic support. The Victorian Government’s Department of Sustainability and Environment, as the owner of the Crown land, supported the initiative, ensured long-term ownership of the site and provided technical advice on integrating the project with existing remnant vegetation values.

A regional biodiversity action plan identified the reserve as a very high priority site for enhancement plantings to help restore the ecological vegetation that was present before modification and clearing.

In addition to the biodiversity benefits, the plantings are anticipated to offset a total of 228 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

This council project has multiple environmental benefits, offsets emissions and contributes to community objectives to protect and restore this reserve for the long term.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council, a CCP Partner, recently hosted a Solar Hot Water Community Awareness Program and Mini Expo at the Kyneton Town Hall.

A joint initiative by the Master Plumbers Association (Green Plumbers), Sustainability Victoria and the Plumbing Industry Commission of Victoria, the event included a Green Plumber training program and demonstrations of renewable energy and efficient technologies, such as solar hot water systems.

Fifty-two plumbers participated in the training program and over 30 residents viewed the product display.

The main benefit of this council-coordinated event is that local plumbers have improved their knowledge and understanding of solar hot water systems, installation techniques and standards, and available rebates and incentives.

With improved knowledge and skills, the participating plumbers can confidently assist shire residents to install solar hot water systems and related products, and help residents reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while avoiding higher energy costs.