A zero-emissions shire

Council is proud to announce they’ve achieved their goal of reaching zero-net emissions by 2025.

By completing actions outlined in the Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025(PDF, 4MB), as well as establishing a local carbon offset program, Council reduced all corporate carbon emissions to zero for the 2024 calendar year.

Actions implemented from the Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025 include:

We used 100% renewable electricity

• Council operations (buildings and lighting) are powered by 100% renewable electricity
• Street lighting has been upgraded to energy-efficient LED
• Community electric vehicle chargers have been installed in Castlemaine and Harcourt

We have grown (and continue to grow) our fleet of electric vehicles

• We have developed an Electric Vehicle Transition Plan for the Council fleet, and have purchased our first electric vehicle in 2022, a Nissan Leaf
• We also have a fleet of bicycles including one electric
• We are advocating for more and improved electric vehicle charging infrastructure in and surrounding our shire

We capped the Castlemaine Landfill

• The Castlemaine Landfill has been capped, with locally sourced recycled concrete and green waste used in this process
• Gas flaring infrastructure has been installed to reduce greenhouse emissions
• Our Waste Management Strategy 2023-2033(PDF, 3MB) identifies opportunities to reduce community waste, and divert high-emissions resources, such as food scraps and garden waste

We’re working with local groups

• We have Memorandums of Understanding with The Hub Foundation and Mount Alexander Sustainability Group
• We supported the Wararack zero-net emissions work, and look for opportunities to support many other local groups where our plans and strategies align such as DJAARA, YIMBY and Connecting Country
• These groups provide opportunities for residents to proactively get involved in climate action

We're looking for new opportunities

• We're looking for opportunities to offset operational greenhouse emissions locally, which will provide local benefits and positive biodiversity outcomes
• We continue to share opportunities through our Mount Alexander Shire Council sustainability newsletter, climate communications month and other project and event support
• We are participating in a Virtual Energy Network (VEN) to share excess solar energy across Council sites

We've made changes moving forward

• When procuring major plant equipment, we'll be looking at higher emission controls and improved fuel efficiency
• When upgrading our tools for outdoor workers, we choose electric over diesel or petrol -powered where possible
• We are implementing our Economic Development Strategy which is focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion through a ‘wellbeing economy’ approach

We contract service providers that use low-emissions products

• Where possible, we have been utilising opportunities to trial low-emissions products
• This includes recycled asphalt, old car tyres, recycled concrete, and using recycled and treated water for road construction and dust suppression

We've been upgrading our community facilities

• We've upgraded to energy efficient lighting at a range of recreation sites
• We've installed water harvesting and are considering environmentally sustainable design options where possible
• We maintain the solar arrays on Council buildings and are exploring battery storage options where feasible
• We are removing fossil-gas appliances and replacing with energy efficient electric options. A recent audit of all Council-owned buildings has helped the team to identify priorities for this transition

We're implementing our Active Transport Strategy 

• This includes annual Action Plans, aspirational mapping and an Active Transport External Working Group

We're using environmentally sustainable design

• Environmentally sustainable design elements will inform future Council buildings
• Opportunities are being sought to implement our Integrated Water Management Plan