A zero-emissions shire

Council is committed to reducing our operational greenhouse gas emissions and reaching zero-net emissions by 2025.

We're doing this through a number of projects and initiatives.

In November 2024 we asked for your feedback on our community engagement platform, on how we offset residual emissions from 2025 through our draft Carbon Offsetting and Drawdown Policy. Your comments are currently being analysed and will inform any changes made to the draft Policy, which will be outlined during a Council Meeting in early 2025.

We’re continuing to make some big changes as an organisation to reach our target and look forward to sharing the final policy once endorsed by Council.

The draft Carbon Offsetting and Drawdown Policy can be viewed here.

We use 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, and an overnight charger has been installed in the Castlemaine Civic Centre car park

We're working on a fleet of electric vehicles

• We're in the process of developing an Electric Vehicle Transition Plan for the Council fleet, and have purchased our first electric vehicle in 2022, a Nissan Leaf

We're capping 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 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 support the Wararack zero-net emissions work, and look for opportunities to support many other local groups where our plans and strategies align
• 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 jobs and positive biodiversity outcomes

We're making 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're looking at low-emissions products

• Where possible, we're looking for 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're upgrading our community facilities

• We've upgraded lighting at a range of recreation sites
• We've installed water harvesting and have increased natural light where possible
• We maintain the solar arrays on Council buildings and we're gradually upgrading old gas appliances to energy efficient electric options. A recent audit of all Council-owned buildings has helped the team to identify priorities for environmental upgrades

We're working on a Walking and Cycling Strategy

• Our Walking and Cycling Strategy is currently under review
• The review aims to increase active transport, reducing our reliance on fossil fuel powered transport

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