The City replaced 14,000 residential streetlights and 1,300 main road streetlights with energy efficient LED lights in the last financial year, as part of one of the largest upgrade programs of its kind in Victoria.
The conversion project, which will see the LED luminaires used in all of the municipality's 25,000-plus streetlights and save more than 8,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, is just one of the achievements showcased in the City's 2022-2023 AnnualReport.
The organisation's operational carbon emissions dropped 29 percent and our electricity usage generates zero emissions after signing a 10-year contract to source renewable energy. Another 12 new electric vehicles were also added to the City's fleet.
A total of 10,214 mattresses were collected, with all recyclable materials directed to recycling businesses. The City offers residential properties two mattress and two hard waste collections each financial year.
We supplied 240 tonnes of high-quality compost to community gardens and not-for-profits and held two community compost giveaway days for residents to collect free samples. The compost was made from the contents of green waste bins and processed at our very own Anakie Organics Processing Facility.
Another initiative aimed at avoiding and reducing waste was a relaunch of our popular Modern Cloth Reusable Nappies Subsidy Program in partnership with Cloth and Crown, offering subsidised re-useable nappy packs.
The sculptural Dell Eco Reef was installed at Clifton Springs featuring 46 innovative 3D printed reef modules, to assist in reducing erosion and future impacts of sea level rise while providing a visitor attraction.
We implemented all phase one projects for Sparrovale-Ngubitj yoorree Wetlandsincluding major drainage infrastructure works, pest control and protection of threatened flora and fauna. The 500-hectare nature reserve in Charlemont is home to a diverse range of wildlife and section one opened this financial year to the public.
Efforts to increase the region's tree canopy included planting 3,016 street and park trees and 4,000 tubestock, while our team assessed 475 Environmentally Sustainable Development planning applications.
Three local businesses whose projects demonstrated clean technology and circular economy solutions (including home and business electrification and the use of recycled waste in construction) shared in $50,000 in Cleantech & Circular Economy Grants from the City.
In Waurn Ponds, we've been utilising recycled red brick, tree mulch and bitumen, compost from our recycling facility, salvaged railway sleepers and rubber from old tyres to create low maintenance roundabout landscapes.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
Sustainability is a key theme of Our Community Plan 2021-2025 and a strong focus of our community's 30-year Clever and Creative vision.
Council and the City's ongoing commitment towards improving environmental sustainability is in response to community feedback and need, and we are excited to keep making important strides in this space.
By supporting the needs of our natural environment, taking climate action and reducing emissions and waste, we are creating a healthier, resilient and more attractive region for our community.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken
The City was building on the achievements in environmental sustainability this financial year and aligning programs and initiatives with social and economic growth.
We are passionate about supporting businesses and community groups with grants, increasing the circular economy, finding innovative solutions and reducing our impact on the environment.
I encourage community members to look over our Annual Report to get insights into the varied work staff do on a day-to-day basis to serve the community and how we are performing against the annual budget.
