Mildura Rural City Council has cut its fuel consumption, public lighting power usage and overall greenhouse gas emissions over the past 12 months according to the organisation's latest Environmental Sustainability Report.
Councillor for Environmental and Sustainability Jodi Ewings said the annual report was a valuable tool to track the organisation's progress in slashing carbon emissions.
"It's pleasing to see the progress our organisation continues to make year after year to reduce our emissions and operate more sustainably," Cr Ewings said.
"This report serves as an important annual 'health check' while providing an insight into the benefits of the work we've been undertaking in recent years."
During 2023-24, Council made the following progress:
- reduced emissions by 894 tCO2-e
- a 9% decrease in public lighting electricity consumption (more than 98 megawatt hours)
- 13% reduction in fuel consumption
- directly engaged 2,768 residents in environmental and waste education
- diverted and recycled 12,173 tonnes of kerbside food and garden organics waste
- planted 1,829 trees in urban areas
Cr Ewings said it was encouraging to see greater gains in some areas over the past 12 months compared to the previous reporting period.
These areas included overall emissions, which were reduced by 894 tCO2-e compared to 650 tCO2-e the previous year, and a 13% reduction in fuel consumption, which can be attributed to the introduction of lower-emission vehicles in Council's fleet.
Council also planted more trees in urban areas (up by almost 700) and directly engaged well over 1,000 more residents in environmental and waste education.
Council's key sustainability areas are greenhouse emissions, energy, fleet, water, biodiversity, waste, climate change and community engagement.
Each of these areas has plans and strategies adopted by Council to improve the sustainability of Council operations, protect the natural environment, and reduce the impact of our community on the environment.
Each year Council aims to meet targets related to environmental sustainability as set out in various plans and strategies. This is Council's third year reporting on its greenhouse emissions as part of this annual report.
In 2020, Council became the 30th local government in Victoria, and the 94th in Australia, to declare a climate emergency and continues to strive to set an example of responsible environmental management.
To read the report visit mildura.vic.gov.au/Services/Environmental-Sustainability
