This initiative supports the delivery of Council's Child and Family Health services, while reducing emissions and demonstrating a commitment to environmental leadership.
On any given day, a single MCH nurse may travel up to 140 kilometres to provide care to families with new babies. Last financial year, 363 babies were born in the Surf Coast Shire and visited at home by MCH nurses.
A total of 1,456 children aged 0-6 years accessed the MCH service last year, either through home visits or at one of the centres in Torquay, Winchelsea, Anglesea, Moriac, and Lorne.
In line with the Climate Emergency Response Plan, Council has made a commitment to move to all electric passenger vehicles by 2028 and this is the first step in reaching this goal. The Council fleet team committed to continuing to reduce CO2 emissions in light fleet, small plant and heavy plant.
The approved passenger vehicles for Council are now Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and Toyota Corolla Hybrid, these vehicles save approximately 35% of CO2 emissions compared to a petrol equivalent.
Along with improving our utilisation of passenger vehicles, we have managed to save approximately 5,377 litres of fuel in the 2023-24 financial year, compared to the 2022-23 year.
Mayor Councillor Liz Pattison said, "incorporating EVs into our MCH services allows us to continue delivering support to Surf Coast Shire families while actively contributing to a healthier environment. As part of our recently updated 2023-2025 Climate Emergency Action Plan, we have an enhanced focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pursuing renewable energy."
"The introduction of EVs is a key step in our broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and demonstrate environmental leadership. By transitioning to EVs, we are making a direct impact on reducing our carbon footprint, supporting our environment goals.
"Our aim is to transition all Council vehicles to electric to be a part of a sustainable future for the Surf Coast Shire community," she concluded.
