Mildura Rural City Council has cut its fuel, electricity and water usage, and slashed the amount of organic waste going to landfill among key achievements outlined in its latest annual Environmental Sustainability Report.
The report demonstrates Council's ongoing commitment to managing the environment in a sustainable way, and how the organisation is responding to the climate emergency.
Councillor for Environment and Sustainability Jodi Reynolds said electricity, fleet, water, biodiversity, waste and community engagement were key sustainability areas for the organisation, each of which has its own plans and strategies.
"These plans and strategies not only outline how we intend to improve our sustainability, but set targets for us to achieve," Cr Reynolds said.
During 2020-21, Council made the following progress:
- cut electricity consumption for buildings and facilities by 3.3%
- cut fleet fuel consumption by 3.8%
- reduced water consumption by 8%
- significantly increased municipal waste recovery from 29% to 73%
- engaged more than 1,800 residents in environmental and waste education
- controlled rabbits and weeds on over 1,200 kilometres of roadsides.
Cr Reynolds said Council also implemented several major initiatives during 2020-21 that in some cases have had a transformative impact on Council's environmental footprint.
These initiatives included signing on to the Victorian Energy Collaboration with 45 other Victorian Councils as part of the largest ever emissions reduction project undertaken by local government in Australia.
By doing so, 100% of the electricity that Council uses is now generated by 100% renewables.
Council introduced a kerbside food and garden organics collection service which has slashed the amount of organic waste going to landfill by thousands of tonnes.
Other measures included:
- installation of two electric vehicle charging stations as part of the transition of Council's fleet to zero emission vehicles
- installed 17 soil moisture monitoring systems at an additional 14 green spaces, including sporting ovals, urban parks and other green spaces to improve irrigation efficiency
- installed irrigation central control systems at an additional 19 green spaces to increase irrigation efficiency
- planted 5,525 native plants on Council-managed land to improve biodiversity.
The progress outlined in the 2020-21 Environmental Sustainability Report builds on the significant momentum Council has generated since becoming the 30thlocal government in Victoria, and the 94thin Australia, to declare a climate emergency.
To access the report visit mildura.vic.gov.au/Environment
