Randwick City Council
Randwick Council is very aware of the risks and challenges facing our community from the threat of global warming. There are increasing concerns raised by eminent commentators that climate change poses the most serious threat to our quality of life over coming decades.
A word from the Mayor
Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Community
- Following the free distribution of 55,000 energy efficient globes to Randwick residents over a 3 month period, Council initiated the Randwick "Home Energy Makeover", launched in September 2006, providing residents with a 4 step process to making a tangible difference to their household energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These steps include: changing to GreenPower, taking the Home Energy Pledge, receiving a free Home Energy Audit, and receiving Home Energy Rebates to install approved energy saving devices. The scheme is targeting 1000 households with the Pledge, 500 homes for the free audit and 250 households with the Home Energy Rebate.
- Council also runs regular Sustainable Living Workshops for residents, showcases its own energy and water saving measures in a series of Open Days, and organises a major EcoLiving Fair as part of World Environment Day each year.
Travel
- Late in 2006, Council agreed to support establishing a community carshare for Randwick through GoGet Carshare. There are now 4 community car share vehicles in Randwick for residents to use, plus Council's financial support provides driving credits for staff to use the vehicles.
- Preferential parking for hybrid and carshare vehicles are being installed.
- Council has provided 4 corporate bicycles available for staff to use for meetings or on-site visits and has reviewed its Bicycle Plan and is encouraging much wider take up of cycling opportunities within the City.
- Council is organising a major community bike ride for Earth Day, 2007.
- There are a number of hybrid, LPG and smaller vehicles in Council's fleet and further incentives are to be implemented providing staff with yearly public transport tickets.
Corporate
- Council has a major Greenwaste and Household Recycling facility and is taking greenwaste from a number of neighbouring Councils for processing and supplying quality assured products to bulk garden suppliers and for Council's own use in parks and gardens.
- Late in 2006, Council instigated an emissions trading scheme for local government in NSW and following a workshop held on March 5, 2007 is working to progress this initiative by the end of 2007.
- Council programs have seen over $150,000 of solar panels installed at the main Depot with a continuing program for the next 3 years. Solar hotwater systems have been installed in high use amenity areas including the Depot, the 5-pool Aquatic Centre, and the beach amenities at Maroubra Beach.
Future greenhouse abatement actions
- Council has subscribed to the comprehensive PlanetFootprint program for third party delivery and analysis of Council's energy and water consumption for historical and current consumption patterns.
- Late in 2005, Council approved a 20 percent energy and water reduction target for Council operations and is currently working with 2 neighbouring Councils on a $1.9M, 3-year project aimed at improving the understanding and application of the region's ecological footprint calculation completed by the University of Sydney in early 2006.
- A Building Management System is currently being installed at Council's Administration Building with capacity to expand to other high energy using sites.
- Council submitted the first local Government Energy Savings Action Plan to the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability, six months ahead of time and is now progressively implementing energy saving actions identified in the Plan.
More information
Web Address: www.randwick.nsw.gov.au
Updated: October 2007
CCP Facts
State: New South Wales
Date joined:
2003
Current Milestone:
Milestone 4