Steps Towards Sustainability
The Shire of Mundaring has strong working relationships with members of the local community working together for active bushland management, landcare and catchment activities which habe been an integral part in the successful restoration and conservation of a wide range of physical environments in the Shire.
GREEN HOUSE GAS REDUCTION
Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Program
The Cities for Climate Protection (CCP ™ ) program is an international campaign established by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) to assist Local Governments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their own activities and from their communities. ICLEI initiated the CCP ™ program in response to the widespread scientific agreement that the global climate is changing because of human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases
In response to this global problem and at a local level, the Shire of Mundaring joined the CCP™ Program in November 2000. It committed to the reduction of greenhouse gases in both council (corporate) and community activities. As part of their greenhouse action plan the Shire has undertaken several initiatives including, developing an energy team, utilising energy efficient lighting and office equipment as well as undertaking tree planting to offset emissions produced by council vehicles. To date, these actions have resulted in a total Greenhouse Gas abatement of approximately 1000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions per annum.
The Shire of Mundaring is part of the Perth Solar City consortium seeking Federal Government funding from the Solar Cities program. If the bid for funding is successful, this will form a major part of the 2006/07 Corporate and Community Greenhouse Action Plan.
CCP is a campaign of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and provides a framework for Local Government and their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Council activities and the community as a whole.
Click here to view the Community Greenhouse Action Plan (2001) [410Kb].
Click here to view the Shire's CCP Corporate Action Plan (2002) [7MB, ZIP].
Click here to view technical appendices of the Shire of Mundaring Corporate Greenhouse Implementation Program
WATER CONSERVATION
Water Campaign
The Water Campaign (WC™) is an international freshwater management program developed by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). The program's aim is reduction of water consumption and improvement of water quality. The Shire of Mundaring joined the Water Campaign™ in October 2004 in this global effort and to reinforce its existing pro-active stance towards water conservation.
The initiatives for the Local Government (corporate) and community have included installation of water efficient bathroom appliances in Shire buildings, water efficient practises in parks and gardens and the reuse of waste-water for irrigation. In addition, it also acts to manage waste, herbicide usage, erosion and sedimentation. The Shire also encourages sustainable water management in the community through water sensitive policies and controls in residential developments. Residents of the Shire are also given educational material on how they can be involved in managing waste and their land in order to bring about a positive impact on water conservation.
As a result of the Shire's Water Campaign efforts, in 2002/03 compared to 2000/01, there was a reduction of water consumption by 46.2% (65,461 kl) in the corporate sector. The total community water consumption also decreased by 22% from 5,573,138kl to 4,373,488kl in the same financial year.
Click here to view the Water Campaign Action Plan (2006) [5MB, ZIP]
AUSTRALIAN HOMES TO BENEFIT FROM GREEN LOANS ROLLOUT
Environment Minister, Peter Garrett said Australian homeowners will be able to make their homes more energy and water efficient with 1000 home sustainability assessors ready to begin work and credit providers signed up to commence the rollout of the Green Loans Program from July 1.
“Through Green Loans we are making it easier for 360,000 Australian homeowners to learn what they can do to make their homes more energy efficient from an accredited assessor.
The fact is that for many households the assessor will identify simple, low-cost actions like changing light globes, sealing draughts and repairing leaking taps.
However, there will also be larger-scale recommendations, many of which can now be adopted at a reduced or zero cost thanks to the Government’s unprecedented investment in energy efficiency – namely installing solar PV or solar hot water or ceiling insulation. Solar hot water and insulation are two of the most cost effective energy efficient changes household can make.
And now, with the launch of Green Loans, we’re also providing the opportunity for householders to access up to $10,000 for other alternate changes, enabling them to be well and truly equipped for a low pollution future.
Mr Garrett said in light of the Government’s $4 billion investment in energy efficiency, lower interest rates and major shifts in the global financial markets, some changes had been made to the scheme to ensure that it is better focused:
Household assessments for 360,000 households will now come at zero cost and will no longer be tied to the loan
1. Loans of up to $10,000 will now be interest free for the first four years
2. The Government will reduce the number of loans available to 75,000 over the five year life of the scheme.
With more than 300,000 households now able to access the solar hot water rebate and 2.9 million homes eligible for free ceiling insulation and more solar panels going on more roofs than at any other time in the nation’s history, these are sensible changes to the Green Loans program which acknowledge that many homeowners won’t need a loan to make big changes to improve their energy efficiency.
Trained assessors will begin providing free in-home assessments and advice on heating, cooling, lighting, hot water and water efficiency in every capital city and two regional locations from next week. Loans and the full program will commence nationwide from July 1.
I am pleased to announce the first five of our financial partners: Melbourne based winner of a 2005 Banksia Award MECU, the largest community based financial institution in Sydney and the Central Coast Community First Credit Union, Queensland’s Maleny Credit Union, industry-based Old Gold Credit Union Co-op and the latest to sign up is the New England Credit Union with over 60, 000 members in New South Wales.
My Department is also in negotiations with a number of other financial providers and I expect to be able to announce further details soon.”
Minister Garrett said home owners wishing to participate in the Green Loans Program follow three steps:
1. Register for a free home sustainability assessment
2. Receive your tailored home sustainability assessment report
3. Choose your home sustainability actions which may include applying to a financial partner for a Green Loan
For more information on the Green Loans Program including a full list of eligibility guidelines visit www.environment.gov.au/greenloans