City aims to be model for other municipalities

Bendigo Advertiser
Friday 8/6/2007 Page: 12

CITY of Greater Bendigo council will attempt to set itself up as a model for other municipalities in combating climate change with a new benchmark green plan to guide its activities.

Bendigo council has adopted a new draft Natural Environment Strategy for 2007 to 2010 aiming to incorporate maximum climate changes response, natural conservation and improved resource management into its services and operations. The plan's objectives are making a 50 per cent reduction in corporate greenhouse emissions by 2020, utilising hybrid fleet cars and biodiesel truck trials.

It also includes alternative energy trials for landfill methane gas, solar cells on council buildings and extensive use of low energy council buildings and street lighting, to influence planning strategies to encourage alternative transport use to cars, ensure alignment with other major conservation bodies such as the North Central Catchment Management Authority and Department of Sustainability and Environment as well as investigate clearer potential impacts of climate change on Bendigo.

Cr Keith Reynard said while they had met 85 per cent of the 2001- 2006 plan's targets, the new plan had set standards and objectives even higher because the community awareness. "This is about reflecting a major change of focus in the community," Cr Reynard said. "We have shown leadership in this area and it is recognised by many councils around Australia." Cr Reynard argued that where federal leadership had failed on the climate change issue, the council could regain the initiative for change with a level of community consultation and interaction.

"15 years ago we led the world in solar energy, research and development and since then we have seen that innovation stifled." He said Bendigo's solar city bid, the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance and the renewable Energy conference to be held in Bendigo in September could set new benchmarks and ideas other regions could follow.

Cr Rod Fyffe said the new strategy followed the fact that Bendigo +25 Plan had nominated climate as the number one issue concerning the community.

"This EP blueprint will influence every part of the council's planning and assets management officers' thinking and indeed every member of our community." Cr Kevin Gibbons said the focus of the strategy was ensuring Bendigo was and continued to be a great place to live. "We want Bendigo to be a really lovely place to be, we want the best water to drink, the best air to breathe and to do that we need this plan," Cr Gibbins said.

Council's Green Plan, which has gained input from an umber of partners including Bendigo schools and community forums, will now be open for community comment before being releasing its final strategy.