Geelong Advertiser
Wednesday 28/5/2008 Page: 12
THE City of Greater Geelong will aim for an ambitious 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2010 as part of a corporate strategy aimed at tackling climate change. The city council has allocated a preliminary $350,000 to the project and senior staff must now meet key performance indicators in order to make the target. Environment portfolio holder Cr Tom O'Connor said the council had to reduce emissions by 9627 tonnes - the annual energy use of almost 3000 homes - to reach the target.
A reduction in energy use would put provide long-term financial savings for the council and would also put it in a better financial position if a national carbon tax was introduced. Some of the actions proposed include updating council strategies and policies to ensure all decisions consider climate change, including sea-level rise and impacts on Geelong's built and natural assets.
The council will also install solar arrays on the National Wool Museum, micro hydro and wind turbines and solar lights at high profile locations. Cr O'Connor said he didn't agree with criticisms by environmental groups that measures should have been in place years ago.
"They can say what they like but we've done an enormous amount of work over the last two years and this is a big target which we are very committed to," he said. "Our decisions have taken into account climate change prior to this but this is about formally adopting it into our planning framework." Cr O'Connor said the council would buy energy-tracking software and energy-efficient equipment, plus change fuel types on council trucks and vehicles. He said City Hall was considering changing to hybrid cars.
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