Blue Mountains City Council
Over the past 4 years the Blue Mountains community have been actively and creatively engaged in producing what has become a nationally and regionally and award winning 25-Year Sustainability Strategy for the whole of the LGA. Over 6000 people have been involved including residents, local businesses and community organisations. The central outcome of the strategy is Blue mountains residents living sustainably in a World Heritage environment. The strategy focuses on the Environment, People, Using Land for Living, Moving Around and Working and Learning. The key principles are now what guide our decision-making.
In developing a way forward, the Blue Mountains community (including Council) are responding to this strategy through a number of creative programs, some that tackle the issue of climate change. We are a City within a World Heritage environment, so we are aware of the importance of working towards more sustainable solutions for our unique city.
A word from the Mayor
Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Community
- Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, in conjunction with the Lawson Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Blue Mountains City Council and Integral Energy, are working to achieve energy efficiencies and long-term energy savings for the residents of Lawson (a mid mountains township in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney). Over 500 residents within the South Lawson study area have been contacted. Information gained from the survey will assist the Institute and the Council in achieving energy efficiency for all of Lawson. As greater efficiencies in terms of electricity management are demonstrated in Lawson, it is hoped they will be applied to reduce the costs for both households and businesses throughout the wider Blue Mountains region.
Travel
- Council is introducing a changeover of its vehicle fleet from 6 Cylinder to 4 Cylinder cars and environmental issues will be a weighting in the assessment of future fleet makeup. Council is beginning to encourage walking, riding and public transport as an alternative to driving. Active transport is a key initiative in the mountains particularly as we have 26 townships spread over 100km of road.
- Initiatives such as ‘Back On Your Bike’ skills and training workshops, distribution of cycle way maps and Council’s involvement in promoting bike week each year to further encourage our community to make more sustainable transport decisions.
Corporate
- In our current 2004-2008 Management Plan, we have a commitment “to reduce CO2 emissions through Energy Performance in Council building” and our core mission is ‘Working towards Sustainability”.
- Council has responded to requests from staff about assisting with sustainable transport options by providing a bike shed for staff commuters.
- Over the past 2 years Council embarked on a major project to significantly cut down energy consumption and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Performance Contact project commenced in June 2003. A new approach to finance and deliver sustainable outcomes for Council and the community.
- In the first year, the Energy Performance Contract achieved annual saving of:
- 134,441 kWh form lighting upgrade = 40 per cent energy saving in lighting
- reduced 136 tonnes of CO2 greenhouse gas emission each year, being equivalent to removing 30 cars form the road; and
- saved Council approximately $15,000 per annum in energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Future greenhouse abatement actions
- Council is committed to greenhouse gas abatement through our continuous sustainability education programs and encouragement in working together with our community. Council also has a number of projects on the horizon, including energy efficient lighting upgrades for streets, parks & sportsfields; community facilities energy audits, trialling a hybrid Toyota Prius car in our fleet, ride-train-ride initiative, subsidised train fare for staff, implementing a Bicycle Fleet Program within Council (based on the AGO bicycle fleet), community skills and training workshop ‘Back On Your Bike’, promoting Bike Week and the promotion of other alternative transport options.
- Council also have a commitment to learn from our peers within the local government and from the sustainability specialist that work and live in our vibrant and active community.
- Within the community, the township Blackheath in the upper mountains, is looking at reducing their energy outputs through The C.A.K.E. Club (Community and Kool/Klean Energy) project. Blackheath School, P&C, Chamber of Commerce, Neighbourhood Centre and a range of other groups in town are supporting this initiative to through their "Blackheath's not cold, it's Cool" project. In January 2007 Blackheath will host a Sustainability Festival commissioning leading performers around the country to produce works tackling issues of climate change which will then tour the country. The theme for January 2007 is "Cool Ideas for a Hot World".
More information
Contact: Vanessa Steele, Sustainability Coordinator
Web Address: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au
Updated: March 2006
CCP Facts
State: New South Wales
Date joined:
May 2005
Current Milestone:
Milestone 1