Caboolture Shire Council
The Caboolture Shire is one of the fastest growing local government areas in Australia and reducing the Shire's greenhouse gas emissions is high on the agenda. The Council is committed to the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Australia program and implementing the Caboolture Local Energy Action Plan to address climate change at the local level.
A word from the Mayor
Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Community
The Council is working with the community to develop strategies and actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the actions underway include:
- Developing and delivering the Living Smart Homes program. The program is internet and workshops based and works with homeowners to improve their water, waste, energy and transport efficiency through learning modules. The program has been developed in partnership with Noosa Council, and details can be found at: www.livingsmarthomes.net.au.
- Teaching an innovative Energy Awareness Education Program for local schools on the greenhouse effect, renewable energy, energy conservation, energy production and use, and school energy audits.
- An annual Caboolture Shire Sustainable School Forum is held where students showcase their work over the last year on energy, water, waste and catchment management actions.
- Community information seminars on energy efficiency.
- Co-facilitating an annual Sustainability Fair with local community groups at the local environmental education centre.
- Actively promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation at community and Council organised Fairs/Expos.
- Development and distribution of informative brochures on home audits, renewable energy, energy conservation in and outside the home, solar passive design, the greenhouse effect and what Council is doing about climate change.
- Development of comic strips and a storybook with an environmental message from schools and day care centres.
- Promoting energy efficiency and conservation strategies through press releases.
- Promotion of energy efficient building design through the Councils Building Advisory Service with information on solar passive home design, renewable energy and energy audit fact sheets.
Corporate
The Council is implementing actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the actions undertaken or in process include:
- Introduction of a Council policy to purchase 4 cylinder vehicles for the Council fleet;
- Purchasing of LPG vehicles.
- Development of a Sustainable Home Caboolture with project partners under the Queensland State Government Sustainable Home Program.
- Energy Audit undertaken on 14 of Councils largest community facilities.
- Upgrading of streetlights to CFL's in an urban renewal project. These lights will be included in an Energy Efficient Streetlighting Project underway with Energex, Department of Energy, Brisbane City Council, Gold Coast City Council, Maroochy Shire Council, Ipswich City Council in a three year project.
- Changes to the paper supply contract so that only Australian office paper can be puchased.
- Changes to the contract for Council printer and copiers to now include a category on energy effciency and standby power usage.
- Energy Efficient retrofit of the Main Aministration Building focusing on lighting and the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)system.
- Energy Efficient retrofit of Council Libraries.
- Updating the Puchasing and Aquisitions Policy to include environmental considerations such as water conservation, energy efficiency and waste management.
- Replacement of old water pumps with more efficient variable speed drives.
- Installation of 5kw grid interactive PV system on Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre.
- Timers placed on car park exhaust fans to operate during opening hours.
- Purchase of efficient LCD screens over CRT screens.
- Replacing park lights in the central CBD with lower wattage and higher lux lights.
- Buildings are now fitted with energy effcient lamps and fluorescents.
- Revegetation of cleared areas and protection of existing vegetation through various programs including Voluntary Conservation Agreements, Land for Wildlife and Councils Bushland programs.
Future greenhouse abatement actions
- Implementing the Caboolture Local Energy Action Plan.
- Undertaking a study to identify the potential impacts of climate change on the Shire
More information
Contact: Evan Raymond
Web Address: www.caboolture.qld.gov.au
Updated: October 2007
CCP Facts
State: Queensland
Date joined:
November 2000
Current Milestone:
CCP Plus
Caboolture Regional Environmental Education Centre
Credit: Caboolture Shire Council