Gold Coast City Council

Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Community greenhouse gas emissions are increasing in line with rapid population increases and economic growth. Increased use of electricity is outstripping energy reduction measures. Of particular note is the increased use of domestic air conditioning and other household appliances. Transport related emissions are also increasing, in line with increased traffic and traffic congestion on the Gold Coast.
Energy use, and associated greenhouse gas emissions are beyond the direct control of Council, however, Council has been involved in numerous projects aimed at reducing community greenhouse gas emissions, for example, promotion of natural gas reticulation via an agreement with Energex, promotion of sustainable housing, in particular working with the State Government to develop new standards of energy efficiency for housing, give-away promotion of compact fluorescent lamps and AAA showerhead retrofit programs. In addition the greenhouse gas abatement from landfill gas related electricity generation is increasing.

Council is continuing its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its own operations and assisting the community with greenhouse gas reduction. Council's own greenhouse gas emissions represent approximately 1/100th of the City’s emissions. Council clearly has greater control over its own energy use and related greenhouse gas emissions than over the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of the City. Council's CCP commitments are as follows:
- Council – Before the year 2010 greenhouse gas emissions from Council's own operations, measured on a per-resident basis, shall be 20 per cent below the 1997 emissions level.
- Community – Before the year 2010 greenhouse gas emissions from the overall Gold Coast community, measured on a per-resident basis, shall be 10 per cent below the 1997 emissions level.
- To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our own operations Council has undertaken projects such as: improved power management on Council’s computers, in particular installing energy efficient flat screen LCD monitors; ongoing purchase of green power; energy audits on several Council buildings and the installation of a mini hydro systems to capture the energy associated with water release from Hinze Dam. In addition we are investigating energy performance contracting for several Council buildings and the use of LED traffic signals.

Contact: Evan Thomas
Web Address: www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Updated: July 2005

State: Queensland
Date joined:
November 1998
Current Milestone:
CCP Plus