Sutherland Shire Council
Sutherland Shire Council has been recognised for its lead role in the conservation of energy and water resources by ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability - Oceania) with awards being presented for achievements in reaching Milestone 4 Corporate in the International Water Campaign (the first Council to do so in Australia) and CCP Plus in the Cities for Climate Protection program.
As a result of its actions Council has achieved water savings of over 66,000 kl through retrofits, installation of rainwater tanks and has pursued reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through transport initiatives that target travel behaviour and reduce car dependency. These include: the trialling of bus services and incentives, production of walking guides, development of cycleways and pedestrian footpath networks, provision of bus shelters and accessibility mapping.
Council's ongoing commitment to sustainable water usage and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is demonstrated in our Environment Fund budget for 2005/06 with the allocation of $200,000 for further water conservation measures and $130,000 for transport initiatives that include bus shelters.
A word from the Mayor
Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Community
- Supply of green waste and paper recycling program allowing diversion of waste from landfill, including education programs within the community.
- Council's mulching program enabling green waste from residents that would normally be taken to landfill to be mulched and returned to residents for use in their garden.
- Council's support of Easy Being Green to encourage the installation of energy efficient light bulbs and water saving shower heads in the community.
- Council's support of the Fridge Buy Back Scheme where residents can have an older/2nd fridge removed and receive payment for it encouraging the community to get rid of older energy inefficient fridges.
- Community education for example at the Leader Home Show (see photo).
Travel
- Implementation of an incentive to Council staff to encourage rail travel.
- Construction of cycle ways and corresponding cycle maps within the Shire.
- Implementation of the Active Transport Strategy to encourage the community to reduce car dependency in the Shire.
- Installation of bus shelters.
- Integration of transport and land use activity in Local Environmental Planning Instruments.
- Use of low sulfur diesel fuel to reduce particulate emissions.
- Installation of bicycle lockers for Council staff use (see photo).
Corporate
- Retrofitting of the Administration Building with energy efficient lighting, power correction factor, motion sensors, timers etc.
- Installation of a cogeneration plant at Sutherland Leisure Centre.
- Provision of recycling bins in Council staff kitchens.
- Reduction in number of 6 cylinder and increase in number of 4 cylinder vehicles in Council's corporate fleet.
- Purchase of energy efficient star rated office equipment (printers, laptops etc).
- Working towards a paperless office.
- Production of Council's Green Purchasing Policy.
Future greenhouse abatement actions
- Investigation of employee commute rebates for car pooling using work vehicles.
- Investigation of a rebate for swimming pool covers.
- Continue to audit and upgrade street lighting.
- Continue Green Power purchasing.
- Pilot program for communities/streets to improve their sustainability and environmental awareness.
- Continue to upgrade Council's vehicle fleet with more fuel efficient vehicles and more environmentally friendly fuels.
More information
Contact: Beth Innes, Environmental Scientist
Web Address: www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au
Updated: April 2007
CCP Facts
State: New South Wales
Date joined:
1999
Current Milestone:
CCP Plus
Council display at the Leader Home Show
Credit: Sutherland Shire Council
Council bike lockers
Credit: Sutherland Shire Council
Improving Water Quality
Artificial Wetland, Engadine
Credit: Sutherland Shire Council
Providing Bicycle Parking Facilities
Encouraging greater use of sustainable transport modes
Credit: Sutherland Shire Council