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Council Rises To Global Issue

The Hon. John Thwaites, Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Water and Victorian Communities, has awarded Bass Coast Shire Council for its commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions through the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Program.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 28th September 2006 - Back to News

The presentation was made at the ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability – Australia/New Zealand’s Victorian Recognition Event: Local Government Action on Climate Change.

Cr Veronica Dowman represented Bass Coast Shire at the event which was attended by over 100 Victorian local, state and federal government representatives, and stakeholders.

"Council has been part of the CCP program since 2004," said Cr Dowman.

"We have a genuine commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the area."

Within the CCP program, councils work through a series of milestones to assess their local greenhouse impact, set goals to reduce that impact and implement local emission reduction projects.

Bass Coast received the award in the CCP Victoria Program for achieving Milestones 2 and 3 in the five-milestone program.

The Milestone 2 award recognises Council’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent for the community and 20 per cent for the Council by 2015.

The Milestone 3 award recognises Council for completing a Local Greenhouse Action Plan (LGAP). The LGAP supports a wide range of actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both Council and Community Sectors. An example of actions proposed within the plan include:

· Residential: Increasing public awareness of sustainable energy use by promoting information through brochures, council website, school and business programs.

· Industrial/Commercial: Encouraging community use of green power – that is, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass energy.

· Sustainable Transport: Implementing the VicHealth Walking School Bus program and continued development and promotion of a shared path (bike riders and walkers) to reduce transport emissions and promote health and well being.

· Waste: Encourage recycling, worm farms and compost heaps to reduce household waste. This will result in a reduction of the greenhouse gas methane which is concentrated in landfills.

The Chief Executive Officer of ICLEI-A/NZ, Wayne Westcott congratulated Bass Coast on the awards.

"CCP councils like Bass Coast Shire Council have truly embraced the principle of ‘think global, act local’ and are demonstrating that they can make a tangible difference in the area of climate change", said Mr Wescott.

"ICLEI-A/NZ, the Department of Environment and Heritage, and the State Government of Victoria congratulates Bass Coast Shire Council on its milestone achievements and looks forward to working with Council through the remainder of the program and beyond."

Council’s Environment Project Officer, Clare Landry said it was very encouraging to receive recognition of Council’s work.

"Local governments are becoming leaders in environmental issues.

"We are setting realistic targets and developing strategies that will result in tangible greenhouse gas reductions," said Ms Landry.

Council is seeking community input on its LGAP. The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, 11 October 2006. Submissions may be made available to the public.

Copies of the LGAP are available at Council’s Customer Service Centres in Wonthaggi, Cowes, Grantville and Inverloch or on Council’s website www.basscoast.vic.gov.au.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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