construction of new Early Years Hub at Gisborne included installation of a 5kW solar system, and a 5kW system was installed at each of Romsey, Macedon and Woodend kindergartens. The environmental and financial benefits of the solar panels at the Gisborne Shire Offices are outlined in Appendix 3. In 2016 the Alternative Technology Association (ATA) assessed the financial viability and environmental benefits of installing solar panels on 18 Council buildings, selected according to structural suitability and roof orientation. The feasibility of installing additional solar panels on the roof of the Gisborne Shire Office was then assessed in early 2017. The findings of the analyses and modelling are summarised in Table 3 below. TABLE 3: Key metrics for current and potential solar panel installations on Council buildings. Size Size (kW) Budget (from 2017-2018) Estimated Annual Savings Payback (yrs) Gisborne Shire Offices 30 39.7 ✔ ✔ ✔ Gisborne Shire Offices (additional 50kW) 50 67.5 $62,500 $7,200 9 Kyneton Sports Aquatic Centre 30kW 30 39.7 $40,000 $4,000 10 Kyneton Sports Aquatic Centre 99kW * 99 131 $121,770 $12,685 10 Gisborne Aquatic Centre 30kW 30 39.7 $40,000 $4,000 10 Gisborne Aquatic Centre 99kW * 99 131 $121,770 $12,485 10 Woodend Depot 30 39.7 $38,700 $4,087 9.5 Gisborne Mechanics Institute – Community Centre 20 26.4 $27,000 $3,230 8.5 Gisborne Library 10 13.2 $13,500 $1,581 8.5 Kyneton Mechanics Institute 10 13.2 $13,500 $1,166 11.5 Kyneton MCHC / pre-school** 5 6.6 $7,250 $511 14 Lady Brooks Kindergarten 5 6.6 $7,250 $355 7.8 Tony Clarke Reserve – Sports Centre 10 13.2 $13,500 $1,373 9.8 Macedon kinder 5 6.6 ✔ ✔ ✔ Riddells Creek MCHC / kinder 5 6.6 $7,250 $355 7.8
1.11 Energy Security and Battery Storage Investigate opportunities to battery storage of electricity at a suitable Council facility. Aim to ensure installation of solar panels will be compatible with potential connection to battery storage. Engineering and Projects 2018 - 2019 $$$ ??? 1.12 Large scale renewable energy generation Investigate opportunities for large scale renewable energy generation on Council land or roofs, whereby Council could produce power to offset demand from buildings, or lease the land to a community group or commercial energy provider for a large scale renewable energy project. Engineering and Projects, Finance 2018 - 2019 Current resources 1.13 Monitoring and Reporting and Promoting progress Analyse energy consumption and cost data to verify the environmental and financial benefits of undertaken to reduce greenhouse emissions from Council buildings, and promote benefits to the wider community. Communications, Strategic Planning and Environment, Engineering and Projects ongoing Current resources 2 Public lighting 2.1 Cost-shared street lights Continue to investigate the possibility of changing over streetlights to energy efficient lights, possibly through a regional partnership involving Powercor, VicRoads, relevant councils and other stakeholders. Engineering and Projects 2017 - 2019 TBD 2.2 Non-standard street lights Investigate the feasibility of converting non-standard / decorative lights to energy efficient lamps, accounting for feature lighting and for lights in new developments that will become the responsibility of Council. Engineering and Projects 2017 - 2019 TBD 2.3 Street lighting policy Update Council’s street lighting policy (Section 3.4 in Policy – Engineering requirements for infrastructure construction) to reinforce lighting output standards and regulations, and specify Council’s requirements for light types in new developments and as feature lighting. Engineering and Projects 2018 - 2019 Current resources 2.4 Outdoor metered lighting Identify the most energy efficient lighting for special outdoor uses like sportsfields, and plan to upgrade lighting for maximum energy efficiency Engineering and Projects, 2020 - 2021 TBD
Investigate the suitability and feasibility of the Commuter Club program for Council staff, or explore establishing similar incentives for alternative transport suited to staff travel patterns. 3.6 Reducing work travel Continue development of video conferencing facilities or other systems that support remote communications to reduce the need for travel between work sites for meetings. Information and Communications 2017 - 2019 $$ 3.7 Monitoring and Reporting on fleet management Continue to monitor emissions associated with fuel consumption, and measure the environmental and financial impacts of any changes introduced to fleet management. Operations, Finance, Strategic Planning and Environment ongoing Current resources 4 Amending Council processes 4.1 Power Withdraw the purchase of Green Power through Council’s energy supply contract. Re-assess progress towards the emissions target in mid-2020 to identify if purchase of Green Power will be needed to meet the reduction target. Finance, Strategic Planning and Environment Mid 2017 Mid – 2020 Current resources 4.2 Procurement Continue to develop and apply processes for ensuring environmental criteria are adequately addressed and assessed in the procurement of goods and services, for example, developing a checklist, reference guide or template for staff and providers of goods and services. Finance, Strategic Planning and Environment 2017 - 2019 Current resources 4.3 Investment of funds Continue enacting Council’s investment policy to reduce support to the fossil fuel industry. Finance 2017 - 2021 Current resources 4.4 Integrating climate change into decision making Investigate opportunities to internal procedures regarding budget planning to facilitate the integration of climate change into decision making across Council, particularly in regards to management of assets and delivery of services. For example, refine criteria for environmental consideration in templates for new initiative bids and capital works bids, Finance, Engineering and Projects, Operations, Strategic Planning and Environment 2017 - 2018 Current resources
4 – Recommended actions 2017-2021: with our community Action Lead Unit Resource Requirements Key Community Stakeholders C.1 A shared vision Promote the vision of a zero net emissions shire by 2050 as a shared council – community vision, consistent with the target for a zero net emissions Victoria. Strategic Planning and Environment Current resources Everyone in shire C.2 Continuing current work – residential sector Support and promote future community schemes for energy efficiency and renewable energy, including MASH. Strategic Planning and Environment, Communications Current resources residents C.3 Continuing current work – commercial sector Continue to promote Environmental Upgrade Agreements as a means of funding investment in energy efficiency in the commercial sector. Economic development and Tourism, Communications Current resources Commercial sector C.4 Continuing current work – statewide project Participate in the statewide Solar Savers project funded through the New Energy Jobs Fund. Work with the project reference group and project officers as relevant, and facilitate recruitment of residents for the program (scheduled for 2018) Strategic Planning and Environment Current resources Low income households C.5 Celebrating success and encouraging action Utilise existing communications channels such as Council’s website, eNewsletters, social and Fact Sheets to celebrate Council and community achievements, promote sustainable living (including promotion of ‘buy local’ and ‘reduce, re-use, recycle messages’) and promote Council’s support of TAKE2. Use these channels to promote wider community participation in the pledge program, customising messages to target audiences. Strategic Planning and Environment, Communications, relevant departments $ Nominated target audiences as appropriate
Inform Engage Facilitate Partner How Fact Sheets Workshops Council’s Community Funding Scheme Utilise Council buildings or land for renewable energy Social media Forums, including peer-to-peer discussions Loans through rate payments Financial or in kind support Council’s website Council’s business awards Community climate change planning at a local level Information sessions What Promote community programs such as solar bulk buy schemes (e.g. MASH) Promote emissions reductions in the business sector Energy Upgrade Agreements for commercial upgrades a revolving energy fund in partnership with the community. Provide sustainable living tips, including buying local and reducing consumption Sustainable living workshops, including through Neighbourhood Houses Solar Savers program that facilitates solar panel installations for low income households Promote wider community participation in TAKE2 Small scale community climate change plans and / or projects Promote Council emissions reduction activities and works Large scale community climate change plans and / or projects Promote success stories in the community Promote ESD principles to planning permit applicants and the general community Appendix 7: Community support initiatives cost benefit analysis