Case studies
Councils who have greenhouse gas reduction programs in place
The following councils run greenhouse gas reduction programs. These range from small education programs, to large scale energy projects:
- South East Regional Energy Group
- Northam
- Hume City Council
- Hornsby City Council
- Bankstown City Council
Western Australia
Three shires in Western Australia have joined together to form the South East Regional Energy Group (SEREG) which aims to reduce both council and community greenhouse gas emissions. They have secured government money to employ a Regional Greenhouse Coordinator to help them implement their Regional Greenhouse Action Plan.
Under the Plan, there are a range of projects in place. In addition, the City of Gosnells have turned a former landfill site into a methane gas extraction plant and green waste recycling centre. There are also plans to establish a wind power generation on the site. The City of Armadale, also in the SEREG, has set up a trial to encourage residents to retrofit their houses to make them more energy efficient. Residents are being offered free energy audits which could save them money on their energy bills. In addition to the free energy audit, households receive a free energy retrofit pack including three low energy compact fluorescent lights, a door snake to reduce drafts, an energy smart thermometer, a shower timer and a worm farm.
The Town of Northam, with a population of just 6500, has established a program to retrofit weatherboard cottages in the area. The council has a display house demonstrating how the older houses can be turned into a comfortable, environmentally friendly and sustainable home, at reasonable cost. This scheme has many environmental benefits, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Northam Eco-Retro House is open for inspection to the community, workshops have been held to educate the community and education sessions are run. The project has resulted in far greater knowledge within the community on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by modifying an existing house.
New South Wales
Hume City Council has undertaken a number of community projects encouraging businesses, industry and residents to increase their knowledge of greenhouse issues and to retrofit their properties so they become more energy- efficient. The council has employed an Energy Technical Officer to undertake household energy audits, recommending appropriate equipment and retrofit actions and the Officer can undertake the work where necessary. The Officer also undertakes education activities, promoting the benefits of energy efficient techologies and answering questions from council staff and the community. In addition, the Council undertook a trial project where 9 local small businesses were assisted with information, tools and funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Hornsby City Council has developed a comprehensive energy performance contract, a cogeneration system on the library and an Education Action Plan. Council estimates that the Energy Performance Contract has netted Council savings of around $160 000pa and reduced energy and water use by around 20 per cent. The cogeneration project is expected to save around 250 tonnes of greenhouse gas a year and was developed in partnership with CSIRO and the Australian Greenhouse Office.
Bankstown City Council developed a greenhouse and energy efficiency education program () for all year 6 students in the municipality. The program explained global warming, the greenhouse effect and how to reduce household energy use. In addition, all students were presented with energy efficient light bulbs.
