Over the last three years, Lake Macquarie Council has reduced carbon emissions by 1018 tonnes, which is the same as taking 255 cars off the road.Since starting its pollution reduction program in 2008, Council has met its ambitious targets, even exceeding them by 102 tonnes this year.
Lake Macquarie is one of the fastest growing cities in the Hunter Valley and one of the largest cities in New South Wales with a population approaching 200,000.
Mayor Greg Piper is pleased with the result of introducing the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target Policy in 2008
"Council has made significant progress in reducing our organisational carbon pollution," he said. "It is committed to improving resource efficiency and reducing carbon pollution while maintaining and improving services."
It has achieved this outcome through a range of measures including:
- installing solar hot water, site metering and shower timers at caravan parks
- upgrading of boilers at Charlestown Pool
- moving its vehicle fleet to smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles
- installing of 25kW of solar photovoltaics at its works depot, Landcare resource office, Toronto multipurpose centre, and Speers Point pool
- acquiring 15 per cent of GreenPower for Council’s largest energy consuming buildings.
General Manager Brian Bell said sustainability is a high priority for staff.
"There is a commitment across the organisation to achieving our pollution reduction targets," he said. "The beauty of this program is that it also reduces costs to the organisation, by improving the efficiency of our operations in terms of our fleet and building management."
For further information phone Manager Sustainability Alice Howe on (02) 4921 0337.
