Your help needed in creating a carbon neutral community

The Borough of Queenscliffe is inviting community members to get involved in the creation of a carbon neutral action plan.
Council’s Sustainability Officer, Jacqueline Wilson has been working with consultants to develop an action plan to assist Council in working towards carbon neutrality by 2013 and the Borough community by 2020.
“We have been collecting data on energy and water usage and waste generation from Council facilities and the wider Borough community to develop the Working Towards Carbon Neutrality Action Plan,” Ms Wilson said.
“This document will include two action plans – one for Council and one for the community. The consultants have produced a draft corporate plan that identifies Council’s greenhouse gas emissions and makes recommendations on how to reduce them.”
The corporate plan concentrates on the Council offices, Town Hall, Library and Visitor Information Centre, the four Council-operated caravan parks, Council’s fleet, water pumps, street lighting, plus recycling and waste from Council offices.
“The community action plan focuses on emissions from the wider Borough community including residents, businesses and schools and will identify activities that residents can take to lower these emissions,” Ms Wilson said.
“The plans will outline the actions already undertaken by Council to lower its emissions, plus include case studies highlighting sustainable measures adopted by members of the Borough community.
“I shall be collecting more case studies this week and would like to hear from businesses, community groups and residents who are actively taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint for inclusion in the plan.”
“Not only is the community action plan a great opportunity to recognize the efforts of the Borough community in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to date, it will be a fantastic tool for planning how we can work towards carbon neutrality by 2020.”
Ms Wilson said community support was critical to the plan’s success.
“It has been proven that the most successfully implemented carbon neutral plans have been where the community takes the lead, supported by the Council,” Ms Wilson said.
“It’s easy for everyone to get involved. We’ve already had input from community members, but would welcome further suggestions or ideas from people on how they believe they could reduce their carbon footprint in their home, business or local club.
“A phone call or email to me outlining their idea is the first step to being involved. Future involvement may be as simple as participating in a workshop to learn how to reduce water and energy usage, or committing to using your vehicle less, or starting a vegetable patch."

“I encourage residents, businesses and community groups to get involved in the creation of this plan to ensure it is tailor made to suit the Borough.”

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Carbon Neutrality Action Plan

A Carbon Neutral Action Plan Steering Committee, chaired by Cr Lloyd Davies,consisting five community members and Council’s Sustainability Officer was formed in February 2011.

Melbourne-based consultants, Euan Williamson and Liam O’Keefe from Creative Environment Enterprises were appointed in May 2011 to develop the action plan.

The “Working Towards Carbon Neutrality Action Plan” is now in development and will include two separate plans - a Corporate Action Plan and a Community Action Plan. The consultants have been collecting data on energy, water, transport and waste to determine the carbon footprint of Council and the Borough community.

A draft Corporate Action Plan, which outlines Council’s carbon footprint and highlights areas where reductions can occur is well underway. The final Corporate Action Plan will include actions Council can undertake to reduce its greenhouse emissions.

To assist us in the creation of the Community Action Plan, key community stakeholders of the Borough community were invited to contribute their suggestions for reducing the community’s carbon footprint for inclusion in a Community CNAP Discussion Paper.

The discussion paper will be presented by the consultants at a public workshop at the Town Hall on 16 August 2011 from 6.30pm.

Following this public workshop, the discussion paper and any additional suggestions raised at the public workshop will be reviewed by the steering committee and contribute to the DRAFT Community Action Plan. This draft action plan will then go on public display for one month in August/September 2011.

For more information please contact Jacqueline Wilson, Borough of Queenscliffe Sustainability Officer on 5258 1377 or email jacqueline.wilson@queenscliffe.vic.gov.au

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New face at the Borough

Jacqueline Wilson is the Borough’s new Sustainability Officer.
Ms Wilson comes to the Borough from the South Western Regional Waste Management Group in Hamilton where she worked with five councils in the delivery of their waste and sustainability strategies.
Her duties at the Borough will include developing and implementing environmental projects as outlined in the Council Plan and facilitating education programs and initiatives relating to energy saving and sustainability.
“I’m delighted by the level of enthusiasm that has already been demonstrated by this community for our environment and look forward to partnering with residents, community groups and schools to further raise awareness and deliver sustainability projects,” Ms Wilson said.
One of Ms Wilson’s first tasks since joining Council in May has been assisting in the development of a carbon neutral action plan for the Council and Borough community.
Reducing the level of carbon emissions in the Borough is a key strategy of the Sustainable Living Action Plan, which was adopted by Council in August last year.
“This community should be commended for its initiative in creating a carbon neutral plan and showing leadership in tackling greenhouse emissions at a local level,” she said.

 

 

 

 

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