This section provides information on some of the activities Wyndham City Council had undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from both its operations as well as the wider community. For more information on Council’s approach to reducing GHG emissions please refer to Wyndham’s Greenhouse Action Plan at the bottom of this page.
Cities for Climate Protection
Wyndham City Council joined the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) in 2002. The CCP is an innovative milestone based program that helps local government and their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the environment. Wyndham Council has achieved Milestone 5 of the five Milestone program.
Energy Capture from Refuse Disposal Facility (RDF)
In 2001, Council entered into an agreement with ENERGEX to generate electricity from landfill gas produced by decomposing waste at the Wests Road Refuse Disposal Facility (RDF). Since the beginning of this project over 6.2 million cubic metres of landfill gas has been captured and converted to approximately 10,540 megawatt-hours of electricity. This is enough electricity to supply 1,740 Wyndham households for a whole year and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20,350 tonnes annually.
Greenfleet
Greenfleet is a not for profit organisation committed to reducing the impact of greenhouse emissions from Australian transport. Greenfleet provides individuals and organisations with the opportunity to offset the emissions produced by their vehicles through tree planting. Wyndham City Council has been a Greenfleet subscriber for two years, helping to reduce the impact Council’s fleet vehicles have on the environment. Wyndham has also benefited from having trees planted throughout the municipality.
Green Power
Electricity purchased to power Wyndham’s streetlights accounted for approximately 46% of Council’s annual greenhouse gas emissions in 2004/05. To reduce these emissions, Council will purchase 50 per cent (increasing from 33%) of this electricity from renewable energy sources, known as Green Power. This action will reduce Council’s greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 4,000 tonnes per annum.
Sustainable Public Lighting Initiative (SPLI)
Public lighting costs the Victorian local government sector approximately $50 million annually and is the largest single component of local government energy costs and greenhouse pollution. This initiative will trial alternate lighting technology in an effort to identify more energy and cost effective methods of lighting public spaces. Across Victoria there are 19 demonstration projects. Other municipalities involved in demonstrations include Melton Shire, Whittlesea City and Hume City. Wyndham’s demonstration projects will be undertaken in three estates - Manor Lakes, Rose Grange and The Greens Estate. The following organisations have been involved in the development and implementation of the project: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria, Powercor Australia Ltd, Dennis Family Corporation and Devine Homes.