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Local Greenhouse Action Plan

Greenhouse Action Plan

Council prepared its Greenhouse Action Plan through its involvement in the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Program. The CCP Program operated on a 5-milestone framework, which enabled Council to strategically identify sources and levels of greenhouse gases produced within its own operations and by the community; and to prioritise and implement actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the LGA.

The Greenhouse Action Plan aims to reduce Council’s 2002 emission levels by 10% by 2012, and to assist the community to stabilise its 2001 emission levels by 2010.

An Environmental Sustainability Team has been established within Council to oversee the implementation of the plan’s actions.

Some of the greenhouse gas reduction initiatives undertaken by Council since the inventory baseline year include:

Council Initiatives

  • Progressive replacement of 36W fluorescent light tubes with lower-wattage tubes in Council’s administration buildings.
  • Progressive replacement of CRT monitors with LCD monitors, Desktop PCs with Laptops & HP Thin Clients.
  • Replacement of the oil-fired boiler with a heat pump hot water system at the Old Bar Caravan Park.
  • Replacement of some of Council's 6-cylinder vehicles with 4-cylinder vehicles.
  • Implementation of an office paper & co-mingled recycling system.
  • Purchase of recycled paper and remanufactured printer cartridges.
  • Installation of lighting controllers and hot water frequency switches at its administration building.
  • Implementation of energy saving measures at the Manning Aquatic & Leisure Centre including pool blankets, window tint, glass partitioning and contruction of an insulation shelter to protect the outdoor equipment used to heat the indoor pool

Community Involvement

Individual households create almost one-fifth of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Most is produced by energy used for home heating and cooling, water heating and private transport. There are 6.5 million households in Australia, and each produces on average 16 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year. Simple changes to our everyday activities can save 3 or more tonnes of greenhouse gases each year - and save ordinary families hundreds of dollars.

What You Can Do

  • Seal off draughts around windows and doors
  • Close off unused fireplaces
  • Wear warmer clothing instead of using extra heating
  • Keep doors to unused rooms closed
  • Fix dripping hot water taps
  • Turn off hot water system if the house is unoccupied for three days or more
  • Use cold water cycles when washing clothes
  • Ensure the rear of the fridge/freezer is well ventilated
  • Locate the fridge/freezer away from heaters and/or external walls
  • Not over or underfill the fridge/freezer
  • Optimise use of the oven and stove top, by trying to cook things at the same time
  • Thaw food naturally before cooking
  • Always use lids on pots and pans
  • Ensure saucepans have flat bottoms and that their size matches the hot plate
  • Not leave appliances on standby - turn everything off at the wall
  • Wash dishes by hand
  • Turn lights off when a room is unoccupied
  • Make sure the sensitivity of security lighting is correctly set
  • Move furniture to maximise use of natural daylight
  • Wash clothes only when there is a full load

Climate Change Australia

Climate Change Australia, has developed a series of brochures, which suggest other actions you can take to reduce greenhouse emmissions.

Climate Changing Your Garden
Climate Changing Your House
Climate Changing Your Travel
Climate Changing Your Workplace

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has more tips and advice.

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