Six years ago, Brimbank council set an ambitious target to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2022.
So far, a $485,000 co-generation plant has been installed at Sunshine Leisure Centre that reduces electricity bills by about $60,000 a year, and almost 12,000 energy efficient lights have been installed across 17 Brimbank suburbs, among other energy saving measures.
The latest initiative to reduce emissions was unveiled last week in Delahey, when the community centre’s new solar panels were switched on.
Their installation is expected to reduce the Delahey Community Centre’s carbon footprint by 65 per cent, saving about $4700 in energy costs each year.
Brimbank councillor Bruce Lancashire said 2017 would be a big year for greenhouse reductions, “with an additional 302kW of solar capacity and multiple energy efficiency initiatives to be implemented at council buildings, including at Sydenham Library and Community Hub”.
He said in 2015-16, the council’s greenhouse gas emissions were 20 per cent less than in 2011, “putting us well on the way to achieving our ambitious Greenhouse Reduction Strategy target”.
The council will review its greenhouse reduction strategy in 2017-18 with input from the community.
“It’s good to keep this in mind as we will be encouraging as much of the community as possible to get involved,” Cr Lancashire said.
