Adelaide Recognising that increasing energy efficiency is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of reducing carbon emissions, Lord Mayor Michael Harbison considers that achieving an energy efficient city will be central to Adelaide’s business competitiveness and its ability to attract investment.

“Energy users in Adelaide generated 1.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions in 2006/07 and emissions have increased by 12 per cent since 1998. It is imperative that this trend be reversed to ensure that Adelaide plays its role at a local level to address this global challenge,” he says.

Goals

Adelaide City Council has recently released its Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2009– 2012 with one of the main outcomes being “an energy efficient city that maximises the use of renewable energy and local renewable energy generation”. The Council is also aiming to make its operations carbon neutral by 2020.

Energy efficiency incentives and projects

Sustainable 1000 – a business management initiative that aims to reduce the operating costs and environmental impacts of small businesses in regard to water, waste and energy resources. The program is run in Adelaide City Council and four other metropolitan councils.

The Adelaide Sustainable City Incentive Scheme – the scheme offers up to $3,000 for installing photovoltaic solar panels, up to $1,000 for installing a solar hot water system and up to $3,000 for installing a rainwater tank. Sydney

The City of Sydney considers that cities play a crucial role in reducing CO2, noting that while they cover only two per cent of the Earth’s land mass, they have over 50percent of the population and produce 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.

“When we consulted with the local community to develop our Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan, 97 per cent of people told us they wanted urgent action to address global warming,” says Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

Goals

The City of Sydney aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent by 2030, and increasing energy efficiency is a key part of achieving this goal.

Energy efficiency incentives and projects

Decentralised Energy Master Plan – the plan aims to eliminate the need for coal-fired electricity in the local government area, through local trigeneration plants and increasing the use of renewable energy sources to 25 per cent by 2020.

Powermate initiative – energy monitoring devices can be borrowed from local libraries to measure household efficiency. Residents can also attend seminars that offer simple suggestions on how to become more sustainable, or drop off e-waste on our regular collection days.

LED trial – a trial of low energy LED street lighting trial in conjunction with Energy Australia, which aims to reduce energy consumption by up to 50 per cent.

Darwin

The City of Darwin is currently developing its climate change policy and strategy as part of its Evolving Darwin Plan, which will no doubt include significant energy efficiency measures.

Energy efficiency is particularly important in the Territory, as it has a relatively small population of approximately 200,000 people and a high level of energy use. Currently, the majority of energy efficiency strategies in Darwin are being undertaken by the Northern Territory State Government.

Energy efficiency incentives and projects COOLMob – a community project, whose staff and volunteers work with households and the community to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions through improved home energy efficiency and reduced car usage. The Northern Territory Government is the major funding provider, while Darwin City Council and other groups have supported the project.

Energy Smart Rebate NT – a state government rebate to eligible households of up to $200 on selected energy saving items purchased by households in the Northern Territory. These energy saving devices, such as power boards, energy efficient light globes, timers, power usage meters, and fridge and freezer seals.

EcoBIZ NT – a free, six-step program and state government grant rebate scheme that enables Territory businesses to manage their bottom line by becoming more energy efficient. The program is aimed at providing small to medium businesses with individual and professional advice on energy and water saving opportunities.

Brisbane

Brisbane City Council says that energy efficiency has the potential to reduce its carbon footprint by between 5 and 20 per cent, while also saving money.

“Reducing our net energy use allows us to purchase a greater proportion of renewable energy,” says Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.

Goals

By 2026, Brisbane City Council aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent and achieve carbon neutrality for Brisbane City Council and Brisbane.

Energy efficiency incentives and projects

Green Heart Homes program – an incentive program that uses portable displays in public areas such as shopping centres and events throughout Brisbane, providing low-cost energy efficient lights, energy saving power boards, in-home energy monitors and personal advice to residents.

Council’s Sustainable Development Grants for Offices program – launched in 2007 to jump-start the green building market in Brisbane. Over the course of the program, up to $13 million in grants will be provided for new developments that achieve 5 Star Green Star Office As Built. Applications for the program closed on 30 June 2009.

Lord Mayor’s Sustainability Grants – provides approximately $1.3 million per year in funding, comprising grants of between $2,000 and $50,000, for local not-for-profit organisations to improve energy efficiency and greenhouse outcomes for their existing community facilities.

Perth

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi says that while the city is growing rapidly, it’s important that development is achieved in a sensitive way, using fewer resources to build and operate; refitting existing buildings where possible, while also providing a vibrant place that people want to visit and live.

“Energy efficiency will play a pivotal role is reducing our footprint and our use of resources,” says Lord Mayor Scaffidi.

Goals

Part of the City of Perth’s Strategic Plan 2029 is for the city to have a low carbon footprint, to have a green energy focus, and recognise the value of conserving resources.

Energy efficiency incentives and projects

The Elder Street carpark – a development that will be energy efficient, as well as support efficient modes of transport. Designed to allow for natural ventilation, the development includes efficient lighting such as LED signage, low energy globes connected to photo-electric cells with dimming capability, and controls to ensure lights are off when areas are not in use. In addition to regular vehicle bays, there is capacity for parking 60 motorbikes and 50 bicycles, as well as 12 bays for charging electric vehicles.

Designed by Hames Sharley architects, the carpark is currently under construction by Broad Construction. The total cost of the project is $33 million, and is expected to be completed in August 2010.

4.5 star NABERS Tenancy Energy rating for Council House – a commitment that has already seen significant changes to the building’s energy efficiency.

Melbourne

Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle acknowledges that energy efficiency is important for all capital cities, but says that Melbourne is already suffering the early effects of climate change through severe water shortages, and will be strongly affected in the future if greenhouse gas emissions aren’t reduced globally.

Goals

The City of Melbourne aims to achieve a 35 per cent reduction in residential greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 from 2006 levels.

Energy Efficiency incentives and projects

Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program – a collaboration between Melbourne City Council and the Clinton Climate Initiative to make

cost effective energy and water efficiency improvements to 13 of the City of Melbourne’s buildings, including the Town Hall, Council House 1, City Library, North Melbourne Town Hall and the City Baths. These buildings consume 70 percent of the council’s buildings’ energy.

The 1200 Building Program – a program for commercial buildings in the municipality, which aims to facilitate the retrofit of two thirds of the municipality’s commercial building stock (about 1,200 commercial buildings) by 2020. This is estimated to achieve a 38 per cent improvement in building energy performances, resulting in a total greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 383 kilotonnes of CO2e per annum.

Energy saver – it all starts at home – a program that encourages renters and home-owners to register for a free energy assessment and upgrade, and which offers free energy and water saving technology, including installation.

Sustainable Public Lighting Action Plan 2005-2010 – a five-year plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact of street lighting. The plan is targeting a 42 per cent emissions reduction by 2010 from base year levels in 1996/97.

Hobart

Tasmania’s primary source of electricity is hydro power, but drought has meant that energy efficiency is of particular importance for the state.

The drought has significantly impacted hydro dam levels, requiring electricity from Victoria to be imported via the Basslink undersea cable. As a result, the state has experienced a 2,200 per cent increase in electricity emissions and a 25 per cent increase in the price of electricity over the last two years.

“Given the dynamism of Tasmania’s energy landscape, the Council recognises the need to encourage greater energy efficiency not only of its own activities but also throughout its community and the region,” says General Manager of Hobart City Council Nick Heath.*

Goals

Following the Council’s abatement of landfill emissions, its emphasis is now on abatement through energy efficiency. Building on a 70 per cent reduction of council’s activities and assets emissions in 2009, the City of Hobart aims to achieve a further 30 per cent reduction from remaining emissions by 2020 from 2010 levels.

Energy Efficiency incentives and projects

The in-house Energy Reserve Fund ($50,000) – an initiative to encourage energy efficiency of the City of Hobart’s activities and assets, through wholly or partially funded projects that reduce Council’s greenhouse gas emissions or energy use.

Hobart City Council Solar Hot Water $500 rebate – introduced in 2007, the rebate also covers hot water heat pumps and is not restricted to the replacement of electric hot water systems. In insulation rebate and planning fee waiver is also available.

Total refurbishment of The Annex – the office wing at the rear of the Town Hall, known as The Annex, was constructed in 1962, and comprises a three storey office structure raised above a street level podium with a basement car park underneath. The exterior skin of the building has been fully insulated, the new opening windows have been glazed with low glare comfort glass and there are external sunshades to all new windows. The climate control system uses only fresh air, and a sophisticated heat exchange system uses treated effluent to provide energy and heat rejection as required.

*Due to the timing of Tasmanian Local Government elections, the General Manager of Hobart City Council Nick Heath was consulted for this article.

Canberra

Nearly a third of Canberra’s greenhouse gas emissions come from natural gas and electricity used in homes. The ACT Government has shown its commitment to reducing those emissions through one of the longest running residential energy efficiency programs in Australia, ACT Energy Wise.

Funded by the ACT Government, the program provides free advice on how to improve energy efficiency in homes. Targeting houses built before 1996, $30 energy audits by professional Home Energy Advice Team auditors are also available. Homeowners who spend at least $2,000 on energy efficiency improvements identified during the audit are eligible to receive a $500 rebate from the ACT Government, as well as a refund of the $30 audit fee.

The ACT Government also provides a rebate for installation of solar hot water services that replace electrical hot water services.