Published on 19 May 2021
The Borough of Queenscliffe is one of forty-six Victorian Councils to sign on to the Victorian Energy Collaboration, the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia.
Beginning on 1 July 2021, the VECO will power 45 per cent of all Victorian Councils’ electricity requirements with renewable energy, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. By joining the project, The Borough of Queenscliffe will power 100% of its total electricity use with renewable energy, including street lights, Council offices, caravan parks and the Town Hall. Mayor Ross Ebbels said the project demonstrated Council’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
“The Borough of Queenscliffe has a proud history of being a climate action leader, and signing up to power all our facilities with renewable energy is another demonstration of our commitment to sustainability,” Mayor Ebbels said. “We’re also proud that our commitment is supporting local renewable energy projects and jobs at two Victorian wind farms.”
The 240 GWh of electricity purchased each year by participating Councils will be provided by two wind farms in Victoria – Dundonnell wind farm near Mortlake, and Murra Warra II wind farm near Horsham, which is currently under construction. Both wind farms deliver economic benefits to the regions during construction and ongoing operation, and form an important part of state, regional and local economic development.
Meeting all of its electricity needs with renewable energy is the most recent in a series of actions Council has taken to reduce its environmental impact. Other actions include installing energy-efficient lighting in Council buildings and street lights, and introducing a green waste service to divert more than 3,600 tonnes of rubbish from landfill since July 2015. For more information about how the Borough is taking action on climate change, visit Council’s website.
Councils participating in the VECO are: