Greenhouse Action Plan

Indigo Shire is pleased to announce the adoption of its “Greenhouse Action Plan” in May 2009.  The plan outlines Council’s commitment to realising a 20% reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions on the 2005/2006 baseline data. A number of actions and opportunities are recommended to promote abatement efforts within the Council (corporate) and community sectors. (See attachment below)

Climate Change in the North East

Our climate is noticeably changing.  Since the 1950’s the region has experienced a warming of 0.1 degrees Celsius per decade and an overall increase of temperatures by up to 5 degrees is forecast by 2070.  As a result we can expect an increase in the number of summer days over 35 degrees, a reduction in frost days, more frequent and longer droughts, drier soil and increased bushfire risk.  Annual precipitation is expected to decrease but extreme heavy rainfall events are set to become more intense.  The alpine areas can expect the number of days with snow fall to decrease dramatically.  These changes also have the potential to impact other major sectors including agriculture, water, biodiversity, forests and community health.

In recognition of the likely impacts from climate change, Indigo Shire Council has identified a range of roles and responsibilities inherent in its operations and services to the community to address this issue.  These are outlined below.

Indigo as a Business

As a business Indigo has a responsibility to reduce emissions from its office and field operations.

Indigo Shire is currently undertaking the development of a Greenhouse Action Plan.  This is being achieved through the Cities for Climate Protection program, which involves the completion of five milestones:

1.      Conduct an inventory and forecast for Community and Corporate (Council) greenhouse gas emissions;

2.      Establish an emissions reduction goal;

3.      Develop and adopt a Local Action Plan;

4.      Implement the Local Action Plan; and

5.      Monitor and report on implementation of the Local Action Plan

With a formal adoption of an Emissions Reduction Goal of 20% reduction in corporate emissions on 2005/06 levels by 2015/16, and a 20% reduction in Community emissions on 2005/06 levels by 2015/16, Indigo has successfully completed the first two milestones.

Indigo as a Manager

As a manager of public assets and infrastructure Indigo has a responsibility to reduce emissions associated with these assets & ensure infrastructure is adequate.

Indigo Shire has already achieved many significant gains in addressing climate change in regards to managing public assets.  These include:

•         The development and ongoing implementation of a Sustainable Water Use Plan;

•         An inventory of streetlights that has identified day burning lights;

•         Ongoing action to seek funding to improve and upgrade assets;

•         Provision of support to community groups which manage Council assets; and

•         Ongoing improvement and upgrading of assets through the Capital Works program.

Indigo as a Leader

Indigo has a role as leader within the community to set an example and encourage others.

Indigo Shire strives to lead the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as adapt to the likely impacts of climate change.  This is achieved primarily through our membership and active participation in the North East Greenhouse Alliance (NEGHA).

Established in late 2005 NEGHA is operated by a steering committee currently comprising Wodonga City Council, Alpine Shire Council, Indigo Shire Council, Moira Shire Council, Towong Shire Council, Benalla Rural City, the Rural City of Wangaratta, the North East Catchment Management Authority and Latrobe University.  North East Water and the Regional EPA Office are also partner and associate members of the alliance respectively.  Funded by the Department of Sustainability and Environment through the Regional Partnerships Program, NEGHA is hosted by the City of Wodonga and employs a regional coordinator.

NEGHA has been established to provide a framework for local stakeholders to work together in a variety of greenhouse project areas such as carbon sinks, community energy efficiency, street lighting efficiency, climate change adaptation strategies, renewable energies and alternate fuels and vehicles.  Working groups made up from councils, other government and non government agencies and business, industry and community groups will work together to achieve project goals and reduce greenhouse emissions in our region.

For further information regarding NEGHA go to http://www.negha.org.au/

Indigo as a Regulator

Indigo has a role in regulating land use and development to ensure the effects of climate change are considered in new developments.

Regulation of land use and development is primarily achieved through the application of the planning scheme.  Of particular relevance is:

o      Indigo’s revised Municipal Strategic Statement which provides key policy background and a platform for Councils views on development – this document identifies Climate Change as a specific issue and is linked with key objectives and strategies;

o      Presence of Floodway Overlay, Land Subject to Inundation Overlay & Environmental Significance Overlays which trigger the need for planning permission in such areas, ensuring that proposed developments adequately consider certain risks such as flooding susceptibility;

o      Farming Zone – identifies land suitable for agricultural purposes to ensure that this is protected against other development pressures;

o      Stormwater Local Policy, which has the intent to reduce & improve the quality of stormwater runoff.