Over 100 local government leaders have gathered in Melbourne to accelerate the adoption of clean transport in their communities as part of the Climate Summit for Local Government.
Councillors and council staff will test drive the latest zero-emission vehicles ahead of World EV Day (9 September) as part of the Cities Power Partnership two-day national summit to explore the potential for cities and regions to achieve a clean energy future.
“Councils are effectively revving up the electric car second-hand market by purchasing EVs for their fleets. They are also rolling out charging infrastructure networks, educating the community and enabling more Australians to choose public and active transport — like walking and bike riding — more often,” Cities Power Partnership Director Dr Portia Odell said.
According to Dr Odell, Australia’s transport sector is implementing climate solutions by transitioning to renewable electric vehicles, buses, and garbage trucks, addressing the country’s third-highest greenhouse gas pollution source.
Nillumbik Shire Council CEO Carl Cowie commented, “As a member council of Northern Council Alliance we have been collaborating closely on a Regional Transport Advocacy and Community Electric Vehicle Transition Plan ready to be launched early October. This plan is a comprehensive strategy that will prepare communities and businesses across Melbourne’s north for transition to electric vehicles.”
“We also regularly host and support sustainability workshops, events and celebrations for our community; have invested in hybrid fleet vehicles and EV charge stations; and every one of Council’s buildings has already received some form of retrofit energy efficiency upgrade to help reduce our grid sourced energy consumption.”
Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action Chair Cr Trent McCarthy said for over two decades, councils across Melbourne’s north have worked together to develop and share zero-emission solutions for the communities.
“Powering up the local transition to EVs and other sustainable transport options has been high on our advocacy agenda. Along with other Victorian Greenhouse Alliances, we’ve called for national targets for electric vehicles, the use of government purchasing power to encourage investment in the industry, a national training program to upskill workers, and rapidly-raised fuel efficiency standards,” Cr Mccarthy stated.
Mildura Rural City Council Councillor Jason Modica said Mildura Rural City Council has been at the vanguard of the renewable energy revolution for many years, having rooftop solar on the bulk of larger council buildings and facilities, powered by cheap, reliable green energy.
“Over the last two years we have sharpened our focus on transitioning our vehicle fleet to EVs, purchasing six vehicles and developing policies to transition our light and heavy vehicle fleets to EVs by 2030 and 2040 respectively. This will reduce our organisation’s carbon footprint and costs for council and ratepayers,” Councillor Modica stated.
“We’ve also worked to increase the uptake of electric vehicles in the community by supporting the installation of public EV fast charging infrastructure, in addition to our own fleet EV charging stations, helping our progress to becoming the most EV-friendly city in the country,” he added.
The Climate Summit for Local Government 2023 will run from 6 September to 8 September.
The Summit will look into prospects for clean transport, energy transition, climate risk, building resilience and adapting to climate change, and collaborating for a more significant impact.
