This week’s commonly asked question is:
Q- "Why is BRC wasting money on buying Electric/hydrogen Garbage Trucks and on this Net Zero emissions stuff?"
BRC has not committed to buying Electric or Hydrogen Powered Garbage Trucks or to a Net Zero Emissions Strategy. We have committed to a Sustainable Bundaberg 2030 Strategy which was adopted by Council in 2020 and this strategy continues the work of the Clean Energy Bundaberg 2014 Policy which needed to be updated to meet the current legislative requirements.
As part of the Sustainable Bundaberg 2030 strategy, we are always looking at ways to make the organisation more environmentally friendly and the means of delivering services as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Hydrogen Garbage Trucks were proposed and investigated but did not stack up financially and would not be viable for Council unless they had external forms of subsidy from other forms of Government.
They may one day become a reality in our region if we are successful in securing additional funding for such, which would need to be sufficient enough as not to create a negative impact to Councils budgets bottom line. “Council is mindful of the impacts on ratepayers in every single decision it makes, not just major projects. “We are also prepared to advocate for the development of new industries where we see the potential to grow jobs and diversify and strengthen our economy.” Deputy Mayor Cr Bill Trevor (Newsmail 4/6/22).
As for net zero, BRC’s current emissions target from the strategy is - “To align with national and international targets, Council will strive to reduce its annual corporate carbon emissions by 38% by 2030/31 based on 2016/17 levels.” Below is the summary from the Sustainable Bundaberg 2030 Strategy and below that is a link to the entire document - “The Sustainable Bundaberg 2030 strategy builds upon the work and successes of Clean Energy Bundaberg 2014. Of note, the Sustainable Bundaberg 2030 strategy includes three components. In order to help better target the efforts of Council, and to facilitate the different internal and external stakeholders to take agency over the initiatives identified within this strategy, three separate streams have been established. These streams address different aspects of the sustainability strategy and will move in parallel:
Council’s energy transition strategy - Clean Energy Bundaberg 2014 - laid the ground work for transitioning Council towards a more cost effective, resilient and environmentally conscious future. Council’s existing Clean Energy Bundaberg Strategy sets forth the goals and vision for a sustainable region, with a particular focus on delivering tangible benefits that include reduced operational costs, positive environmental outcomes and innovative opportunities for business and industry. Included within this strategy is a roadmap to achieve the following outcomes: • Implement clean energy policies that reduce Council’s overall energy consumption and related operational costs • Provide leadership that raises consciousness around clean energy adoption • Transition from non-renewable energy sources towards clean technologies • Support economic diversification through carefully planned energy investment • Understand our environmental impact and use our knowledge to make environmentally consciousness decisions to preserve our natural resources.
Based on the full implementation of the action plan, Council’s interim target is a reduction of 10% of its annual corporate carbon emissions by 2025/26 based on 2016/17 levels. To align with national and international targets, Council will strive to reduce its annual corporate carbon emissions by 38% by 2030/31 based on 2016/17 levels. To date, Council has achieved a number of positive outcomes in relation to clean energy initiatives. Notably, the projects and initiatives undertaken below have spanned across the entire organisation and involve various technologies and solutions that support the overarching Clean Energy Bundaberg Strategy. These include: • Installation of solar PV systems (430 kW commissioned, and 800 kW planned) • Bundaberg Regional Airport energy improvements • Cedars Road and University Drive landfill gas flares • Planting of nearly 90,000 trees within the Barolin Nature Reserve • Implementation of energy efficiency projects under the Australian Government’s Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) • Installation of a commercial-scale battery backup system (in conjunction with solar PV) on the Bundaberg Multiplex • Inaugural member of the Cities Power Partnership • Deployment of electric vehicle charging stations as part of the Queensland Electric Super Highway”
Be sure to keep an eye out for next weeks, “The Weekly Q.”
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