Climate Emergency Declaration: "As a Green Wedge Shire, Nillumbik Council is acutely aware of the multiple threats facing all communities and ecosystems as a result of climate change. This requires urgent action by all levels of government, including local government. Council has declared a Climate Emergency, commits to a climate emergency response, and will proactively integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation into all Council actions".
Nillumbik Shire Council's Climate Action Plan 2022-2032(PDF, 4MB) is guiding our response to the challenges posed by climate change and outlines a twofold approach, involving mitigation and adaptation.
It builds on Council’s previous plans (2010, 2015) and emphasises collaboration with the community to achieve its key climate action aims.
The Plan sets targets of achieving net-zero emissions in Council operations by 2030 and net-zero community emissions by 2035.
It provides eight focus areas for Council's climate action.
- Strong climate action leadership and culture
- Having a climate resilient, adaptive and safe community
- Having a climate resilient natural environment
- Having climate responsive Council services, facilities, buildings and infrastructure
- Achieving Council and community zero emissions energy use
- Enhancing sustainable transport
- Achieving a zero waste and circular economy
- Integrated water management
You can view the overarching Nillumbik Climate Action Plan 2022-2032 below (please note this document is best viewed in 'fullscreen' mode by clicking the square icon in the bottom right). A PDF of the document is also available for download below.
Download a copy of the Climate Action Plan 2022-2032(PDF, 4MB)
Council is committed to working actively and collaboratively to help address climate change.
For example:
- We implement a wide variety of actions to help reduce Council's energy and water use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and we have increased our renewable energy capacity. Every one of Council's buildings has already received some form of retrofit energy efficiency upgrade to help reduce our grid sourced energy consumption.
- We regularly host and support climate action and sustainability workshops and events for our community.
- We are investing in electric vehicles and EV charge stations for our fleet; and are supporting the installation of public EV charge stations.
- We work with our community in areas such as encouraging waste reduction and recycling, active transport, encouraging energy and water efficiency in the home, and preparing for and managing the risks of the physical and wellbeing impacts of climate change such as fire, heat, heavy rainfall events and drought.
Each year, Council endorses an annual implementation plan which lists the action that will be prioritised that year.
Council is currently in Year 3 of implementation.
We are committed to updating the community annually on what is being achieved. You can read the detail on the achievements and status of work undertaken in recent years:
We also have 19 indicators that we use to track our incremental progress in achieving the goals and targets of our Climate Action Plan. This indicator data is updated annually.
Climate change in Victoria
The Victorian Government has identified climate change as one of the biggest threats to the future of the state, with warmer and drier conditions projected to have negative consequences for health, infrastructure, agriculture, water, biodiversity and alpine and coastal areas.
The physical impacts of climate change for Victoria include:
- Increase in temperature year-round, with more hot days and warm spells
- Fewer frosts
- Less rainfall south of the Divide in winter and spring, and less rainfall north of the Divide in autumn, winter and spring
- More frequent and more intense downpours
- Harsher fire weather and longer fire seasons
- Rising sea levels
- Warmer and more acidic oceans
Furthermore, as well as increasing the magnitude, duration and frequency of events such as heatwaves, drought, bushfire and flooding, climate change will also result in such events occurring in areas where they haven’t previously been experienced.
Council recognises that climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing the world today and into the future. Our actions will determine how successful we will be in reducing our contributions to climate change and in adapting to the effects of the changing climate.
Carbon emissions in Nillumbik
Council directly controls one per cent of carbon emissions generated in Nillumbik through our operations.
The other 99 per cent of emissions are generated by residents, businesses and other organisations.
Shire-wide emissions by sector:
- Electricity - 50%
- Transport - 22%
- Gas - 16%
- Waste - 3%
View Nillumbik's emissions (snapshot community climate tool).
More information
Through our membership of the Cities Power Partnership we pledged to:
- Use Council resources to support the uptake of renewable energy
- Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on Council buildings
- Investigate opening up unused Council managed land for renewable energy
- Roll out energy efficient lighting across the municipality
- Support local community energy groups with their community energy initiatives.
Nillumbik's world-first hybrid solar and battery off-grid project in Diamond Creek has been recognised in this Cities Power Partnership video highlighting local government climate and energy achievements across Australia in 2020.
While climate change seems a significant social issue, taking action that makes a difference is an individual response. There are many choices we can make every day that reduce greenhouse gas pollution and save money at the same time; as well as reducing water use, reducing waste, and preparing where we can for climate change.
See below and also visit our Sustainable Living web pages to find out more.
Join us at our REthink Nillumbik sustainability (energy and waste) events
Our REthink sessions are collaborative and hands-on, and help people take small actions that can lead to serious, positive sustainability change.
We run at least one event a month, on topics such as how to plan a sustainable home renovation, how to be an energy hero, Christmas tips, how to plan a sustainable garden, behavioural psychology and much more.
Find out more about our REthink sustainability events and book into as many sessions as you like.
Community Emergency Planning preparedness
Are you interested in connecting with others to talk about climate safety and emergency preparedness?
Reducing our climate impact and preparing for extreme weather caused by climate change is something everyone can do.
Visit fire, flood and emergencies to find out more.
Drop-in or make a booking to receive free personalised energy and sustainability advice
You can speak with Council's Sustainability team and receive advice tailored to your circumstances through our free Energy and Sustainable Living Advisory Service. Drop in or make a booking.
Audit your home's energy and water efficiency
Borrow a Sustainable Home Audit Kit from Yarra Plenty Regional Library and find out where you could save energy and water in the home. The kits include a thermal imaging camera, power meter, water flow cup, thermometer and easy-to-follow instructions to help you check the performance of your building thermal shell, fittings and appliances. They're useful and popular so you may need to pop your name onto the waiting list!
Our climate active community - get involved!
Nillumbik is home to many Friends groups, Landcare groups and other environmental and climate action groups. There are opportunities to get involved in citizen science projects, join committees and learn more about our local environment.
Find out more about environmental volunteer opportunities.
At home
Making the choice to live more sustainably will reduce our carbon footprint too.
- Use renewably sourced electricity for your power needs eg rooftop solar, battery storage, or get GreenPower or renewable energy through your retailer.
- Using less energy at home by being energy efficient and improving your home or rental will also reduce bills.
- Replace your gas appliances with electric to realise the health, emissions and cost savings benefits of an all-electric home.
Lifestyle choices
Including sustainable choices in our lifestyles goes a long way to reducing our carbon output. Make one or two changes to your routine at first, as doing everything at once can be overwhelming and unrealistic.
- Look at what you consume. Grow some of your own herbs, fruit and vegies(PDF, 4MB), shop local and consume less meat.
- If you can work from home, do so to avoid the commute, or try to take public transport or your bike. If that’s not possible, can you car pool?
- Look into buying a hybrid or preferably, an electric car for your driving needs.
- Refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle.
- Plant trees for food and wildlife.
- Join a local group to support the environment, such as Landcare, Clean Energy Nillumbik, Nillumbik Climate Action Team or Nillumbik Environment Action Group.
- Enjoy more recreation time in your local area, parks, reserves and at Edendale Community Environment Farm.