PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY: 11:10AM (AEDT), Melbourne Showgrounds, Victoria Pavilion. Access via Gate 4. High res photos can be supplied by 12pm up request.
MORE THAN 100 local government leaders – from Wagga Wagga to Launceston – are rallying together in Melbourne today to accelerate the uptake of clean transport in their communities, as part of the Climate Summit for Local Government.
Ahead of World EV Day (September 9) councillors and council staff will be taking the latest zero-emission cars for a spin as part of the Cities Power Partnership two-day national summit to explore opportunities for cities and regions to create a clean energy future.
Cities Power Partnership Director Dr Portia Odell said:
“Local governments have the power to make zero-emission transport more accessible to all Australians.
“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.
“Transport is Australia’s third highest source of greenhouse gas pollution that is driving climate change. By shifting gears to renewable powered electric cars, buses and even garbage trucks, councils are playing a crucial role in rolling out Australian climate solutions.
“From energy to buildings, there are loads of opportunities for local governments to decarbonise communities. I look forward to the big ideas and solutions that will come out of the Climate Summit for Local Government.”
Nillumbik Shire Council CEO Carl Cowie said:
“As a Green Wedge Shire, Nillumbik understands we cannot work alone to affect change and is committed to educating our community, working actively and collaboratively to help address climate change.
“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.”
Chair of Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action, Cr Trent McCarthy said:
“Councils across Melbourne’s north have been collaborating for over two decades to create and share zero emissions solutions for our 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.” Mildura Rural City Council Councillor Jason Modica said:
“Mildura Rural City Council has been at the forefront of the transition to renewable energy for many years, boasting rooftop solar on the majority of our larger council buildings and facilities, powered by cheap, reliable, green energy which is in abundance.
“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.
“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.”
The Climate Summit for Local Government 2023 (September 6-8 at RMIT Storey Hall, Melbourne) is the premier climate and energy event for local government leaders in Australia.
The Summit will explore opportunities in clean transport, clean energy transformation, climate risk, building resilience and adapting to climate change, and working together for greater impact.
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