Council’s Response to Climate Change
With broad community support, Council declared a Climate Emergency in November 2019. To act in a manageable, efficient and transparent way, it was considered the best approach would be to develop a Climate Change Action Plan. The plan outlines actions for Council to consider with options assessed against economic, environmental, social and governance outcomes.
In July, 2020, Council resolved the following:
- Council set a target for Council operations of zero net emissions by 2030
- Council set an aspirational target for the community of zero net emissions by 2040
Council developed the Climate Action Plan – Mitigation Strategy with the help of internal and external stakeholder engagement. A draft Climate Action Plan – Mitigation Strategy went out for public consultation in December 2020, and after modification in response to feedback was approved by Council on 6 April 2021. The Climate Action Plan – Mitigation Strategy outlines Mosman Council’s commitment to mitigate environmental impacts by Council and across the Mosman Local Government Area (LGA). The Plan’s focus is on actions that will directly mitigate carbon emissions towards its net zero carbon target for Council operations and demonstrates that Council will focus work with its community to achieve same. The plan is to be updated as new technologies arise and new projects are developed.
Council is currently finalising a further document, its Climate Action Plan – Resilience and Adaptation Strategy, which is on public exhibition until 26 August 2022. This is the second part of Mosman’s Climate Action Plan, and outlines Mosman Council’s commitment to preparing Mosman for the impacts of climate change and managing the risks of its effects on residents and property. Climate resilience and adaptation involves preparing for and acquiring new skills to be able to withstand and adjust to anticipated impacts and effects of climate change. This provides a long-term strategy to guide decision making by Council.
Visit the How to Live Sustainability webpage for tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint and live more sustainably.
Council Projects
Council is driving forward emissions mitigation projects to help reduce its and the communities impact on climate change.
From 1 July all of Council energy has been supplied by renewable sources as part of a deal secured along with 24 other participating councils.
Mosman Council is currently installing solar panels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve sustainability with the following projects. Solar panels will be installed on the Civic Centre ~70 kW, solar panels and a battery at the Depot ~11 kW and ~14 kWh battery storage, and batteries at the Marie Bashir Sports Hall ~40 kWh battery storage (to accompany the existing solar array ~52 kW).
Council installed a 50 kilowatt fast charger for Electric Vehicles into Mosman central which is being well utilised by the community. All energy supplied is through a renewable energy provider. EV ownership in Mosman is increasing steadily. With better city wide infrastructure Electric Vehicles are more viable.
Mosman‘s street lights are being upgraded by Ausgrid to LEDs. The program, which includes changing 700 existing 50W and 80W street lights to 17W lights, will reduce Council’s energy costs by 75 per cent and save about 200 tonnes of carbon emissions a year.
Mosman Council has supported Schools in the LGA to install solar through the Solar My Schools programme. Mosman Public Primary School has put in a 50 kW solar array, and Beauty Point Primary School has a 36 kW solar array, both significantly lowering electricity costs and carbon emissions.
Council will be progressing further mitigation projects in the 2022/23 financial year and these are listed in the recently adopted Climate Action Plan – Mitigation Strategy. These actions will help Council meet its 2030 carbon zero emissions commitment and build resilience in its facilities.
Mosman Apartment & Strata Savings Program
What is the Apartments & Strata Savings Program?
The aim of the program is to improve sustainability while reducing the cost of living & green house gas (GHG) pollution.
Annual strata fee reduction is a major focus, because the savings potential with energy upgrades is typically a good investment. So analysis will be on the numerous opportunities in common areas.
Often owners don‘t realise how much energy and money is being wasted in the hidden areas and equipment of buildings, so a report by specialists will clearly quantify that, and make recommendations for the owners corporation to follow up on.
Approving upgrades is easier now the NSW Government‘s Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Sustainability Infrastructure) Bill has been implemented. This lowers the bar from needing a special resolution (75% threshold) to sustainability infrastructure resolution (50% threshold) for any sustainability upgrade to proceed in a residential strata scheme.
When the options are clearly illustrated with a good report, the thinking becomes… why wouldn’t we upgrade, given the financial benefits!
2022-2023 Program Rollout – round 3
Free Apartment Assessment – Expressions of Interest are open
The program offers – at no cost:
- Energy assessments performed by industry specialists.
- Detailed reports which will clearly illustrate the financial case for upgrades.
- Online video call support at strata meetings if requested to help communicate benefits of building upgrades.
- General support.
Eligible Buildings
The scheme offers sustainability assessments and reports to larger strata schemes and aged care facilities.
Did you know?
- Most apartment buildings will benefit with efficiency upgrades in common areas.
- Around 51.7% of local residents live in apartments in Mosman.
- Renewable heat and electricity can both replace imported grid gas and electricity.
- Renewable heat is perfect in shady areas, at night, or if cloudy, unlike solar electricity, and can provide space heating and domestic water heating.
Energy Cost savings
- LED Lighting
- Solar electricity – solar panels for rooftops and walls, and batteries for energy storage.
- Renewable heat from the sun – for space heating and water heating.
- Energy efficiency – why waste energy?
- Often upgrades offer investment opportunities with an internal rate of return (IRR) between 15-50% 1, which will likely be one of the best investment returns you’ll ever make.
- Simple payback periods are commonly as short as 2 years.
1 Based on recent upgrades.
