Council’s Response to Climate Change

Implement and advocate for energy efficiency and conservation measures to reduce energy consumption and apply mitigation adaption and resilience strategies to address climate change.

Protect and enhance the biodiversity and urban tree canopy to build resilience and preserve Mosman’s environmental character.

Actions could include continued support and funding of Councils Tree Planting Program and the Bushcare Volunteer program.

Implement and advocate for water efficient programs to reduce dependency on potable water.

Actions could include further investigation of rainwater re-use schemes and promotion on water efficient activities.

Encourage diversion from landfill and continue to implement and advocate for increased recycling.

Actions could include further investigation of Council’s Waste Strategy and continue advocacy at the State and Federal levels of Government.

Encourage use of public transport, bicycle and pedestrian improvements and facilitate car share, electric and hydrogen vehicles.

Actions could include preparation of a new Active Transport Plan and continued support to the car share industry.

Undertake sustainable development of Council facilities and engaging and educate the community in the benefits of a sustainably built environment.

Actions could include continued asset renewal taking into account sustainable practices and climate change adaption.

Involve the community in the significance of the environment and Climate Change through education and engagement.

It is acknowledged the success of this Plan and Mosman overall reduction in CO2 emissions will be reliant on the community’s willingness to participate. Whilst Council can control the actions in regard to Council operations, the engagement and involvement of the community is critical. To put this into perspective:

• A motor car that has travelled 150,000 km will emit 37.5 tonnes of CO2
• A return plane trip to Europe will generate 4.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions
• A reverse cycle air conditioning unit operated for eight hours a day will emit 6.64 tonnes of CO2 per year.
  

Mitigation

Dr Ruth Irwin, Team Leader Sustainability at Mosman Council, presented at a community consultation workshop for climate mitigation on 30 July 2020.

This workshop, the first of a series of three, focussed on mitigation, our carbon footprint through energy, transport, air quality, waste, food, finance, planning and development, building design and materials.

Resilience

Dr Ruth Irwin, Team Leader Sustainability at Mosman Council, presented at a community consultation workshop for climate adaptation and resilience on 6 August 2020. This workshop, the second in a series of three, focussed on adaptation and resilience to climate change, sea level rise, storm surge, extreme weather, drought, water and urban heat island effect.

Future Scenarios

Dr Ruth Irwin, Team Leader Sustainability at Mosman Council, presented at a community consultation workshop for climate adaptation and resilience on 28 August 2020. This workshop, the last in a series of three, focussed on mitigation, adaptation, resilience and exploring values.

This video outlines some of the environmental initiatives undertaken by council and shows how preserving and improving our environment is one of our key objectives at Mosman Council.

What is the Apartments & Strata Savings Program?

The aim of the program is to improve sustainability while reducing the cost of living & 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 will be easier than many people realise with the forthcoming passage of the NSW Government’s Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Sustainability Infrastructure) Bill. This will lower the bar from previously needing a special resolution (75% threshold) to an ordinary resolution (50% threshold) for any sustainability upgrades 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!

2020-2021 Program Rollout – round 2

Free Apartment Assessment – Expressions of Interest are open

APPLY NOW

• Energy assessments performed by industry specialists.
• Detailed reports which will clearly illustrate the financial case for upgrades.
• Phone 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.
• 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.