The Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance has marked 15 years of regional climate change action.
The alliance has joined with Greater Shepparton City Council and a network of 16 local government organisations, agency and alpine resort partners in responding and adapting to climate change through collaboration, advocacy and innovative projects.
The Charging the Regions project was one of the alliance’s schemes where it assessed requirements for public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Goulburn Valley.
This resulted in the installation of public chargers in Shepparton and Mooroopna and led to the implementation of council’s inaugural electric car fleet.
The collaboration has helped in the mitigation of over 75,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions and saved members over $6.7 million in efficiencies through innovative projects and partnership over the 15 years.
GMCA chair and Mansfield Shire councillor Rohan Webb said “15 years of regional collaboration on climate change and sustainability is a remarkable achievement worthy of reflection and celebration”.
“The next 10 years will be a galvanising time for the Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance as the region rises to the significant challenges and opportunities of climate change,” he said.
Greater Shepparton City Council director of sustainable development Geraldine Christou said the partnership with GMCA involved the creation of the Victorian Energy Collaboration electricity contract.
“It has saved council significant electricity costs while eliminating carbon emissions,” she said.
Cr Webb said GMCA was well placed to help guide its members to beyond the year 2030.
More information about the alliance can be found at www.gmca.org.au