Agenda of Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee

Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee 6 April 2021

2.1 Minutes of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee Meeting held 11 December 2020

RECORD NUMBER: 2021/318

AUTHOR: Lindsay Hall, Sustainability Officer

EXECUTIVE Summary

Environmental Sustainability Community Committee met on 11 December 2020 and the recommendation from that meeting are provided to the Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee for adoption.

Link To Delivery/OPerational Plan

The recommendation in this report relates to the Delivery/Operational Plan strategy “7.1 Preserve - Engage with the community to develop plans for growth and development that value the local environment”.

Financial Implications

NIL

Policy and Governance Implications

NIL

Recommendation

1 That Council acknowledge the reports presented to the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee at its meeting held on 11 December 2020.

2 That Council determine recommendations 4.1 from the minutes of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting of 11 December 2020.

4.1 Climate Change Strategic Policy and Management Plan

I. That the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee provide feedback on the Draft Climate Change Management Plan and Draft Climate Change Strategic Policy to Council staff, to take into consideration.

3 That the remainder of the minutes of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee at its meeting held on 11 December 2020 be adopted.

further considerations

Consideration has been given to the recommendation’s impact on Council’s service delivery; image and reputation; political; environmental; health and safety; employees; stakeholders and project management; and no further implications or risks have been identified.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Nil

Attachments

1 Minutes of the Meeting of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee held on 11 December 2020

2 ESCC Agenda - 11 December 2020, D20/75650 ⇩

ORANGE CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE

Environmental Sustainability Community Committee

HELD IN Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange

ON 11 December 2020

COMMENCING AT 8am

1 Introduction

Attendance

Cr S Nugent (Chairperson), Cr R Kidd, Ms Shahreen Alford, Mr Robert Alford, Mrs Kate Hook, Mr Andrew Kennedy, Mr Nick King, Dr David Mallard, Ms Melanie McDonell, Mrs Anne Salter, Mr Cyril Smith, Mr Peter West, Ms Kate Willoughby, Mr Ken Freedman, Director Development Services, Manager Building and Environment, Water Treatment Manager, Manager City Presentation, Manager Waste Services and Technical Support, Sustainability Officer, Graduate Sustainability Officer

1.1 Apologies and Leave of Absence

RECOMMENDATION Ms S Alford/Mr A Kennedy

That the apologies be accepted from Mrs Neina Campbell, Miss Anwen Carney, Mr Ronald Finch, Mr Daniel Fock, Mr Gavin Hillier, Manager Technical Services, Manager Building and Assets for the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting on 11 December 2020.

1.2 Acknowledgement of Country

The Chairperson conducted the Acknowledgement of Country.

1.3 Declaration of pecuniary interests, significant non-pecuniary interests and less than significant non-pecuniary interests

Nil.

2 Previous Minutes

RECOMMENDATION Mr R Alford/Ms M McDonell

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee held on 16 October 2020 (copies of which were circulated to all members) be and are hereby confirmed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting held on 16 October 2020.

3 Presentations

3.1 ESCC - Actions

TRIM Reference: 2020/2500

RECOMMENDATION Mr C Smith/Mr N King

That the Environmental Sustainable Community Committee accept the actions to be true and accurate.

3.2 Energy Update Ms S Alford/Mr R Alford

TRIM Reference: 2020/2500

Verbal report by Councils Sustainability Officer. A supporting written report was provided to committee members.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Environmental Sustainable Community Committee acknowledge the verbal report from Councils Sustainability Officer .

3.3 Plastics Update – verbal report Ms S Alford/Mr A Kennedy

TRIM Reference: 2020/2500

Verbal report by Councils Graduate Sustainability Officer.

To progress Councils motion;

On the 24 July 2020 Council resolved that Council prepare a report outlining:

1. Current use of single use plastic across Council operations;

2. Available alternatives to single use plastic items currently in use in Council operations and Council run or sponsored events;

3. Achievable timeframes to phase out single use plastic in Council operations and Council run or sponsored events where alternatives are available; and

4. Achievable timeframes for developing a Single Use plastics Policy that addresses the reduction of single use plastics in Council operations and events, supports the 2025 National Packaging targets, and identifies suitable alternatives, including timeframes for implementation

A supporting written report was provided to committee members.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Environmental Sustainable Community Committee acknowledge the verbal report from Councils Graduate Sustainability Officer.

4 General Reports

4.1 Climate Change Strategic Policy and Management Plan

TRIM Reference: 2020/2525

Recommendation Ms M McDonell/Mr A Kennedy

That the Environmental Sustainable Community Committee provide feedback on the Draft Climate Change Management Plan and Draft Climate Change Strategic Policy to Council staff, to take into consideration.

The Meeting Closed at 9.42am

Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee 6 April 2021

3 General Reports

3.1 Strategic Policy Review - Climate Change Strategic Policy and Management Plan - Post Exhibition

RECORD NUMBER: 2021/518

AUTHOR: Lindsay Hall, Sustainability Officer

EXECUTIVE Summary

On the 8 February 2021 Council resolved to place the following strategic policy and associated plan on public exhibition for a period of 28 days:

· ST148 – Climate Change

· Draft Climate Change Management Plan

The strategic policy and associated plan were placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days (13 February – 12 March 2021). There were no submissions received by Council during this period. There was 1 submission received outside of this period on the 18 March 2021.

No changes were made as a result of submissions, there were minor grammatical and graphic design changes made in the Plan.

Both The Policy and The Plan have been developed in consultation with Councils Environmental Sustainability Community Committee (ESCC)

The Policy will aid Council to align its operations and strategic planning with the NSW State Climate Change Policy Framework and their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also building Councils resilience to climate change.

Council already benefits from a number of key renewable and energy efficiency projects which provide annual savings in energy costs and a reduction of operational emissions.

The Policy gives guidance for Council to continue with its implementation of energy efficiency projects, renewable energy and emission reduction actions into the future. The Policy also provides Council the flexibility to adapt to changing trends in markets and technology along with best practice.

The Plan addresses our current mitigation actions taken to date and details our current available baseline data in relation to energy use and greenhouse emissions from Council operations. The Plan also outlines future strategies in relation to greenhouse gas emission reduction priorities for Council operations. The implementation of The Plan is supported by Councils current strategic plans including the Community Strategic Plan and the Orange Local Strategic Planning Statement.

The Plan aims to set the foundations for Council to:

· Systematically and methodically understand and mitigate Councils operational impacts on the climate and,

· Identify and adapt to climate change associated risks and,

· Prioritise and take appropriate action to implement the policy objectives

Link To Delivery/OPerational Plan

The recommendation in this report relates to the Delivery/Operational Plan strategy “8.2 Preserve - Develop and promote initiatives to reduce water, energy and waste in consultation with the community”.

Financial Implications

There is no current estimated value. The Plan is designed to establish justifiable foundations for climate mitigation and adaptation actions to be implemented over time.

Policy and Governance Implications

Nil

Recommendation

That Council resolves to adopt the following strategic policy and associated plan without amendment:

· ST148 – Climate Change

· Climate Change Management Plan

further considerations

ANY SUBMISSIONS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1993

Exhibition closed 12 March 2021 with no submissions received. One (1) submission was received after the period of public exhibition on 18 March 2021. The one submission received notes that there is no specific objection to the proposal, however, requests that Council gives consideration to the following matters (summarised):

- The Plan should include additional information on future planned projects that aim to further secure Orange’s Water Supply.

Staff comments: Outside the Scope of this Plan. Future water security projects will be considered by Council during the development of the Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Strategy.

- That treated effluent currently being transferred to Cadia should be returned for environmental flows into Summer Hill Creek and the recycled water pipeline network.

Staff comments: Outside the Scope of this Plan. Recycled water projects will be considered by Council during the development of the Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Strategy.

- That water authorities should review the supply of discounted water to private companies.

Staff comments: Outside the Scope of this Plan. Water pricing is considered by Council as part of its Long Term Financial Plan and Delivery Program.

- Council may consider incorporating Water Services Association of Australia’s Position paper “Urban water climate change position”.

Staff comments: Council is a member of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and has access to a variety of reports and technical information available from the Association. Technical guidance on climate change is considered in the development of long-term water strategies (i.e. IWCM Strategy).

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

The NSW Government has committed to a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and has implemented action on climate change through the following plan and strategies:

Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030

The Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030 outlines the NSW Government’s plan to grow the economy, create jobs and reduce emissions over the next decade. The plan aims to enhance the prosperity and quality of life of the people of NSW, while helping the state to deliver a 35% cut in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The plan will support a range of initiatives targeting electricity and energy efficiency, electric vehicles, hydrogen, primary industries, coal innovation, organic waste and carbon financing.

NSW Future Transport Strategy 2056

The NSW Future Transport Strategy 2056 promotes a cost-effective pathway to net-zero emissions, and involves:

· A shift over time from private car use to public transport.

· Promotion of low emission vehicles.

· Transition to cost effective, low emission energy supply.

· Collaboration with industry on new fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including for a low emissions passenger vehicle fleet.

NSW Electricity Strategy

The NSW Electricity Strategy is the NSW Government’s plan for a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity future that supports a growing economy.

It will do this by:

· Delivering Australia’s first coordinated Renewable Energy Zone

· Saving energy, especially at times of peak demand

· Supporting the development of new electricity generators

· Setting a target to bolster the state’s energy resilience

· Making it easier to do energy business in NSW.

The strategy encourages an estimated $8 billion of new private investment in NSW’s electricity system over the next decade, including $5.6 billion in regional NSW. It will also support an estimated 1,200 jobs, mostly in regional NSW. The strategy aligns closely with the NSW Government’s Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020 – 2030.

Actions by Council to Date

Over the years, Council has implemented a myriad of measures focused on improving the economic and environmental sustainability of Council, particularly having regard to energy efficiency and water savings. These days, these such projects are referred to as ‘adaptation to climate change’.

Some of the mitigation projects undertaken by Council to date include:

· Installation of PV (solar) panels on the rooves of the Aquatic Centre; Council Depot; a number of childcare centres;

· Installation of solar at airport recently commenced

· Variable speed drives in water and sewer pumps

· Purchase of green power

· Sustainability Officer

· Adapted operational procedures at Aquatic Centre to reduce energy consumption

· Regional energy procurement contracts

· Gas procurement contracts

· Installation of Building management system (BMS) in Civic Centre and Gallery/Library

· Replaced chiller at Civic Centre

· Installed Perspex double glazing on Civic Centre windows

· Various tree planting projects

· Ongoing replacement of lighting in Council buildings as technology improved (from bulbs, to fluorescent lighting/T3/T5 and now LED lighting

· Greenwaste recycling

· Electric bikes available to staff

· Purchase of an electric vehicle

· Stormwater harvesting

· Water Ranger

· Council’s Biobanking Farm purchase and management

Plans are also in place for additional solar systems on the Civic Centre, Aquatic Centre and the new pound solar systems. Council is also investigating a proposal for additional solar/battery at the Airport

The development of a Renewable Energy Action Plan will commence in February, with funding and assistance from the Department of Planning Industry and Environment (DPIE).

As mentioned, many of the Council initiatives result in significant economic savings to Council’s operations whilst also providing significant environmental benefits that have been measured to date. Below are measured savings achieved in four recent projects.

Summary of Specific Council energy efficiency projects, savings and emissions reduced:

Project	Energy cost savings ($)	Emissions Reduced (CO2)
Southern Lights Project (Street Lighting LED replacement)	$465,500 over the first year. Project currently at 80% completion	542t C2-e
Chiller Replacement Project	$64,675 since the installation and commissioning of the chillers	298t CO2-e
Solar PV installation at Aquatic Centre (99kWh system)	$68,437 since commission	398t CO2-e
Solar PV installation at the Depot	$116,370 since commission	632t CO2-e