Our work
Current projects
Risk mapping
Project to assess climate risk at a fine scale across Gippsland, to build an accurate understanding of key climate risks and their variance geographically.
Climate risks will be mapped using a spatial tool, with assets such as roads and buildings identified, and the likely hazards and impacts to assets assessed.
Once this project is completed, Councils can then use the information about risks to assets to develop adaptation responses. Councils may also extend this information to the community to communicate location-based risks.
ESD Policy
Development of an Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Policy for council buildings, to be adopted by participating councils into formal council policy. ESD Guidelines outlining options and materials in more detail will also be developed, which are intended to be more dynamic and can be updated more regularly.
Processes and procedures, and consideration of how ESD is practically included within council operations, will also be a core part of this work. Internal engagement will be undertaken to enable positive uptake.
Electrification of buildings
Audit of gas in council buildings, and assessment of options to replace gas equipment.
This work will be grouped into two main asset classes:
– Aquatic centres
– Smaller council buildings/facilities e.g. community centres, where gas connections are less complex.
This project will identify options for replacement equipment for councils. A bulk buy of common equipment may be undertaken as a next step after this project.
Emissions monitoring
This project will facilitate a comparison of emissions monitoring across participating councils, with the aim of making sure methodologies and tools used are consistent.
This may include the expansion of emissions monitoring to include scope 3 emissions across LGAs.
The software and tools used by councils for emissions monitoring will be reviewed, with a view to group procurement of software.
EV fleet transition plan
Development of EV Fleet Transition Plans for Gippsland councils.
A regional EV Fleet Transition plan will include regional scale opportunities, including collaboration options, infrastructure sharing and regional scale issues.
Specific council plans will be developed, to be adopted as policy by member councils.
This project may include the identification of bulk buy opportunities for councils, which could be undertaken as a next step after this project.
Communicating climate change
Internal training and workshops for staff and councillors from member councils will be delivered, to ensure better climate knowledge and outcomes from across the organisations. This will particularly focus on and complement other GACA projects.
GACA will also develop communications collateral with consistent messaging that can support council staff to communicate climate change to the public.
Additional workshops and communications material focused on the community may also be developed as opportunities arise.
Victorian Greenhouse Alliances collaboration
Advocacy
GACA is well placed to undertake advocacy to support the climate objectives and priorities of member councils and the Gippsland region.
One of the main avenues for advocacy is through involvement in collaborative advocacy with the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances, who successfully and regularly work together on joint advocacy campaigns.
Recent advocacy includes:
• Joint submission into the inquiry into the implications of severe weather events on the national regional, rural, and remote road network
• Letters and meetings on ESD and climate opportunities for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Villages being built
• Joint submission into the review of the Safeguard Mechanism
• Engagement with the Federal Zero Emissions Taskforce, discussing key issues and needs of affected Gippsland communities and councils in the transition to a zero emissions economy
Statewide projects
GACA actively contributes to the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances, including participation in statewide collaborative projects.
GACA is part of the following working groups, representing issues from the Gippsland region and ensuring member councils are kept in the loop:
• Victorian Climate Resilient Councils
• Planning for a Safe Climate
• All Electric Councils
• Climate positive Commonwealth Games
GACA councils also participate in projects facilitated by other Alliances, such as VECO and LED street lighting advocacy.