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.
GACA has received funding from Emergency Management Victoria to assist in delivery of the project.
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.
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.
Previous projects
Electrification of buildings
Emissions monitoring
This project audited gas connections across council buildings, and assessed options to replace gas equipment with electric appliances.
Staff were involved in the process to learn more about how to size and match replacement equipment.
This project facilitated a comparison of emissions monitoring across member councils, with the aim of making sure methodologies and tools used are consistent.
A group procurement process was undertaken to choose an emissions monitoring software provider to assist councils in emissions monitoring. This resulted in significant cost savings for councils.
Victorian Greenhouse Alliances collaboration
Statewide projects
GACA actively contributes to the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances, including participation in statewide collaborative projects. GACA is part of the several working groups, representing issues from the Gippsland region and ensuring member councils are kept in the loop.
Regional Greenhouse Alliances Neighbourhood Battery Initiative
GACA supported four member councils to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Alliances Battery Initiative. Led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance and also working with the Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance, this project worked with 21 regional council to develop a business case for neighbourhood batteries, in preparation for furture grant funding. The battery sites were chosen to enhance community resilience, and provide backup power in case of emergencies.
Victorian Climate Resilient Councils
The Victorian Climate Resilient Councils aims to support councils across the state to build capacity to respond to climate risks, including clear guidance and a tool-kit of resources. It is led by the Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action (WAGA), and supported GACA and the other Alliances through the Steering Committee. The two year development phase in 2023-2024 is almost complete, and will be followed by implementation and roll out of the program.
Victorian Greenhouse Alliances Conference
The annual Victorian Greenhouse Alliances Conference, a collaboration between the eight Greenhouse Alliances, is the highest profile local government climate change conference in Australia, bringing together Victorian local government councillors, executive leaders and officers, working on and interested in climate change projects and advocacy.
Business Renewables Buying Group
The Business Renewables Buying Group is a collaboration of the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances and councils from across Victoria, which is supporting high energy consuming business to switch to renewable energy. Two buying groups of businesses will be facilitated, with a large reduction in emissions expected. An external facilitator will support in the procurement of a group Power Purchase Agreement, and scale up their buying power for business going renewable.
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 in 2024 includes:
• VGA submission and GACA presentation to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Climate Resilience
• Submission on Plan for Victoria
• Submission on VicGrid’s Draft Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines
• Submission and attending regional workshops on VicGrid’s Community Benefits Plan
• Submission on the Minimum Standards for Renters
• Submission on Fuel Efficiency Standards
• Submission on Australia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and 2035 emission reductions target
Previous advocacy includes:
• Submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria
• Submission on the National Health and Climate Strategy
• Submission on the Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Consultation Roadmap
• Joint submission to 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 Gippsland Regional Package
• Joint submission into the review of the Safeguard Mechanism
• Engagement with the National Net Zero Authority, discussing key issues and needs of affected Gippsland communities and councils in the transition to a zero emissions economy