Local governments play a critical role helping their communities reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

Local governments are leading climate change action all around the world. The state government is committed to working effectively with local government to help Victorian communities meet the challenges of climate change.

Councils have many different strategies to reduce emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy. Many Victorian local governments have pledged to reduce their emissions through TAKE2.

Local governments are often the first to respond to localised climate change impacts, and their strong connections to the community and local knowledge mean they are often best-placed to recognise the need for adaptation at a local scale. Read about the Government’s commitment to working with local governments on adapting to climate change in Victoria’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2017-2020.

A strong partnership between state and local government will build capacity and resilience in our communities in the face of climate change. Working together, state and local governments have already delivered a range of climate change projects across Victoria.

State-local government climate change projects

CouncilsProject DetailsAction
Borough of Queenscliff CouncilCommunity action on climate change in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale
2014 - 2016
This project supported the Queenscliffe and Point Lonsdale communities to manage their climate risks through co-ordinated community action. A partnership of community members helped increase community understanding of climate risks, assisting residents to make more informed decisions.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Leadership and Governance Planning
Borough of Queenscliffe CouncilWorking towards carbon neutrality in the Borough of Queenscliffe
2012 - 2013
This project developed a Carbon Neutral Action Plan to create a carbon neutral council by 2013 and the community by 2020.
Mitigation
Leadership and Governance Planning
Colac Otway Shire CouncilAchieving carbon neutrality In Colac Otway Shire
2012 - 2013
Project had the goal of enabling Colac Otway Shire Council operations and services to be carbon neutral by 2016, via: 
- A reduction in pollution;
- A reduction in emissions contributing to climate change; and
- Leadership to the broader Colac Otway Shire community    
Mitigation
Energy
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Borough of Queenscliff Council
Colac Otway Shire Council
Corangamite Shire Council
Glenelg Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Moyne Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Warrnambool City Councill
Climate resilient communities of the Barwon South West
2012 - 2017
Development of regionally appropriate climate preparedness plans for the communities in South Western Victoria. The project will build capacity to reduce greenhouse gas impacts and prepare communities for climate change through adaptation responses.
Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Education, training and research
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Colac Otway Shire CouncilEmbedding climate adaptation in Colac Otway projects, programmes and processes
2014 - 2015
Project provided a range of training programs, protocols and processes to assist council staff to identify and manage climate change impacts identified in a range of local and regional strategic documents.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Corangamite Shire CouncilBuilding Corangamite's biodiversity knowledge base for climate change adaptation
2012 - 2013
Project helped improve council's biodiversity asset mapping by verifying and ground-truthing existing databases.
Adaptation
Natural environment
Corangamite Shire CouncilCorangamite Shire climate risk management program
2014 - 2016
Project to help council manage its exposure to climate risks and identify growing opportunities through developing a strategic carbon management plan to embed climate risk planning and adaptation actions into council organisational plans and decision making processes.
Mitigation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Energy
Glenelg Shire CouncilSolar PV cell installation
2011 - 2012
Installation of solar PV system on council owned building to assist council with energy reduction and resource efficiency.
Mitigation
Energy
Glenelg Shire CouncilRoadside biodiversity value mapping for bushfire risk
2014
Project assisted Glenelg Shire Council in mapping roadside native flora and fauna along roads at risk of bushfire.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Natural environment
Greater Geelong City CouncilGreen Infrastructure Standards
2012 - 2014
This project created a "green" infrastructure standard for inclusion in council's Infrastructure Design Manuals (IDM). Infrastructure design standards are a tool used by councils to communicate design and construction expectations for civil infrastructure projects.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Planning
Greater Geelong City Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Heatwaves and social vulnerability
2014 - 2016
This project will identify and build on the levels of resilience of those who are most vulnerable from a social perspective to the impacts of heatwaves and increased heat within the City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire.
Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Greater Geelong City Council
Yarra City Council
Understanding support context for embedding climate change adaptation in councils
2014 - 2016
Using the City of Greater Geelong, Net Balance and RMIT Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit (the Toolkit), this project investigated the support context requirements for implementing the Toolkit and for embedding climate change considerations across council.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Greater Geelong City CouncilBellarine Peninsula and Corio Bay coastal climate change risk assessment
2014 - 2016
The Bellarine Peninsula and Corio Bay coastal climate change risk assessment project helps build capacity of coastal communities, State/Local Government, and service authorities to use climate change information along with coastal hazard data to assess risks.
Adaptation
Planning
Moyne Shire CouncilLand capability & biodiversity study incorporating a planning scheme overlay
2007 - 2010
This project developed an overlay covering all Moyne Shire to better inform development and zoning within the municipality.
Adaptation
Natural environment
Planning
Moyne Shire CouncilMoving Moyne Minus Motors
2012 - 2015
This project employed a project officer to review council's local greenhouse gas emissions reduction action plan (2004); revise its emissions inventory by undertaking audits and collating updated data; and then taking action to reduce emission across Moyne Council's operations.
Mitigation
Energy
Moyne Shire CouncilMoyne Shire coastal hazard climate change adaptation plan
2014 - 2016
In consultation with the community, a climate change adaptation plan was prepared for the Port Fairy coastline in response to the hazards identified in the Port Fairy local coastal hazard assessment.
Adaptation
Natural environment
Planning
Surf Coast Shire CouncilWarrnambool City CouncilSurf Coast Shire greenhouse gas emissions management plan
2012 - 2013
Under its Climate Change Strategy (2011-2016), the Surf Coast Shire Council Buildings Energy Efficiency Program seeks to contribute to council achieving, and potentially exceeding, its emissions reduction target of 30% by 2020.
Mitigation
Energy
Planning
Surf Coast Shire CouncilClimate risk and adaptation planning
2015 - 2016
This project is the development of an "Asset@Risk" register and adaptation plan that, combined, provides a comprehensive list of council assets exposed to climate risk together with embedding specific adaptation actions into organisational plans across council.
Adaptation
Planning
Corangamite Shire Council
Warrnambool City Council
Land suitability and decision framework for rural Victoria
2009 - 2012
A case study involving Warrnambool and Corangamite Shires to develop appropriately-scaled land capability, biodiversity and land suitability data and to examine the fit between local data and similar data available at landscape scale. This project assists local government to align regional land capability and biodiversity data to justify strategic planning at a regional scale, as well as helping guide conservations related to settlement and land use patterns.
Adaptation
Natural environment
Planning
Greater Geelong City CouncilShellfish reefs for shoreline protection
2015 - 2017
Shellfish reefs are effective in mitigating the effects of storm tides on vulnerable coasts and have been used across a range of areas in North America. This project is a trial in the shallow waters of Port Phillip and Western Port Bays. Anecdotal evidence suggests there were extensive areas of naturally occurring shellfish reefs in the past so this project has the potential to restore habitat.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Natural environment
Warrnambool City CouncilBarwon South West Local Coastal Hazard Assessment
2015 - 2017
This project is phase one of the Local Coastal Hazard Assessment for the Barwon South West coast. It includes development of a regional project brief, request for quote and further scoping including an assessment of current data available and a gap analysis
Adaptation
Natural environment
Planning
Borough of Queenscliff CouncilSupporting Queenscliff and Pt Lonsdale prepare for climate change
2015 - 2017
This projects is providing householders, businesses and schools with one-to-one advice on energy efficiency and renewable energy options to give them the confidence to undertake changes in their homes, businesses and schools to make them more resilient to climate change.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Economic development and business
Education, training and research
Energy
Moyne Shire CouncilEast Beach seawall design
2015 -2017
This project is designing a replacement rock seawall to defend East Beach, Port Fairy, from a forecasted 2100 sea level rise.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Natural environment
Planning
CouncilsProject detailsAction
East Gippsland Shire CouncilUrban waterway strategy development
2011 - 2013
Development of a strategy for urban waterway development and management in East Gippsland.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Water
East Gippsland Shire CouncilClimate risk and resilience information provision for property buyers
2014 - 2016
Project trialled a simple method for providing prospective property buyers with information regarding the climate risk and resilience of properties.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
East Gippsland Shire CouncilConcept design for coastal flooding adaptation
2014 - 2016
Concept design of coastal adaptation solutions for two township areas vulnerable to coastal climate change impacts including sea level rise, inundation, erosion, estuarine flooding and storm surge.
Adaptation
Natural environment
Bass Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
East Gippsland Shire Council
Latrobe City Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Wellington Shire Council
Integrating climatic impacts into local government processes across Gippsland
2014 - 2016
Regional project with all Gippsland councils to help staff understand climate change impacts and embed responses into existing plans and strategies of each council.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Leadership and Governance
South Gippsland Shire CouncilSouth Gippsland Shire sustainability works
2011 - 2013
The South Gippsland Sustainability works project included activities and strategies to promote and educate the community in sustainability principles and practices. Different channels were used to convey messages about climate change, food security and other sustainability issues.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Economic development and business
Education, training and research
Bass Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
East Gippsland Shire Counci
lLatrobe City Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Wellington Shire Council
Sustainability Gippsland
2011 - 2014
This project utilised web-based tools and trained locally based facilitators to engage and support local governments, individuals, organisations and businesses across Gippsland to help co-ordinate, enhance and promote activity to create a more sustainable Gippsland. The project was undertaken in partnership with the Gippsland Climate Change Network, Baw Baw Sustainability Network, Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group and Monash University.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Economic development and business
Education, training and research
Bass Coast Shire Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Agricultural resilience and shared climate change opportunities in Southern Gippsland
2014 - 2016
This project supported South Gippsland and Bass Coast food producers by providing better adaptation options to climate change.
Adaptation
Economic development and business
Wellington Shire CouncilProgressing sustainable action within the Wellington Shire
2011 - 2013
The Progressing Sustainable Action within the Wellington Shire Project supported the implementation of Wellington Shire Council's Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2011-15
Mitigation / Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
East Gippsland Shire CouncilEast Gippsland renewable energy feasibility
2015 -2017
With local partners, this project is investigating renewable energy feasibility for East Gippsland, including potential feedstock sources, distribution network conditions, heat and power customers and community appetite for different technologies. It will develop and prioritise innovative scenarios with a clear roadmap for progression.
Mitigation
Energy
South Gippsland Shire CouncilInvestigating the impact of climate change on seawalls
2015 - 2017
This project is assessing the condition and adequacy of existing seawalls and drains within the municipality against a combined king tide/storm surge and sea level rise. It will provide recommendations regarding the ongoing maintenance, renewal and risk of retaining of these seawalls and drains.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Planning
Bass Coast Shire CouncilCommunities making energy together
2015 -2017
The project builds on collaborative work already undertaken. It will assess the feasibility of a number of approaches to mid-to-large scale energy projects, taking into account site location, technology and community engagement within the region. This is an innovative opportunity for council to partner with the community to actively participate in regional climate change mitigation.
Mitigation
Energy
CouncilsProject detailsAction
Golden Plains Shire CouncilBuilding adaptative capacity on roadsides
2014 - 2016
Golden Plains Shire is responsible for managing 1834 kilometres of road reserves. Road reserves are used not only for transport, but also as service corridors, in fire prevention, for recreation and, occasionally, for agricultural pursuits. This project explored better management of roadsides in the face of climate change.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Natural environment
Hepburn Shire CouncilSustainable building management plan
2012 - 2013
This plan demonstrated Hepburn Shire Council's commitment to their 2013 carbon negative targets through action on sustainable building design to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Mitigation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Planning
Golden Plains Shire Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Pyrenees Shire Council
Listening to the land; looking to the future
2014 - 2016
This project is informing planning to help optimise food and fibre producing landscapes in a changing climate.
Adaptation
Economic development and business
Natural environment
Planning
Hindmarsh Shire CouncilImproving sustainability in the Wimmera Mallee
2009 - 2011
This project prepared a Regional Climate Change Risk Audit and developed regional templates for individual shire Local Action Plans.
The project delivered practical information and assistance to regional organisations, both government and private in the application of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. It assisted local government with the provision of significant information to assist appropriate decision making through the use of specifically designed tools and guidelines. The project was delivered in 5 phases:
- Data audit and benchmarking – gap analysis
- Climate Change Risk Analysis – regional template for action planning
- Regional Strategic Sustainability Plan
- Localised action planning
- Implementation of Regional Strategic Sustainability Plan and localised action plans
Mitigation / Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Hindmarsh Shire CouncilProject Officer: Hindmarsh roadside management strategy review and implementation
2011 - 2013
A project officer was employed to review, update and implement council's Roadside Management Strategy to respond to and mitigate climate change.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Natural environment
Greater Bendigo City Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Hindmarsh Shire Council
Horsham Rural City Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Building local government change agents for resilient and sustainable communities
2011 - 2014
The project provided local government staff with the research, training and support to assist them to deliver behaviour change programs to address their sustainability priorities.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Leadership and Governance
Moorabool Shire CouncilLand & biodiversity asset mapping
2007 - 2010
This project mapped areas of natural significance. A planning kit was developed to explain the process to map and protect assets via planning scheme amendments. Identifying and mapping natural areas of significance (including threatened species, high value habitat and erodable land) help with incorporating the protection of land and biodiversity assets in the planning scheme and for assessing any proposed planning scheme amendments.
Adaptation
Natural environment
Planning
Moorabool Shire CouncilSustainable planning for Melbourne's peri-urban region
2008 - 2011
The project applied data on trends to build capacity and develop planning tools for local government. Tools to improve sustainability outcomes were developed in the water, agriculture, land use, biodiversity, and natural resource sectors and address emerging threats to peri-urban areas.
A large body of State and regional policy on social, regional, land use and land and water sectors exists but is often not used at a local level. The possibility of establishing a peri-urban regional policy framework based on commonalities between peri-urban municipalities was explored.
Options for governance arrangements to improve cross-sectoral management were also outlined, drawing on integration principles for policy development within and between councils, and between all levels of government.
Adaptation
Energy
Leadership and Governance
Natural environment
Planning
Water
Northern Grampians Shire CouncilSupporting change and adaptation in Northern Grampians Shire
2014 - 2015
The project employed a sustainability officer to help build Northern Grampian's capacity to provide leadership in the area of sustainability and influence the changes and actions that will contribute to the economic, environmental and social health of the region.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Community health and wellbeing
Economic development and business
Leadership and Governance
Natural environment
Planning
Pyrenees Shire CouncilDemonstrating leadership & climate change adaptation through operational delivery
2011 - 2013
The project carried out carbon accounting and data collection for council with a view to implementing future energy efficiencies; develop an energy meter loan scheme for the community; and install solar power on a Council building as a demonstration.
Mitigation
Energy
Ararat Rural City Council
Ballarat City Council
Buloke Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Hindmarsh Shire Council
Horsham Rural City Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Northern Grampians Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council
Yarriambiack Shire Council
Building community resilience and adaptation to climate change through distributed bio-energy
2012 - 2014
The regional bioenergy project was a commercial bioenergy demonstration plant at the Beaufort Hospital and the development of a bioenergy project in the Wimmera. The project was a collaboration between the Victorian Government, local councils, Waste Management Groups and other regional stakeholders.
Mitigation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Energy
Southern Grampians Shire CouncilRegional sustainability indicators framework for South West Victoria
2010 - 2012
The project developed a set of indicators that builds on research by Deakin University. It tested and evaluated the indicators to determine if they are easily replicable at different scales and boundaries and developed timelines for ongoing reporting.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Planning
Southern Grampians Shire CouncilSouthern Grampians energy management demonstration
2011 - 2013
This project implemented key energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy applications in selected council buildings.
Mitigation Energy
Southern Grampians Shire CouncilUnderstanding and adapting land use capability under a changing climate
2014 - 2015
This project considered water, soil, climate and topography characteristics of the region and how a changing climate will impact upon overall land use capabilities. The goal is to assist the agricultural sector and future investors to adapt to a changing climate.
Adaptation
Economic development and business
Natural environment
Southern Grampians Shire CouncilEnabling adaptation action for vulnerable rural persons (Rural People; Resilient Futures)
2014 - 2015
This project investigated ways to increase the capacity of vulnerable rural populations to better plan for the impacts of climate change which have ramifications on health and wellbeing.
Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
West Wimmera Shire CouncilBuilding resilience in farming communities and agri-business
2014 - 2016
This was an action research project investigating blockers for farmers and agri-business to sourcing and implementing innovations and sustainable practices. It developed an information and knowledge brokering service.
Adaptation
Economic development and business
Education, training and research
Yarriambiack Shire CouncilYarriambiack Shire Council resource efficiency
2011 - 2014
This project helped reduce water use, energy use and carbon emissions of the Yarriambiack Shire Council.
Mitigation
Energy
Water
Moorabool Shire CouncilNatural assets support program
2012 - 2015
The aim of this project was to undertake a review of existing biodiversity protection schemes that are available for private landowners to access, such as Bushbroker and Trust for Nature, investigate the barriers that exist and the role that council could play.
Adaptation
Natural environment
Hepburn Shire CouncilClimate resilient recreation facilities
2015 - 2017
This project is developing an implementation strategy to minimise the vulnerability of council's recreation facilities to climate change, and exploring innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions and water/resource consumption.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Community health and wellbeing
Planning
Pyrenees Shire CouncilBeaufort sustainable water use plan
2015 -2017
This project is developing a sustainable water use plan for the Beaufort township by investigating alternative water sources and matching potential users with those sources, reducing demand on current supplies.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Water
Golden Plains Shire CouncilFire, Conservation and Construction
2015 - 2017
This project is developing online mapping tools and templates to help the community produce more informed environmental, fire and land management plans.
Adaptation
Emergency management
Natural environment
Planning
CouncilsProject detailsAction
Benalla Rural City Council
Campaspe Shire Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Mitchell Shire Council
Moira Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
Goulburn Broken climate change impact analysis project
2010 - 2012
This project helped identify regional climate change impacts, interpreted and prioritised the impacts for each partner council and then translated them into strategic actions around climate change adaptation
Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Benalla Rural City Council
Campaspe Shire Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Mitchell Shire Council
Moira Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
Goulburn Broken local government sustainability training program
2012 - 2014
Staff development program that provideed LGA staff, management and councillors with an understanding of environmental sustainability challenges for communities and LG organisations in the Goulburn Broken region due to climate change impacts.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Indigo Shire CouncilRoadside partnership program connecting landholders to catchment management
2009 - 2011
The Roadside Partnership Project consisted of three main phases:
- Reassessments of conservation values for existing high-value and targeted roadsides, their weed activity and points of interest to incorporate into future management strategies and procedures. New GIS data sets and maps were the result.
- Review of existing Roadside Management Plans for council. Using data collected in Phase 1, council's roadside management plans and practices were analysed to identify opportunities for improvement. The review incorporated changes in regulation and identified areas in which further training and education for staff and the community were required.
- The Landholder Engagement Program (LEP). The LEP engaged with targeted landholders adjacent to valuable roadside corridors to improve their understanding of the ecological significance and value of high quality habitat. The aim was to empower landowners to manage and preserve high quality components of their land and nearby roadsides.
The program included a social behaviour assessment to identify initial knowledge of participants and the capacity of the project to improve their awareness and participation in the designated conservation activities.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Natural environment
Planning
Alpine Shire Council
Benalla Rural City Council
Indigo Shire Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Towong Shire Council
Reduce, Green and Sustain - next generation procurement
2012 - 2016
The project is developing practical tools, templates, processes and training to enable two demonstration councils and three replication councils to increase their environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions by focusing on three core components of procurement.
Mitigation
Education, training and research Leadership and Governance
Indigo Shire CouncilMapping and brokering local energy solutions in Indigo
2011 - 2013
This project examined the potential for local renewable energy throughout Indigo Shire and provided an overview of opportunities for generation at various commercial scales.
Mitigation
Energy
Indigo Shire CouncilClimate Change Adaptation Action Plans
2014 - 2017
This project is providing a comprehensive risk assessment of the potential impacts on the shire's operations, environment, community and economy arising from predicted changes to the climate, enabling council to identify and prioritise actions within it.
Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Mitchell Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
Sustainable Communities Program
2009 - 2010
The project was a three-year "green-living" project that delivered practical workshops across the shires of Mitchell and Strathbogie, as well as the Puckapunyal Military Area, covering a collective population of 40,000. Organisations contributing to the project were Resource GV, Goulburn Valley Water, Yarra Valley Water, BEAM Mitchell Environment Group. The project also collaborated with the Violet Town EcoLiving Project.The program was designed for regional and rural residents and local enterprises, to provide the tools and confidence to enable them to implement sustainable practices in their homes and at work. It aligned with the councils' environment-based strategies that aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, potable water consumption and volume of waste sent to land-fill.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Education, training and research
Mitchell Shire CouncilDon't Waste, Go Solar! 
2012 - 2013
Solar PV panels were installed at the Wallan transfer station and depot, as well as a large screen illustrating the site's energy consumption, generation and footprint. An educational programme and campaign for the community was also developed as part of the project.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Energy
Moira Shire CouncilBackbone to Biolinks
2010 - 2012
This project developed, trialled and delivered an education and training package to local government staff, landholders and community at a number of events within the municipality.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Natural environment
Greater Shepparton City Council
Moira Shire Council
Greening local supply chains for local government
2012 - 2014
The project aimed to improve the sustainability of local government procurement and supply chains. The project delivered a framework and toolkit which can be utilised by regional and rural councils to help support local businesses and industry.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Economic development and business
Leadership and Governance
Moira Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Virtual Renewable Power Stations
2014 - 2016
This project is using regional community owned assets to host renewable energy infrastructure to create a virtual renewable power station and drive adaptation to, and investment in, decentralised electricity generation and distribution infrastructure.
Mitigation
Energy
Benalla Rural City Council
Campaspe Shire Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Moira Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
Climate-smart agricultural development in the Goulburn Broken
2014 - 2016
This project generated and communicated specific long-term data, information and strategic plans to enable local government and agribusinesses in the Goulburn-Broken region to adapt to climate change effectively, with a focus on regional development. The project was undertaken in partnership with Dairy Australia, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, the Goulburn Broken Greenhouse Alliance and the University of Melbourne.
Adaptation
Economic development and business
Murrindindi Shire CouncilDevelopment of a resource and energy efficiency program for key council facilities
2012 - 2014
The project designed a green building program for council. This included strategic identification of sources and levels of greenhouse gas emissions in a selection of council's highest energy using facilities.
Mitigation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Energy
Wangaratta Rural City CouncilPlace and issue based community capacity building
2014 - 2016
This project helped local communities build their understanding of adaptation through an issue based project. Participatory processes helped encourage the community to translate the initial project to broader applications of climate change adaptation.
Adaptation Community health and wellbeing
Education, training and research
Alpine Shire Council
Benalla Rural City Council
Indigo Shire Council
Towong Shire Council
Wangaratta Rural City Council
Wodonga City Council
Resilient Community Facilities
2014 - 2016
This project identified actions to improve the value of community facilities and adapt to climate change impacts. Guidelines have been developed to build resilience into future projects.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Community health and wellbeing
Wodonga City CouncilSustainable water management - Bonegilla Migrant Experience
2012 - 2013
This project helped secure a reliable water supply source for the Bonegilla Migrant Experience Heritage Park and improved water use efficiency.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Water
Towong Shire CouncilBanking on our solar future
2015 - 2017
"Banking on our solar future - innovation for resilient communities" will deliver a demonstration solar bank to educate the community and provide opportunities for individuals and business owners to make more informed investments in energy storage and solar electricity systems.
Mitigation
Energy
Indigo Shire CouncilBattery storage revolution
2015 - 2017
Battery storage offers numerous benefits to vulnerable communities by supporting energy management and building resilience. This project will present the latest information on this rapidly evolving technology for residents thinking about energy storage. Understanding will be enhanced through a demonstration site.
Mitigation
Energy
CouncilsProject detailsAction
Buloke Shire CouncilHarvesting Our Solar Energy
2011 - 2012
Installation of a 21kW solar PV system on council building.
Mitigation
Energy
Buloke Shire Council
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Gannawarra Shire Council
Loddon Shire Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Resilient community assets
2014 - 2016
The primary objective of the project is to improve the capacity of the six councils (Central Goldfields, Gannawarra, Buloke, Loddon, Mount Alexander and Macedon Ranges) to embed climate change adaptation policies and programs.
Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Gannawarra Shire CouncilLiving green in Gannawarra and surrounds
2009 - 2011
The project focused on education and community engagement, to foster long term sustainibility behaviour change.
Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Education, training and research
Greater Bendigo City CouncilA Shared Journey: service delivery in a changing climate
2011 - 2012
Development of a workshop series delivered to council staff and councillors, embedding sustainability issues across the various sectors of council business.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Buloke Shire Council
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Greater Bendigo City Council
Loddon Shire Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Creating a climate resilient Southern Loddon Mallee
2012 - 2015
This project sought to understand the current and potential future climate-related vulnerability of the Southern Loddon Mallee Region's economy and community. This understanding will contribute to identifying and implementing ongoing practical action.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Loddon Shire CouncilLoddon Shire Climate Change Adaptation Plan
2012 - 2015
Project focussed on implementing prioritised actions from the updated Loddon Shire Environmental Sustainability Plan
Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Macedon Ranges Shire CouncilAdaptive natural area management plans for council's bushland reserves
2011 - 2013
Project helped develop natural area management plans to ensure that management techniques are in place to protect and enhance the sustainability and well being of land under council's protection.
Adaptation
Natural environment
Planning
Mildura Rural City CouncilEducating and engaging a sustainable community
2012 - 2015
This project developed and delivered targeted sustainability messages to the Mildura community.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Education, training and research
Mount Alexander Shire CouncilBuilding the Buzz
2012 - 2015
Boosting council's sustainability knowledge and commitment offering opportunities for council staff to upskill in embedding sustainability into daily work, including: green scholarships; skill sharing with metropolitan councils; sustainability events; and behaviour change techniques.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Education, training and research
Leadership and Governance
Swan Hill Rural City CounciSmarter Buildings project
2012 - 2013
This project was a review of energy use creating the opportunity to retrofit council owned buildings. The project included educating and empowering council staff about energy reduction opportunities.
Mitigation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Education, training and research
Mount Alexander Shire CouncilMount Alexander waste-to-energy
2015 - 2017
The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group's community renewable waste-to-energy project has undertaken a pre-feasibility of bio-energy opportunities at the Castlemaine waste (landfill and sewerage) and heavy industry (foundry and panel beater) precinct. Council is now supporting the next stage of the project; a detailed feasibility study of the three identified waste-to-energy technologies and their potential integration.
Adaptation
Energy
Gannawarra Shire CouncilBe cool in Gannawarra
2015 -2017
This project will further develop council's Home and Community Care and Maternal Child Health assessment processes to include heat as a vulnerability. This will facilitate discussions with clients, leading to a pathway that will result in better understanding and preparation for the most vulnerable in the region's community. "Heat packs" for vulnerable people will be developed, including resources providing practical advice, support and other information.
Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
CouncilsProject detailsAction
Boroondara City Council
Knox City Council
Maroondah City Council
Monash City Council
Stonnington City Council
Whitehorse City Council
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Bushland and urban biodiversity management in a changing climate
2014 - 2015
This project developed and tested a framework for monitoring biodiversity and habitat health together with potential climate-related impacts to help councils manage their biodiversity assets better.
Adaptation
Natural environment
Cardinia Shire CouncilTracking utility data to enable council reporting against targets
2012
This project employed a Utility Officer for 12 months to assess, make recommendations, and implement a utility tracking system that provided council with the capacity to report against their greenhouse gas emission and water consumption targets.
Mitigation
Energy
Water
Casey City CouncilProtecting the Western Port community from the impacts of climate change
2009 - 2010
Projected impacts due to climate change around Western Port include an increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Typically, the response to these events is provided through a largely volunteer service. The project provided intensive community engagement for dealing with emergency response, including developing community preparedness to minimise the impacts of events.
Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Bass Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
Bayside City Council
Cardinia Shire Council
Casey City Council
Greater Dandenong City Council
Kingston City Council
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Local Government Climate Change Financial Risk Adaptation Planning (FRAP)
2014 - 2016
The FRAP project developed a framework for risk assessment and financial analysis to assist council risk managers and planners understand the budgetary risks to south east councils from climate change and build adaptation into their financial planning. Project was managed by the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA).
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Economic development and business
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Darebin City CouncilPublic Lighting Action Program
2007 - 2009
Sustainable street lighting (project managed by the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action)
Mitigation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Energy
Darebin City CouncilTalking my Language: environmental information and action in diverse communities
2011 - 2012
Project helped engage with culturally and linguistically diverse communities on the topics of sustainability and climate change.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Darebin City Council
Melbourne City Council
Whittlesea City Council
Yarra City Council
Adaptation mechanisms for vulnerable low income and rental households
2014 - 2015
This project sought to address information and financial barriers to improving the climate resilience of housing for vulnerable low income and rental households. It tested the effectiveness of both direct and mediated approaches through two different engagement channels to engage and encourage rental landlords to improve their properties. The first channel was through the council's rates database; the second was through real estate agents. Financial barriers were assessed through an investigation of the effectiveness of using the rates mechanism to access difficult to reach groups and the use of incentives to enable housing retrofits.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Community health and wellbeing
Economic development and business
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Greater Dandenong City CouncilDeveloping a model to build councils capacity to work together on NRM projects
2010 - 2011
The objective of the project was to use the experiences and lessons learnt from developing a successful collaborative program ("Living Links"). Elements were identified to enable councils to participate and facilitate multi-council and natural resource agency projects.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Planning
Hobsons Bay City CouncilKororoit Creek: a structure for implementing sustainable catchment management
2007 - 2010
Led by Hobsons Bay City Council in partnership with Melton Shire, Brimbank City, and Wyndham City councils as well as the Victorian State Government, Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria this project developed an agreed management approach to coordinate and implement actions within the Kororoit Creek Regional Strategy 2005 – 2030
Adaptation
Natural environment Planning
Hume City CouncilPublic Lighting Action Program
2010 - 2012
Sustainable street lighting (project managed by the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action).
Mitigation / Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Hume City CouncilHeatwave help for Hume home care clients
2014 - 2015
Free retrofits were made available to home care clients who are most vulnerable to heatwave impacts. These retrofits included draught sealing, window coverings and the provision of fans. Information on keeping cool and low cost cooling options were also provided to eligible residents who took up the offer. Hume Council engaged agency staff to conduct retrofits, and heat wave training was provided to Hume Direct Care Workers via Kildonan Uniting Care.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Community health and wellbeing
Alpine Shire Council
Knox City Council
Melbourne City Council
Port Phillip City Council
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Sustainability In the Early Years
2012 - 2015
This project employed a project officer to work with five urban and rural councils across Victoria to develop an Early Years Education for Sustainability Framework, piloted in multiple early years service settings in each partner council. The Framework and supporting resources, tools and training programs were developed to be flexible across different local government management structures and designed to be transferrable.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Darebin City Council
Manningham City Council
Moreland City Council
Yarra City Council
Accelerating sustainable buildings in the local government sector 2008 - 2010
Project helped to reduce the environmental impact of council buildings.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Manningham City CouncilCommunicating energy use In local communities
2012 - 2013
This project developed a response plan to address climate change risks to the western metropolitan Melbourne region and was undertaken in partnership with the Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action and its member councils.
Adaptation Energy
Leadership and Governance
Brimbank City Council
Greater Geelong City Council
Hobsons Bay City Council
Maribyrnong City Council
Moonee Valley City Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Wyndham City Council
Climate change risk adaptation response plan
2012 - 2013
Partner councils developed a response plan to address climate change risks to the western metropolitan Melbourne region. This project was undertaken in partnership with the Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action.
Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Boroondara City Council
Knox City Council
Maroondah City Council
Monash City Council
Stonnington City Council
Whitehorse City Council
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Climate change adaptation roadmap for decision makers in Melbourne’s East
2013 - 2016
Partner councils undertook a regional climate change risk assessment and determined the cross-municipality adaptation response actions for integration into existing plans and strategies of each member council. This project was undertaken in partnership with the Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action.
Mitigation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Melbourne City CouncilValuing urban trees
2010 - 2012
This project helped place a financial value on the environmental benefits of urban trees to provide future guidance for urban decision makers such as urban designers, planners and policy makers.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Planning
Melbourne City CouncilGrowing green guide for Melbourne: a how-to guide for green roofs, walls and facades
2012 - 2014
This project developed "The Growing Green Guide" which provides a practical tool to help increase the knowledge and reduce the technical barriers related to green roof, green wall and facade construction.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Community health and wellbeing
Natural environment
Planning
Banyule City Council
Kingston City Council
Moonee Valley City Council
Assessing the economic value of green infrastructure
2014 - 2015
This project developed an economic framework to value the benefits of green infrastructure to help with the development of business cases. Green infrastructure helps build resilience to drought, extreme heat and floods, improves health and liveability, and provides ecosystem services. This project was undertaken in partnership with Victoria University.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Community health and wellbeing
Natural environment
Planning
Moreland City CouncilSustainable design assessment in the planning process
2007 - 2014
This project was a partnership between the Moreland Energy Foundation (MEFL) and 16 local councils to develop and implement a sustainable design assessment in the planning process. This process has now evolved into the Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS).
Mitigation / Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Planning
Bayside City Council
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Are you ready?
2014 - 2016
Development of an interactive website (http://www.climateready.com.au/) to assist residents of all partner councils to learn about the risks to their property and lifestyle associated with climate change and help them to plan for the future. The website allows residents to prepare individual action plans based on their specific climate change risks and situation. This project was undertaken with Green Cross Australia.
Adaptation
Education, training and research
Bayside City Council
Borough of Queenscliff Council
Frankston City Council
Greater Geelong City Council
Hobsons Bay City Council
Kingston City Council
Melbourne City Council
Port Phillip City Council
Plan for Port Phillip Bay - a regional coastal adaptation framework
2014 - 2016
A regional level partnership between Association of Bayside Municipality member councils (and others) to establish and implement a common approach to embed climate change adaptation in coastal decision making and to build capacity to use climate and non-climate assessment information. It involves guiding investment, planning, infrastructure and decision making with a regionally consistent methodogy, built on a strong commitment to a Regional Coastal Adaptation Framework to drive and coordinate implementation at a regional and local level.
Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Natural environment
Planning
Banyule City Council
Darebin City Council
Hume City Council
Manningham City Council
Melbourne City Council
Moreland City Council
Nillumbik Shire Council
Whittlesea City Council
Yarra City Council
Integrated Regional Vulnerability Assessment
2014 - 2015
The Integrated Regional Vulnerability Assessment built upon a regional approach to climate change adaptation planning through the development of an integrated vulnerability assessment and regional adaptation plan. This project was undertaken with the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA).
Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Brimbank City Council
Greater Geelong City Council
Hobsons Bay City Council
Maribyrnong City Council
Moonee Valley City Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Wyndham City Council
How Well Are We Adapting?
2014 - 2016
This project involved the research and development of:
- a framework to monitor, evaluate and report on participating councils' climate change adaptation performance in key services, including a set of tested indicators; and
- best-practice tools for reporting to the community on climate change adaptation performance.
This project was undertaken with the Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action (WAGA).
Adaptation
Leadership and Governance
Planning
Yarra City CouncilTowards Zero Net Emissions
2008 - 2009
This project helped council move towards zero net emissions by enabling the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action partnership to research carbon offsets and develop a common methodology for carbon projects for all local governments.
Mitigation
Energy
Banyule City Council
Darebin City Council
Hume City Council
Manningham City Council
Melbourne City Council
Moreland City Council
Nillumbik Shire Council
Yarra City Council
Local Energy Consumption Data
2010 - 2011
In this project, Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) members advanced data sharing arrangements and management of community energy consumption data to provide a basis for tracking progress on energy consumption at the local level.
Mitigation
Energy
Yarra Ranges Shire CouncilBushland management and climate change
2011 - 2014
Yarra Ranges Council investigated the current understanding of the potential impacts of climate change on the ability of local governments to manage their biodiversity and bushland assets. The goal was to identify challenges and opportunities, and, ultimately, identify next steps to enable success. This project was undertaken with the Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action.
Mitigation
Natural environment
Planning
Moreland City CouncilWorking together to cool communities
2015 - 2017
This project is investigating how the impacts of the urban heat island effect can be minimised for vulnerable social housing residents. It is trialling and evaluating cost-effective mitigation measures and delivery options, and will create a replicable model for wider implementation.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Community health and wellbeing
Planning
Yarra City CouncilEmbedding green infrastructure toolkit
2015 - 2017
This project is developing an "Embedding Green Infrastructure Best Practice Toolkit" to increase tree planting, water sensitive urban design and other green infrastructure. It will be an evidence-based manual on how to embed into local government decision making and operations.
Mitigation / Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Natural environment
Planning
Water
Yarra Ranges Shire CouncilEastern Sporting Savers
2015 - 2017
The seven councils of the Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (EAGA) will deliver a customised engagement program to assist the region's sports clubs save on their energy bills in a way that's fun, achievable and community-led.
Adaptation
Assets, infrastructure and transport
Energy

Page last updated: 22/10/24