E-vehicle for CHW fleet

WITH goals to reduce their carbon emissions, Central Highlands Water’s fleet of company cars now includes an electric vehicle.

In the next four years CHW is aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent and managing director Paul O’Donohue said adding the Nissan LEAF e+ to operations is a step towards achieving that target.

“Since finalising our social procurement strategy in early 2020, we have continued to drive and improve our environmentally sustainable business practices and create opportunities for our team members to support action on climate change,” he said.

Mike Quartermain from water board’s civil maintenance delivery team has driven the electric car which he said felt comfy and safe.

“It is even better to see new environmentally focused technology become part of our day-to-day business, knowing that it assists in reducing carbon emissions,” he said.

Sustainability and reducing emissions are customer priorities, evident within CHW’s Let’s Talk Water feedback.

Since this receiving this resident information, they installed a mini hydro station at Lal Lal Reservoir, which could power approximately 80 houses, and solar systems CHW expects will reduce their emissions by up to 3745 tonnes annually.

“CHW is well placed to contribute towards Victoria achieving its ambitious state-wide emissions reduction targets and to achieving net-zero emissions in the water sector, as pledged under Victoria’s water plan,” a spokesperson said.

Alongside their sustainability initiatives are social ones. CHW partners with McCallum Disability Services on a fleet carwash, and has constructed safety bollards around Gong Gong Reservoir Park’s new facilities.