Borough adopts climate response plan

Hello to all our residents, ratepayers and visitors to the Borough of Queenscliffe.

The past fortnight has been a reminder of how quickly our circumstances can change, but I’m confident that our strong-willed community will be able to get through what is hopefully a short and sharp lockdown once more. I implore all our residents to follow the Victorian Government restrictions and guidelines, to help support our local businesses where you can – be it via take-away or online – and most importantly, to stay safe and connected.

Climate Emergency Response Plan adopted

The Queenscliff Town Hall was the busiest it’s been in nearly 18 months during our May council meeting when about 150 locals attended – both inside and outside the building – to see council formally adopted our Climate Emergency Response Plan.

The plan, which was developed in partnership with the community, commits to achieving net zero emissions by 2031, as well as interim steps including matching local electricity consumption with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.

We are proud to be a leader in climate action, and adopting this plan is our strongest commitment yet to making the borough more climate-friendly.

This plan will help everyone in the borough take action to combat climate change, and we’re looking forward to working with the community to achieve each of the 49 individual actions in the plan.

Borough to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy

The Borough of Queenscliffe is proud to be one of 46 councils to sign on to the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO), the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia. Beginning on July 1, 2021, the VECO will power 45 per cent of all Victorian councils’ electricity requirements with renewable energy, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

This demonstrates our commitment to a more sustainable future, and integrates particularly well with our new Climate Emergency Response Plan. Signing up to power all our facilities with renewable energy will help council reduce its environmental impact while supporting local renewable energy projects and jobs at two Victorian wind farms.

Pedestrian safety in Queenscliff

You may have noticed that construction on a new pedestrian crossing in Gellibrand Street is now complete. This crossing will reduce the speed of vehicles travelling along the road, as well as linking pedestrian pathways from Hobson Street through to Princess Park and beyond.

The completed project features a wombat crossing (raised zebra crossing with speed hump) and traffic calming features such as road narrowing and fencing.

As part of council’s further work on pedestrian safety in Queenscliff, we resolved at the April Ordinary Meeting to implement new crossing points on Hesse Street and set a permanent speed limit of 40km/h. We anticipate this to be completed by the end of the month.

A shout-out to our wonderful volunteers

It was fortunate timing that we were able to celebrate, in person, the efforts of the many volunteers living and working in the borough at a special function at 360Q late last month. I was pleased to be there and say a few words about the importance of volunteerism in our small community, as well as thank the many attendees for their significant contributions to our quality of life.

Save on power with solar

The Geelong+ Community Solar Program is designed to help homeowners and businesses switch to clean, affordable energy with high quality solar and battery solutions, delivered by the region’s leading solar providers. The program is an initiative of Geelong Sustainability and is supported by all local G21 councils, including the Borough of Queenscliffe.

The team were set to hold a couple of events at the Queenscliff Town Hall tonight (Thursday), but these have been postponed due to the current lockdown. That doesn’t mean you can’t learn more about what the program entails, though.

This exciting venture is the region’s largest ever community bulk-buy solar program that can help save you money on your power bills. Visit geelongcommunitysolar.com.au to read more and get in touch.

As always, if you have any questions or just want to chat about the borough, feel free to drop me a line.

Kind regards,

Cr Ross Ebbels

Mayor

Borough of Queenscliffe