Electric vehicle powers up shire’s MCH service

THE Surf Coast Shire has added a new electric vehicle to its flee, for the use of the shire’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) team.

The MCH team’s nurses use the shire’s EVs and hybrids to travel across the municipality to provide care and support to families with young children.

This initiative supports the delivery of the shire’s Child and Family Health services, while reducing emissions and demonstrating a commitment to environmental leadership.

On any given day, a single MCH nurse may travel up to 140km to provide care to families with new babies.

In the past financial year, 363 babies were born in the Surf Coast Shire and visited at home by MCH nurses.

Last year, 1,456 children aged 0-6 years had access to the MCH service, either through home visits or at one of the centres in Torquay, Winchelsea, Anglesea, Moriac, and Lorne.

In line with the Climate Emergency Response Plan, the shire has committed to move to all-electric passenger vehicles by 2028.

The shire’s approved passenger vehicles are now Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and Toyota Corolla Hybrid, which save approximately 35 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions compared to their petrol equivalents.

Along with improving its use of passenger vehicles, the shire has saved about 5,377 litres of fuel in the 2023-24 financial year, compared to 2022-23.

“Incorporating EVs into our MCH services allows us to continue delivering support to Surf Coast Shire families while actively contributing to a healthier environment,” shire mayor Liz Pattison said.

“As part of our recently updated 2023-2025 Climate Emergency Action Plan, we have an enhanced focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pursuing renewable energy.”

“The introduction of EVs is a key step in our broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and demonstrate environmental leadership.

“By transitioning to EVs, we are making a direct impact on reducing our carbon footprint, supporting our environment goals.

“Our aim is to transition all council vehicles to electric to be a part of a sustainable future for the Surf Coast Shire community.”