Environmentally Sustainable Design Policy & Standards

Climate Emergency

In February 2020, Mildura Rural City Council became the 30^th Local Government in Victoria, and the 94^th in Australia, to declare a climate emergency.

Part (ii) of the Council motion included an action to ‘Obtain current base line greenhouse gas emissions levels on municipal services, operations and infrastructure, and implement and report on a strategy to reduce these emissions including an analysis of our capacity to reach a target of zero-net emissions by 2050’.

Towards Zero Emissions Strategy

The Towards Zero Emissions Strategy 2021-2050 addresses the motion above and commits Council to achieving zero-net emissions by 2040 (excluding landfill) and 2050 (including landfill). It outlines priority areas to achieve the target by reducing carbon emissions associated with Council’s services, operations and infrastructure.

What is Environmentally Sustainable Design?

Creating built environments that reduce environmental impact while promoting health and quality of life.

This approach integrates sustainability into design and construction by minimising resource use, waste, and pollution through strategies such as energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable materials, and passive design.

Environmentally Sustainable Design Policy & Standards

Council’s Environmentally Sustainable Design Policy and Standards outline best practices for new builds, major retrofits, and equipment purchases, supporting the targets set in the Towards Zero Emissions Strategy 2021-2050.

Environmentally-Sustainable-Design-Policy.pdf(PDF, 493KB)

Environmentally-Sustainable-Design-Standards.pdf(PDF, 8MB)

Gas to Electric Transition

Through its Towards Zero Emissions Strategy 2021-2050, Council has committed to transition all council owned/managed buildings and facilities from natural and LPG gas to 100 percent renewable sources by 2030.

No new gas connections or gas appliances will be permitted in all Council owned/managed buildings.

When existing gas equipment reaches end of life, it must be replaced with an energy efficient electric alternative.

Gas to Electric Study

In November 2023, Council undertook a gas to electric study at Council owned buildings and facilities, including leased sites. This determined:

• The gas assets at each site.
• The appropriate energy efficient electric alternatives to replace the gas assets.
• Power upgrades required at each site.
• The estimated cost of replacing the gas appliances/equipment.

Questions & Answers for Lease Holders