Creating a zero carbon, circular and climate resilient city

This new strategic direction gathers together the many ways Council can 'lead by example' to maximise our impact.

Our actions under this direction aim to influence other local governments, our suppliers (of goods and services), and Victorian and Australian government policy and legislation, as well as our community.

Council 2030 Goals

Under this direction, the action plan proposes several goals for Council to achieve by 2030. These are just some of these goals:

  • Electrifying Council facilities: Pending external grant funding, a further 2 gas-heated aquatic centres have been electrified, cutting their energy-related emissions to zero. Priority sites for electrification by 2030 include Oak Park Sports & Aquatic Centre and Brunswick Baths.
  • Coburg Library and piazza: Coburg Piazza is contributing to the resilience of the local environment through climate positive design, leadership in integrated water management, regenerative landscape and urban biodiversity, and sustainable and durable materials.
  • Climate resilient community facilities: Climate vulnerability improvements (e.g. insulation, flood-proofing, shading) have been completed on at least 5-10 community venues.
  • Public realm infrastructure (roads, bridges, paths, parks, streetscapes, wetlands etc): Council has a formal policy, design guidance, technical notes and transparent processes being implemented to prioritise, deliver, monitor and verify consideration of zero carbon, circularity and climate resilience in its infrastructure projects.
  • Council light fleet: Council’s annual consumption of fossil fuels by our light passenger vehicles (sedan, hatch) has reduced to zero, and fossil fuels consumed by light commercial vehicles (utes, buses, vans) has reduced by 90%, against a 2024/25 baseline.

Key actions include:

  • Using planning permit and compliance processes to influence the design and construction of new multi-unit dwellings, commercial and industrial developments.
  • Evolving how Council designs and delivers building and infrastructure projects.
  • Continue switching Council’s fleet to zero emissions vehicles.
  • Continue to buy 100% renewable electricity for all Council operations.
  • Evolve our festivals and cultural events program to reduce environmental impacts and reduce risks of event cancellation due to extreme weather.
  • Consider climate risk in all Council processes and systems.