Energy

Energy Water Taskforce

Australian studies have shown we waste up to 30% of the energy used in our homes.  Improving energy and water efficiency means you can enjoy your home more while costing you less.

Energy Water Taskforce is a free program for Concession Card holders living in Coolaroo, Meadow Heights or Campbellfield.  They can help make your home more comfortable and lower your energy bills by giving you:

• Free products to make your home more energy and water efficient – installed at no charge
• The right energy efficiency advice for your home

To register, call Kildonan Uniting Care on 8401 0100, or self register at www.mefl.com.au

Supported by Hume City Council this program is delivered in partnership with Kildonan Uniting Care and Moreland Energy Foundation.

We are committed to reducing energy and greenhouse gas emissions in our operations. We run a series of programs that aim to reduce the energy and greenhouse gas emissions of households and businesses in Hume City. Community members can assist in achieving this vision by getting involved in a range of programs, grants and subsidies.

What can I do? Available Rebates

Gas Hot Water Rebate Program

Provides rebates for households which are currently operating an electric water heater to purchase a 5 star energy rated LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) and natural gas water heater. Rebates of up to $1,000 are available.

To check eligibility, visit the ResourceSmart website or call the 1300 366 195 hotline.

Whitegoods Appliance Rebate
This rebate is available for concession card holders only. It is to help them buy energy efficient fridges and washing machines. The rebate is available through the 'No Interest Loan Scheme', 'Progress Loans Program' or the 'Good Shepherd Buying' service.

For more information, visit the Sustainability Victoria website or call 8626 8700.

Home Sustainability Assessment
The Green Start program will provide grants to individuals or organisations including community and welfare sector Non-Government Organisations, to provide practical help to low income and disadvantaged Australian households to improve their energy efficiency, including support for implementing projects or actions to reduce energy use. Further information on the Green Start program will be released at a later date.

If you have an enquiry about the Green Start Program, please call 1300 778 451.

Electricity Feed-in Tariff
The Victorian Feed-in Tariff scheme rewards households that install a renewable energy system by crediting or paying them for the excess electricity they generate.

Two types of feed-in tariffs are available:

• premium feed-in tariff is for small scale solar/photovoltaic (PV) power systems
• standard feed-in tariff is for larger PV, wind, hydro and biomass renewable energy systems.

Read more about the Victorian Feed-in Tariff scheme at the Department of Primary Industries website.

To see Federal and State Government Rebates visit the Government's Living Greener website www.livinggreener.gov.au

Energy Saving Tips
Read our Energy Saving fact sheet.pdf (231.79 kb) to find out how you can save energy in your home.

What Council is Doing

Greenhouse Action Plan
We have begun implementing the Greenhouse Action Plan for the 2009-2011 period. This plan will see us reduce greenhouse emissions by 10 percent from the year 2000 level (a yearly annual reduction of 5,104 tonnes). This plan addresses emissions produced by council operations, such as:

• landfill emissions
• emissions from council operated buildings (such as the Broadmeadows office)
• emissions from council's fleet of vehicles (such as passenger and work vehicles)
• emissions from streetlights.

For more information download our Greenhouse Action Plan 2009-2011.pdf (1016.84 kb)

Business Efficiency Network

The Business Efficiency Network works with Hume businesses to support knowledge sharing and capacity building to bring about greater environmental benefits. The Network hosts regular forums on a variety of topics focusing on improving business efficiency. The Network works with all businesses (no matter how large or small).

For more information about the BEN contact the Business Efficiency Network Officer by calling 9205 2200.

Towards Zero Net Emissions

Towards Zero Net Emissions.pdf (1931.04 kb) is a regional strategy which aims to reduce greenhouse emissions across the northern metropolitan Melbourne region. Hume's focus will be on programs that encourage industry to improve their efficiency, resulting in greater benefits for the environment.

Read the Towards Zero Net Emissions strategy to find out more information.

Get Informed - What is Climate Change?
The natural greenhouse effect warms the planet and allows humans to live on the Earth. For millions of years, water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases have occurred naturally, heating the atmosphere and making Earth liveable.

However, human activities, mainly the burning of fossil fuels, intensive agriculture and land clearing, are causing greenhouse gas concentrations to rise above natural levels, further heating the planet. This is called the enhanced greenhouse effect.

As the concentrations of these gases in the lower atmosphere grows, global temperatures rise, causing changes to weather conditions worldwide. The enhanced greenhouse effect is often referred to as global warming or climate change.

What is the Effect of Climate Change?
It is difficult to predict what the impacts of climate change will be. Best estimates are that by 2030 Australia will face:

It is difficult to predict what the impacts of climate change will be. Best estimates are that by 2030 Australia will face:

• a further 1ºC of warming in temperatures
• up to 20 percent more months of drought
• up to 25 percent increase in days of very high or extreme fire danger
• increases in storm surges and severe weather events
• loss of native plant and animal biodiversity

Australia is very vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We are already the driest inhabited continent on earth, heavily exposed to the dangers of extreme heat and drought.

Impact on Hume City
A significant portion of land in Hume is rural in nature (65 percent). The impacts of climate change are being felt in these areas, in particular in reduced crop output and increased weed numbers.

A significant portion of land in Hume is rural in nature (65 percent). The impacts of climate change are being felt in these areas, in particular in reduced crop output and increased weed numbers.

In 2009 the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) compiled data from Victorian electricity and gas distributors to provide a state-wide picture of Victoria's household energy use. Data from the Victorian State Government show that on average Hume residents use about 10 percent more energy than the state average. This results in a larger carbon footprint in Hume City.

View the documents below that provide more information about reducing Hume's greenhouse gas emissions:

Greenhouse Action Plan 2009-2011.pdf (1016.84 kb)
This plan addresses emissions produced by council operations.

For additional information view the websites and documents below that relate to climate change, as well as energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

Moreland Energy Foundation Limited (MEFL)
MEFL is an organisation that facilitates Community Action on greenhouse gas emissions. MEFL works with the Moreland community to help people, business, schools and community groups make informed, energy-smart lifestyle choices.

Towards Zero Net Emissions Strategy
This is a regional strategy to address significant reductions in carbon emissions in the fast-growing region of northern metropolitan Melbourne.

Federal and State Government Rebates
Rebates and assistance are provided by the Australian Government and most state and territory governments. Use this page to find the rebates that may apply in your location.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the International body who oversees the issue of climate change and its effects on a global scale.

Garnaut Review
The foremost report which is referred to in Australia regarding climate change and its effects is the Garnaut review.

Victorian Climate Change White Paper
At the state level, the Victorian Government has recently released its climate change 'White Paper'. It details the Government's action plan for climate change into the future.