Climate change

Yarra Ranges Council measures its corporate greenhouse gas emissions each year to ensure we are on track to Net Zero by 2040. These emissions are calculated according to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Scheme where available, and various other best-practice estimation methodologies and frameworks.

July 2023 - June 2024 data

Yarra Ranges Council is part of the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO), the largest emissions reduction project lead by local governments in Australia. Together with 50 other participating councils, we are using 100% renewable energy produced here in Victoria to power our buildings, sporting facilities, streetlights, public barbecues, and electric vehicle charging stations. Since July 2022, The VECO project has reduced not only Council’s greenhouse emissions but also has significantly reduced electricity costs. The many community groups leasing council facilities are also sharing these benefits.

Find out more about VECO 

More than 65 Council buildings have solar PV installed, generating up to 1.47MWp of renewable electricity that is fed back into a range of facilities, including libraries, links, halls, sport pavilions and venues. The remainder of our energy supply that is not provided on-site is received through the Victorian Energy Collaboration, allowing our facilities to be powered by 100% renewable energy.

Find out where our solar installations are:

Council received a state government grant through the Growing Suburbs Fund to build a Biochar Facility. This was a flagship action in the Liveable Climate Plan and will contribute to the net zero emission goal.

By making biochar from woody waste and other plant material, we are stabilising carbon that was absorbed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis when the plants were growing.

Find out more about the biochar facility

Extreme weather events, including storms, heatwaves, and bushfires, are becoming increasingly common across the country due to climate change, often resulting in extended power outages. In response, Council is increasing the energy resilience of townships throughout the Yarra Ranges by installing solar and battery backup power systems equipped with generator plug-in points at key Council facilities.

These systems can be activated and used by the community during prolonged power outages. Council is also conducting energy upgrades at various facilities including the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting to reduce energy consumption at these facilities. This not only lowers utility bills for tenants but also extends the operational time of backup systems.

The 33 sites that have been completed so far are: 

• Healesville Library/Link
• Dixons Creek Hall & Pavilion
• Macclesfield Public Hall
• Menzies Creek Recreation Reserve Pavilion C/B
• Montrose Sports Pavilion
• Lilydale Depot
• Steels Creek Community Centre
• Wesburn Reserve Pavilion
• Yarra Junction Shire Depot
• Warburton - Sporting Complex
• Chirnside Park Community Hub
• Esther Park Senior Soccer Pavilion
• Japara Living and Learning Centre
• Monbulk Community Sports Pavilion
• Belgrave Community Hub
• Warburton Bowling Club
• Don Road Sporting Complex - Netball/Soccer Pavilion
• Montrose Town Centre and Library
• Morrison Reserve Sports Pavilion
• Upwey Senior Citizens/meals on wheels (Blue Hills Centre)
• Wandin North Community Sporting Pavilion
• Yarraburn Centre
• Monbulk Water Harvesting system
• Golden Wattle Club - Healesville
• Mt Evelyn CIRE Community School
• Warburton Waterwheel
• Seville Pre School
• Hansen Park Pre School
• Palm Grove Preschool
• Yarra Glen Memorial Hall
• Yarra Centre Pool
• Olinda Recreation Reserve Pavilion
• Coldstream Community Centre
• Monbulk Community Link

Federal government funding has enabled Council to partner with Monash University to conduct a microgrid feasibility study in Healesville, Yarra Junction and Monbulk.

Find out more about microgrids.

As part of our Integrated Transport Strategy we aim to connect neighbourhoods and create 20-minute walking zones which will help foster local community connection. The Footpath Prioritisation Framework we’re developing will guide where footpath links should be created.

Council purchase two Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicles for its fleet in 2018 and eight Hino hybrid tipper trucks were purchased in 2021. The trucks are used for township maintenance duties and works at sporting fields parks and bushlands. The hybrid truck provides an increased efficiency over diesel engine-trucks, with a fuel saving of 25%, reducing greenhouse gasses.

Council also uses eBikes for recreation trail inspections. These bikes allow greater access to tricky to reach areas while reducing council’s carbon footprint.

The number of publicly available chargers in Yarra Ranges is increasing. Council is working with electric vehicle charging companies to further development of a the network of electric vehicle charging stations in Yarra Ranges.

Electric Vehicle Charging for Council Fleet Vehicles

To support the charging requirements of an expanding electric vehicle fleet, Council has installed two more electric vehicle (EV) chargers for charging Council’s fleet EVs. One at Monbulk Living and Learning Centre and the other at Yarra Junction Community Link.

The charger at Monbulk Living and Learning Centre is a 22kW charger and can charge one vehicle at a time.

The charger at Yarra Junction Community Link is a 50kW charger that can charge two vehicles at a time.

This was funded by Council and a grant from the Victorian Government’s Electric Vehicle Charging for Council Fleets Grant Program. 

More Council EV chargers means that staff have more charging options available when delivering services across the municipality. It also means that Council can add more EVs to its fleet. More EVs in the fleet will progress Council towards its target of a zero emissions fleet by 2030. 

More electric vehicle chargers are also planned for Lilydale Civic Centre for fleet vehicle charging.

Public electric vehicle charging in Yarra Ranges

50kW DC fast chargers are available to the public at Yarra Glen(Chargefox), Yarra Junction, Belgrave and Healesville (Evie Networks).

Council is ensuring new buildings and facilities upgrades will be completed using the sustainable design principles. 

Council is working on a Policy for Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) upgrades and improvements to guide decisions on building design.  Lifecycle assessment costs – social, economic and environmental – will be used to determine design to ensure long term operation costs are minimal, along with limiting the impact to the environment while ensuring our facilities are fit for purpose and comfortable for our community.

Council are members with Council Alliance for the Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE)  and the Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) to ensure we are across the latest in this field and work collaboratively with other Local Governments.

Council’s Sustainability Team has many projects underway including:

• Solar program – continue with installation of rooftop solar on council and community buildings
• Climate resilient buildings - upgrades to community facilities to withstand the pressures of climate change and ensure they can be used as community hubs and gathering points following power outage
• Energy resilient townships – installing a microgrid in Monbulk, supporting community-led neighbourhood batteries, and education campaigns to support local energy resilience. 
• Place-based Climate Adaptation – council support for place-based climate adaptation and emergency resilience efforts, including the roll out of The Adaptation Game.
• Community energy transition - partner with Solar Savers to ensure homeowners can make the switch to renewable energy or borrow a My Energy & Water Saver kit to assess household efficiency.
• Business Energy Transition - programs including, Energy Saver Program  continue to support businesses to reduce operating expenses and improve their sustainability brand
• ‘Climate thinking’ integrated across Council to ensure environmental sustainable design is considered from the outset
• Water management – protecting our platypus from increased stormwater flows with community help through catchment scale rainwater tanks. Transforming stormwater for fit for purpose use in irrigation and public toilets.
• Resource Smart Schools – environmentally focussed education in local schools and schools across the eastern region in partnership with (EASL).

(PDF, 2MB)

Yarra Ranges Council Sustainability Report 2023-2024(PDF, 2MB)

Yarra Ranges Council Sustainability Report 2022-2023(PDF, 3MB)

Yarra Ranges Council Sustainability Report 2022-2023 SUMMARY(PDF, 2MB)

Yarra Ranges Council Sustainability Report 2022(PDF, 3MB)

Yarra Ranges Council Sustainability Report 2021(PDF, 2MB)