Posts filed under ‘Moreland Council’
Is Moreland Council Fossil Fuel Divestment strategy on track?
2018 Report Card on the big 4 banks and fossil fuels – Market Forces
At the Moreland Council meeting on the 9th May a question was raised over the Council’s transactional banking services, and whether it was in accord with the Fossil Fuel Divestment Strategy (PDF) adopted in 2015 as a result of a campaign by Climate Action Moreland, 350.org and local residents.
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Carbon emissions and footprint of different transport types
Comparison of carbon emissions, and footprint, by transport type. Chart by @ElliotFishman via @PTUA
While transition to Electric Vehicles is perhaps a part of the solution, the real need is to increase public transport quality, service and frequency, and increase cycling and walking infrastructure, to create environmentally friendly social urban environments where people want to work, live, and visit and live their lives.
Transition to Electric Vehicles is only a small part of the solution, even when these vehicles are 100% renewables recharged (ie not dependant on a largely coal based grid). Electric Vehicles still contain a substantial space footprint use in our urban environment.
We already have so many parking issues around the Moreland municipality that just changing to electric vehicles isn’t going to solve the many space and parking problems in an urban environment, whether it be in Brunswick, Coburg, Glenroy or Fawkner. We clearly need to think laterally to find solutions.
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Promoting heat respite at Council offices and Chasing up Moreland’s Heatwave response from October 2014
Melbourne Hot days over 35C long term trend
Extreme heat days in Victoria are a rising trend. We need to cut emissions to affect this trend in the long term. But for the short and medium term we need to put in place adequate strategies to build community resilience and climate adaptation to heatwaves and rising temperatures.
Climate Action Moreland Convenor John Englart met with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor following up Moreland’s heatwave response and a past Council decision from October 2014, to ensure Council policies and decisions are being adhered to.
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Landmark Urban Forest Strategy adopted by Moreland Council
At the City of Moreland’s August Council meeting the draft Urban Forest Strategy was adopted. This is a major piece of policy for municipality wide climate adaptation and dealing with the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE). Moreland’s urban forest also provides significant shade and cooling to the urban environment, carbon removal, oxygen, biodiversity habitat, and reduced stormwater runoff.
Much work from dedicated council officers like Alex English, Moreland’s Open Space Planner, and many others, have gone into making this strategy document important.
The extensive community consultation resulted in a record number of submissions (257) on this policy, as well as 77 people attending consultation sessions. The adopted Policy document will be available shortly from the Moreland Council website.
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Hydrogen fuelled zero emissions garbage trucks for Moreland
Moreland Council has invested in changing it’s fleet of diesel garbage trucks to zero emissions, which will reduce heavy vehicle fleet carbon emissions, pollution, noise, and reduce fuel costs in the long term.
The plan is to use electric heavy vehicle garbage trucks powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The hydrogen will be generated by solar PV at the Hadfield depot, and by wind power purchased through the electricity grid, hence the hydrogen fuel cells will be renewables powered.
Moreland Council have entered into partnership with hydrogen technology company H2U and vehicle manufacturer CNH Industrial to deliver the pilot project. This pilot project is one of the first in the world using hydrogen fuel cells in a heavy vehicle fleet.
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Submission for improving Moreland Council Local Laws on community action and engagement
Moreland Council is updating their General Local laws, with a review and community consultation. Some of the proposed local laws we take issue with as hindering community action, free expression and engagement of Moreland residents, if enforced.
We think this is an opportunity to bring the General Local Law (2007) into line with current community standards and sentiments. As one of the active community groups in Moreland, we appreciate this chance to improve the local laws and how they are applied with justice and fairness.
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Consultations on Moreland’s Draft Urban Forest Strategy
Moreland’s Urban Forest Strategy has now gone live for community consultation.
Alex English, Moreland’s Open Space planner, will be conducting community consultations including a presentation at the start of Climate Action Moreland’s next meeting on Monday, 22 May at 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
Please visit the consultation website to read the draft policy:
http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/about-us/have-your-say/consultations/draft-urban-forest-strategy/
Community forums on the Draft Urban Forest Strategy:
- Wednesday 10 May 7.30-9pm ROBINSON RESERVE NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE 104A Reynard St Coburg
- Thursday 11 May 6.30-8pm GLENROY LEARNING CENTRE 5B Cromwell Street, Glenroy
- Tuesday 16 May 7.30-9pm NEWLANDS COMMUNITY HOUSE 20 Murray Road, Coburg North
- Thursday 18 May 7-8.30pm FAWKNER COMMUNITY HOUSE 79 Jukes Road, Fawkner
- Tuesday 23 May 6.30-8pm BRUNSWICK NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE 43a De Carle St, Brunswick
After the consultation process has finished Alex English will put together a formal report that will be presented to Moreland Council with responses to all the community feedback and any proposed changes to the strategy.
