Preaching ‘less is more’ with energy

Three Sydney councils have taken up pens and paper in a combined push to improve sustainability initiatives across Australia.

On February 1, the Mayors of Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra Councils, in partnership with the environmental group Do Something, signed a joint letter calling on other local councils to take part in the sustainability initiative, the 10% Challenge.

The three councils have all committed to the challenge, which was first created by Do Something and the consumer group CHOICE. It involves pledging to reduce either emission levels or fuel and energy use by 10 per cent.

In the letter, which was sent to every local council in Australia, the three mayors said they have taken part in the initiative because of concerns about climate change and the rising costs of energy.

The Mayor of Waverley, John Wakefield, said Waverley Council has taken the lead on energy use and emission reductions.

“We’re now extending that invitation to every other local council,” he said.

“It’s something everyone can do; we’d also like to invite our residents and businesses across the eastern suburbs to join us in the 10% Challenge.”

A spokesperson for Waverley Council said the Council wants to highlight simple and low cost methods of achieving sustainability which other councils will be able to emulate.
Other councils have responded by declaring their pre-existing commitment to sustainability.

A spokesperson for Marrickville Council said Marrickville already has a very active environmental department.

She said that in the 2010 – 2011 period their sustainability program led to a seven per cent decrease in the Council’s corporate energy consumption compared to the previous period. She added that Marrickville has been heavily involved in the NSW Water Sensitive Cities program.

The Council, though they have not seen the letter, think the 10% Challenge is a “great initiative” and it is considering taking part, the spokesperson said.

Leichhardt Council said it is committed to sustainability initiatives but has not seen the nation-wide invitation.

Waverley Council will establish a combined water and energy savings program in the Council’s 10 most consuming facilities.