Hepburn shire to lead the way on climate change

The State Government will work with the Coalition for Community Energy, Hepburn Wind and the Hepburn Shire community to develop a plan to achieve net zero emissions for the municipality, as part of the government’s climate change TAKE2 initiative.

Hepburn Shire Council residents will be surveyed on the emissions generated from their home electricity and transport usage as work begins on the TAKE2 Community Transition Pilot this month.

The pilot will support the development of a net zero emissions transition plan for the Hepburn community, identify a range of local projects and build community capacity and resources to transition to a net zero emissions community.

The State Government has legislated for net zero emissions for Victoria by 2050, and interim emissions reduction targets every five years to help meet this goal.

The Hepburn community will receive key benefits from developing the net zero emissions program and community transition plan including decreased energy costs and emissions, job creation, increased local economic activity and improved resilience.

Sustainability Victoria and the Coalition for Community Energy will deliver the TAKE2 Community Transition Pilot in partnership with Hepburn Shire Council and Hepburn Wind.

The Victorian Government has invested $81,000 in the pilot, while the Hepburn Shire Council, Hepburn Wind, and the Danish Samsø Energy Academy are providing additional funding of $30,000.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"With this new plan, the Hepburn Shire will lead the way on climate change. The Hepburn Shire is taking real action in achieving net zero emissions, and will pave the way for other Victorian communities to reach the same goal."

"Our Climate Change Act is one of ambition and action, putting us on track to achieve net zero emissions by 2050."

Quotes attributable to Coalition for Community Energy Chair, Taryn Lane
"Hepburn Shire is already a lighthouse community in regards to community energy and it is fitting that the pilot Victorian program will occur here."

"The Hepburn Shire community has ambition to be the first 100 per cent renewable shire in Australia, this pilot will provide a roadmap to get there.“

“Having communities co-develop pathways to achieve zero-net emissions locally is an important model for regional Victoria."