By Oliver Lees
The Macedon Ranges council has signed on to the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia.
Led by Darebin council, the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) is a joint venture including 46 councils from across the state that aims to provide 45 per cent of all Victorian councils electricity requirements with renewable energy sources.
Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said the project would add to a number of programs the council is already involved in to curb climate change.
“Signing on to VECO is the next step in achieving the actions set out in the Climate Change Action Plan which council adopted in 2017,” Cr Anderson said.
“VECO represents a fantastic collaboration involving over half the local councils across Victoria,
working together to reduce greenhouse emissions and deliver financial savings to councils and
ratepayers, though sourcing renewable energy generated in Victoria.
“In the long-term, taking action to mitigate against climate change will have broad-ranging benefits for the safety and security of the community.”
The Victorian Greenhouse Alliance will facilitate the project, employing Australian-owned company Red Energy to provide 240 GWh of electricity per year to the 46 councils over more than nine years.
Council-operated buildings, lighting and markets will be powered by renewable energy generators in the Macedon Ranges.
