The City of Greater Bendigo’s 2019/2020 One Planet Living report highlights the City’s first ever dedicated bike lane, the completion of significant strategies such as Reimagining Bendigo Creek and Greening Greater Bendigo, and designation as a City of Gastronomy as key outcomes for the year.
The report outlines the City’s environmental activities and reports against the One Planet Living Framework.
Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said the report showed that the City was committed to reducing its impact and encouraging residents to live healthy, connected and environmentally sensitive lives.
“In August 2019 Council passed a resolution that recognises we are in a state of climate and biodiversity breakdown. We acknowledge the urgent need for action as well as the need to contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Cr Alden said.
“This report shows the breadth of Council services and its potential to positively influence people and processes in many ways, while decreasing our environmental impacts.
“Other highlights of the year include the completion of the City’s second Reconciliation Plan, and a new Active Living Census, as well as the use of recycled material for upgrades at the Eaglehawk Landfill.
“The report shows that more than 13,000 tonnes of organic matter was diverted from landfill, more than 1,500 new street trees were planted and 5,000 native plants.
“COVID-19 has influenced the City’s operations in various ways, bringing our carbon footprint down but also restricting our service and program delivery.
“We still have a significant amount of work to do to meet our goals. We want to be at net zero emissions (and 100 per cent renewable energy) by 2036, but we are a long way from this target.
“We have joined with more than 40 other Councils to buy all our electricity from renewable energy from 2021. 100 per cent of the City’s electricity will be supplied by renewable energy once this power purchase agreement is in place.”
For the full One Planet Living Report, go to: https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/oneplanetliving
