‘Switching off’ for Earth Hour 2019

Published on 26 March 2019

Sunraysia residents are encouraged to join Council and millions of businesses and residents across the world in ‘switching off’ as part of Earth Hour 2019 between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm this Saturday.

Council is continually working on minimising its electricity consumption including installing sensor lighting in its buildings and facilities to help ensure that all lighting is turned off when not required.

Earth Hour is now the world’s largest grass roots environmental movement where landmarks and communities switch off their lights to show their support for a brighter future for the planet.

This year will be the ninth time Council has participated in Earth Hour as part of its ongoing push to cut energy consumption, reduce greenhouse emissions and encourage others in our community to do the same.

Councillor for Environment and Farming Sustainability Anthony Cirillo said that by taking part in Earth Hour it would help raise awareness about the impact electricity usage has on the environment.

“Electricity consumption is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions and initiatives such as Earth Hour can help educate residents and businesses on the impact it has, and clean energy options that are out there,” Cr Cirillo said.

“Council is committed to doing its part to reduce greenhouse emissions as part of its Energy Management Plan 2017-2021, which aims to cut corporate electricity consumption by 25 per cent by 2022.

“We’re on track to achieve these goals through a number of measures undertaken in recent years, such as installing solar hot water systems at pools, community sporting facilities, Council depots and park facilities. We’ve also installed large solar systems on our major office buildings.”

Families, friends, businesses, schools and communities across the municipality can register their own events at www.earthhour.org.au.

Residents can also go to www.earthhour.org.au/events to search for Earth Hour events taking place in their area.

For more information contact Council’s Environmental Sustainability Education Officer Shaphal Subedi on (03) 5018 8100.

Media enquiries  Ben Piscioneri p) (03) 5018 8689  e) [email protected]