Council’s new Hybrid car another positive step towards reducing its carbon footprint
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In an effort to further promote sustainability and reduce Council’s carbon footprint, a hybrid vehicle has been a recently welcomed addition to its fleet.
Deputy Mayor Nigel Hutton said hybrid vehicles generally provide a more fuel efficient alternative to most petrol and diesel vehicles.
“This was a consciously made decision by Council to choose a more environmentally friendly option, as it continues to strive towards being a leader in sustainability on a local, State and national level,” Cr Hutton said.
“Council is also currently undertaking a number of other sustainability initiatives including developing an organisational carbon strategy, to investigate opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint through such actions as capturing/flaring landfill gas and, retrofitting street and building lights to LED or solar.
“This whole of Council approach will bring about improvements in the efficiencies of vehicles and plant; investigating the opportunity for installing solar/battery suites on or at existing buildings and facilities; developing a Sustainable Living education and awareness raising programme; formulating its position on climate change through a policy; and developing a strategy on how the Livingstone community adapts to future coastal hazards and climate change (Livingstone CHAS Project).
“All of these significant projects reinforce Council’s commitment to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for our region.
“In addition to these projects and programmes, Council and its partner organisations will showcase all of the sustainability initiatives and projects occurring throughout the Shire at the inaugural Sustainable Livingstone Expo on 29 September 2019 at Beaman Park in Yeppoon.
“We’re looking forward to inviting the community to attend and learn how they can work towards being a more eco-conscious consumer while learning tips on how to have a sustainable household.”
FAST FACTS Hybrid vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, which uses energy stored in batteries. The hybrid vehicle does not need to be plugged in to charge the battery. Instead, the battery is charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine. Hybrid vehicles also produce less greenhouse gases than normal petrol and diesel vehicles.