Council acts to lighten its carbon footprint

Redland City Council is taking major steps to reduce its carbon footprint.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said a solar energy system installed at the Cleveland Aquatic Centre during its recent upgrade would soon be playing its part.

“The rooftop installation of 262 solar panels at the aquatic centre was part of approximately $1.3 million in upgrades which also included pool tile repairs and pool painting, switchboard and centre electrical upgrades, new non-slip concourse treatment, decking, shade sails, landscaping, fencing, signage, centre painting and new 50-metre pool heating,” Cr Williams said.

“The solar panels at the Cleveland facility are expected to generate 159,005 kWh per year which, to put it in perspective, is enough to power more than 25 average households per year.

“The power generated by the panels will be used to power the entire centre and are expected to deliver a $22,000 per year saving on electricity for this facility.”

Cr Williams said the solar energy would reduce Council’s Greenhouse emissions by 130,384 kg CO2 per year.

“This is equivalent to the emissions you would save by taking 45 small cars off Australian roads for the year,” she said.

“Redlands Coast is filled with natural beauty and initiatives such as this help our natural environment and play our part as the state and country work towards reducing carbon emissions overall.”

Cr Williams said Council was also working to reduce its carbon footprint on our city’s roads.

“We all know that cars and roads are some of our most visible carbon polluters and Council is tackling this on two fronts,” she said.

“As our fleet vehicles come up for replacement we are swapping them out with hybrid vehicles – we’ve already ordered 14.

“These vehicles are expected to save $5,600 in fuel costs and reduce Council’s greenhouse emissions by 8,400 kgCO2 per year which is the equivalent of 18 return flights from Brisbane to Sydney.

“Plans to trial fully electric Council vehicles are also now at an advanced stage.”

Cr Williams said Council also has an active road upgrade program where profiling material – the waste by-product collected when roads are resealed – was used in place of gravel in new or repaired roads.

“Not only is it a great form of recycling, it has cost savings and offers a high quality structural road surface with less dust,” she said.

Cr Williams said Council’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions was formalised in the 2021-2026 Key Initiatives of its corporate plan, which was adopted in December last year.

“To explore and implement opportunities to proactively reduce Council’s carbon footprint is a key natural environment initiative that we are committed to under the Our Future Redlands – A Corporate Plan to 2026 and Beyond,” Cr Williams said.

“It is an ongoing commitment that not only has immediate benefits within our city, but it is one of the important ways we are helping to repair and improve our world for generations to come.”