Regional Programs Sustainability

Sustainability

It is recognised that our environment is a significant environmental, social and economical asset to this region. Effort has been made to lead by example with the FNQROC Board endorsing:

  • Regional Sustainability Policy,
  • Regional Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Action Plan – mitigating councils risk in a carbon economy, and
  • Reef Guardian Council membership

Representatives on the technical committee are determined to share their knowledge and expertise across the region and within their councils to progress the action plans to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and to protect our Great Barrier Reef.

 

Latest News - April 2012

(see our Newsletter for all FNQROC news...)

Street lighting and funding opportunities

As mentioned in last month's report, additional quotes need to be obtained for the preparation of a business case for the retrofit of the region's street lights. This will enable the region to make a comparison with a cost estimate from Ironbark Sustainability following its presentation at the February Board meeting.  In our efforts to move this matter forward, two further quotes have now been provided from consultants who are considered reputable in the arena of street lighting retrofits.

Now that this information is available, a pro forma report has been prepared for officers to present to their own councils.  The report includes a background on the street lighting issue for the region, an overview of the consultants who have submitted quotes, plus a breakdown of the expected costs for individual councils (based on each LGAs population as a proportion of the region's population). Obviously, the aim is to seek a resolution from each individual council to support the regional project. 

Once we have an idea of which councils would like to participate in this program, we will be able to move forward with engaging the best consultant for the job. The negotiations required with Ergon will of course be most effective where we have as many councils involved as possible. And the main gain will be our ability to leverage funding for a regional street light retrofit to proceed.  In an economic and environmental sense, the potential savings could be quite substantial. After many years of trying to work through the complex street lighting issue, this project has the potential to finally get some action happening in this area - and that's exciting!

Daniela Gambotto, Regional Planning & Sustainability Coordinator

 

Meeting Agendas & Minutes

Documents