Streetlighting changeover - emissions reduction

One of the larger new initiatives in this years draft budget is $1m of a $2m program to convert and upgrade the muncipalities streetlights to more modern energy efficient T5 globes.

This program once completed will reduce council's total emmissions by approx 14%.This is an even more significant with the new GESAC sports and aquatic centre opening in late 2011. This major facilty will run 24/7 and be powered primarily from conventional coal-fired energy (showers only from solar).

The prospect of Glen Eira becoming a carbon neutral council have become inctreasingly remote in the present circumstances. The streetlight conversion is one of the most cost effective way of reducing councils emissions with a payback period of around six/seven years - the change over will deliver savings in the order of $300k given the forecast of rising electricity costs and I was supportive of this program.

Unfortunately in my view one of the casualities of providing funding for streetlight program has been the freezing of Council's purchasing of Greenpower for its facilities at 25% - instead of continueing an annual 5% rise as identified in the Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ESS).

2011/12 Glen Eira draft Budget

At last nights special meeting Council considered the proposed draft budget for advertising and for public submission.

An amended version from that published in the agenda was passed by a narrow majority instead sets rates at 6.5% and downsizes the sports ground drought-tolerant grass program from four to two ovals this year.

I spoke in favor of the proposed draft that would have set rates at 6.95% - with many future and past projects like GESAC needing to be adequately funded I argued that we need to grow our revenue base in a modest, measured way to meet these funding challenges. The compounding affect over time is also very significant and importantly the Strategic Resource plan (SRP)as adopted the previous meeting was based on the higher rate.

Major budget items in the draft include:
GESAC $7.58m to complete the sports and aquatic facilty in Bentleigh
Duncan Mckinnon new pavillion $5.5m (out of 8.8m total)for construction
Streetlight Conversion to energy efficient T5 globes $1m (out of 2m total)
- this is a two year program that will significant reduce council emissions with a payback period of 6/7 years on the back of rising electricity costs.
Roads, Drainage and Footpaths rolling programs maintained at $4.95m,$3.29m and $1.73m respectively
Bicycle Strategy $446k to undertake high priority actions-the SRP allocates $400k for the years after to complete the 2m strategy.

All details of the draft budget noting the above amendments can be found in the lower right links section.

Public submissions very welcome and close June 9th.

2011/12 Draft Budget- special council meeting Tues 10th May

There will be a Special Council meeting this Tuesday night at 7pm to consider the 2011/12 Draft Budget and whether to advertise and invite public submissions.

Details are at available on the GE council homepage - in the links section.

Will follow up with an overview of the draft budget highlighting some of the initiatives especially on sustainabilty including funding for the bicycling strategy and improved streetlighting efficiency.