Cockburn is the first council in Western Australia to set a zero waste target following the adoption of a Climate Change Strategy 2020-2030 in the City.
Endorsed at the Council’s 10 September ordinary meeting, the strategy is a commitment to continue the City of Cockburn’s 20-year role as a leader in climate resilience and sustainability.
Its vision for responsible waste management is for 100 per cent of non-hazardous waste to be diverted from landfill by 2030, in line with the State Government-endorsed waste hierarchy where avoidance of waste generation is the most preferred option.
The inaugural strategy outlines a resilience roadmap with bold aspirational targets for 2030 including corporate targets of net zero emissions and a transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity.
The roadmap’s 14 objectives include the City working with the Cockburn community and the State Government to achieve net zero community emissions by 2050, which aligns with the WA government’s proposed emissions reduction target.
The objectives will be achieved with a comprehensive action plan to deliver innovative solutions for energy supply to eliminate greenhouse emissions, showcase world leadership in waste management and ensure best practice climate change adaptation methods.
The strategy is the result of direction from the Cockburn community with its aspirations shared via 300+ survey responses during a consultation in May that asked locals to share their vision for a sustainable and climate resilient future.
The consultation attracted one of the City’s highest ever visitation rates on its Comment on Cockburn online project page, with more than 2,000 visitors in addition to nine digital workshops.
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the City had been taking decisive and responsible action on climate change since it joined the Cities for Climate Protection Program and undertook its first greenhouse gas inventory in 1999.
“Over the next 12 months, the City will undertake a green hydrogen feasibility study, an electric waste truck trial, and commence upgrades to smart, energy-efficient street lighting,” Mayor Howlett said.
“The City will also continue to offset its fleet emissions, deliver sustainability and environmental education programs and maintain its status as a Gold Waterwise Council with the Water Corporation.”
The City has already strengthened its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and tackle worsening climate change by becoming the first council in Western Australia to be a Cities Power Partnership Champion.
The 14 objectives of the Strategy’s resilience roadmap are:
- Strong Leadership
- Net zero emissions
- Zero non-hazardous waste to landfill
- 100% renewable energy
- Reduce energy consumption
- Smart city innovation
- Zero Emissions fleet
- Education and Collaboration
- Waterwise City
- Conserve biodiversity
- Coastal adaptation
- Increase the urban forest
- Protect community infrastructure
- Enhance health and wellbeing.
Read the
Strategy on the City's website.