Notice of Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

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Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee Meeting

 

 

An Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee Meeting of Byron Shire Council will be held as follows:

 

Venue

Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby

Date

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Time

11.30am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shannon Burt

Director Sustainable Environment and Economy                                                            I2018/485

                                                                                                                                    Distributed 22/03/18

 

 


CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

What is a “Conflict of Interests” - A conflict of interests can be of two types:

Pecuniary - an interest that a person has in a matter because of a reasonable likelihood or expectation of appreciable financial gain or loss to the person or another person with whom the person is associated.

Non-pecuniary – a private or personal interest that a Council official has that does not amount to a pecuniary interest as defined in the Local Government Act (eg. A friendship, membership of an association, society or trade union or involvement or interest in an activity and may include an interest of a financial nature).

Remoteness – a person does not have a pecuniary interest in a matter if the interest is so remote or insignificant that it could not reasonably be regarded as likely to influence any decision the person might make in relation to a matter or if the interest is of a kind specified in Section 448 of the Local Government Act.

Who has a Pecuniary Interest? - a person has a pecuniary interest in a matter if the pecuniary interest is the interest of the person, or another person with whom the person is associated (see below).

Relatives, Partners - a person is taken to have a pecuniary interest in a matter if:

§  The person’s spouse or de facto partner or a relative of the person has a pecuniary interest in the matter, or

§  The person, or a nominee, partners or employer of the person, is a member of a company or other body that has a pecuniary interest in the matter.

N.B. “Relative”, in relation to a person means any of the following:

(a)   the parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal descends or adopted child of the person or of the person’s spouse;

(b)   the spouse or de facto partners of the person or of a person referred to in paragraph (a)

No Interest in the Matter - however, a person is not taken to have a pecuniary interest in a matter:

§  If the person is unaware of the relevant pecuniary interest of the spouse, de facto partner, relative or company or other body, or

§  Just because the person is a member of, or is employed by, the Council.

§  Just because the person is a member of, or a delegate of the Council to, a company or other body that has a pecuniary interest in the matter provided that the person has no beneficial interest in any shares of the company or body.

Disclosure and participation in meetings

§  A Councillor or a member of a Council Committee who has a pecuniary interest in any matter with which the Council is concerned and who is present at a meeting of the Council or Committee at which the matter is being considered must disclose the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable.

§  The Councillor or member must not be present at, or in sight of, the meeting of the Council or Committee:

(a)   at any time during which the matter is being considered or discussed by the Council or Committee, or

(b)   at any time during which the Council or Committee is voting on any question in relation to  the matter.

No Knowledge - a person does not breach this Clause if the person did not know and could not reasonably be expected to have known that the matter under consideration at the meeting was a matter in which he or she had a pecuniary interest.

Participation in Meetings Despite Pecuniary Interest (S 452 Act)

A Councillor is not prevented from taking part in the consideration or discussion of, or from voting on, any of the matters/questions detailed in Section 452 of the Local Government Act.

Non-pecuniary Interests - Must be disclosed in meetings.

There are a broad range of options available for managing conflicts & the option chosen will depend on an assessment of the circumstances of the matter, the nature of the interest and the significance of the issue being dealt with.  Non-pecuniary conflicts of interests must be dealt with in at least one of the following ways:

§  It may be appropriate that no action be taken where the potential for conflict is minimal.  However, Councillors should consider providing an explanation of why they consider a conflict does not exist.

§  Limit involvement if practical (eg. Participate in discussion but not in decision making or vice-versa).  Care needs to be taken when exercising this option.

§  Remove the source of the conflict (eg. Relinquishing or divesting the personal interest that creates the conflict)

§  Have no involvement by absenting yourself from and not taking part in any debate or voting on the issue as if the provisions in S451 of the Local Government Act apply (particularly if you have a significant non-pecuniary interest)

RECORDING OF VOTING ON PLANNING MATTERS

Clause 375A of the Local Government Act 1993 – Recording of voting on planning matters

(1)   In this section, planning decision means a decision made in the exercise of a function of a council under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979:

(a)   including a decision relating to a development application, an environmental planning instrument, a development control plan or a development contribution plan under that Act, but

(b)   not including the making of an order under Division 2A of Part 6 of that Act.

(2)   The general manager is required to keep a register containing, for each planning decision made at a meeting of the council or a council committee, the names of the councillors who supported the decision and the names of any councillors who opposed (or are taken to have opposed) the decision.

(3)   For the purpose of maintaining the register, a division is required to be called whenever a motion for a planning decision is put at a meeting of the council or a council committee.

(4)   Each decision recorded in the register is to be described in the register or identified in a manner that enables the description to be obtained from another publicly available document, and is to include the information required by the regulations.

(5)   This section extends to a meeting that is closed to the public.

 


BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee Meeting

 

 

BUSINESS OF MEETING

 

1.    Apologies

2.    Declarations of Interest – Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary

3.    Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings

4.    Staff Reports

Corporate and Community Services

4.1       Committee Induction......................................................................................................... 4

Sustainable Environment and Economy

4.2       Future Meeting Agendas................................................................................................. 35

4.3       Funding models for sustainability projects...................................................................... 37

4.4       Emissions Reduction Strategy and Key Project Updates............................................... 41   

 

 


BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Corporate and Community Services                                            4.1

 

 

Staff Reports - Corporate and Community Services

 

Report No. 4.1             Committee Induction

Directorate:                 Corporate and Community Services

Report Author:           David Royston-Jennings, Corporate Governance Officer

File No:                        I2018/422

Theme:                         Corporate Management

                                      Governance Services

 

 

Summary:

 

To provide an overview of Council’s Code of Conduct and the draft Constitution for the Biodiversity Advisory Committee.

 

  

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee receive a presentation on Byron Shire Council’s Code of Conduct.

 

2.  That the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee confirm the Constitution for this Committee, in accordance with Council Resolution 18-114.

 

Attachments:

 

1        Byron Shire Council Code of Conduct, E2017/101101 , page 6  

2        Draft Constitution - Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee, E2018/2239 , page 27  

 

 


 

Report

 

Members of the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee are required to read and understand Council’s Code of Conduct.

 

The key points of the Code of Conduct will be provided in a presentation for the Committee’s information.

 

A copy of Byron Shire Council’s Code of Conduct is provided as an attachment to this report for the Committee’s perusal.

 

The Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee is also required to confirm the Constitution for this Committee, in accordance with Council Resolution 18-114, which reads (in part) as follows:

 

3.    That the draft Terms of Reference for the Biodiversity Advisory Committee (Attachment 1 E2018/2233), and Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee (Attachment 2 E2018/2239) be confirmed at their respective first meetings.

 

Financial Implications

 

Nil

 

Statutory and Policy Compliance Implications

 

Code of Conduct

 


BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Corporate and Community Services                                 4.1 - Attachment 1

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BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Corporate and Community Services                                 4.1 - Attachment 2

 

 

 

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BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

 

Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory COMMITTEE

 

CONSTITUTION

 

 

 

 

 


BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Corporate and Community Services                                   4.1 - Attachment 2

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

(INTERNAL USE ONLY)

 

 

Date Adopted by Council

 

Resolution No.

 

Responsibility

Director Sustainable Environment and Economy

Review Timeframe

 

Last Review Date:

 

Next Scheduled Review Date

 

 

Document History

Doc No.

Date Amended

Details Comments eg Resolution No.

E2018/2239

30 January 2018

Draft to be reported to 22 Feb 2018 meeting (see Res 17-611)

 

Further Document Information and Relationships

Related Legislation

Section 355, Local Government Act (1993)

Related Policies

Code of Conduct 2016
Work Health Safety Policy
Code of Meeting Practice

Guide to Operations – Advisory Committee and Panels (E2016/85075)

Related Procedures/ Protocols, Statements, documents

 

 


 

Table of Contents

 

 

1.         Preamble. 4

2.         Purpose. 4

3.         Timeframe for Committee. 4

4.         Responsible Directorate. 4

5.         Membership. 4

6.         Induction. 5

7.         Quorum.. 5

8.         Confidentiality. 5

9.         Election of Chairperson. 5

10.      Voting. 5

11.      Majority Decision. 6

12.      Convening Meetings. 6

13.      Agenda Preparation. 6

14.      Conduct of Business. 6

15.      Records of meetings. 6

16.      Absence from Committee Meetings. 7

17.      Project Reference Groups. 7

18.      Section 377 Delegation. 7

19.      Meeting Practice. 7

20.      Miscellaneous. 7


 

1.  Preamble

 

The Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Committee is an advisory committee of the Council and does not have executive power or authority to implement actions.

 

The role of the committee is to report to Council and provide appropriate advice and recommendations on matters relevant to this Constitution.

 

2.  Purpose

 

The purpose of the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee is:

 

 

1.    To assist Council in the development, implementation and review of relevant sustainability and emissions reduction plans, policies and projects such as: Council’s 100% Emissions Reduction Strategy, renewable energy projects, local network trading and local network charges, carbon reporting, food security initiatives.

 

2.    To support our community’s drive towards zero emissions.

 

3.    To identify and report opportunities or concerns regarding sustainability and emission reduction  issues to Council including, but not limited too, funding opportunities, special events, government policy, practice or guidelines.

 

It is proposed that meetings can target specific issues related to sustainability and emissions reduction and that in order for the Committee to understand the issue and identify opportunities, experts on the subject can be invited to contribute.  

 

It is also proposed that meetings can be held outside the Council building within environments that are relevant to that meeting’s theme.  For example, different formats could be used such as field days and workshops.

 

 

3.  Timeframe for Committee

 

The lifespan of the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee is for the term of Council 2016-2020.

 

 

4.  Responsible Directorate

 

This committee is administered by the Sustainable Environment and Economy Directorate.  The Director or their delegate will attend these meetings and minutes will be taken by a member of their staff.

 

5.  Membership

 

Council must appoint all advisory committee members. Appointment must take place prior to a member being conferred the responsibilities and rights as set out in this document.

 

Council may release individual members from the advisory committee at any time by a resolution of council.  Council may also appoint any new members to a committee at any time by a resolution of council.

 

Membership is to include:

 

·        Councillors - as determined by council at the 22 February 2018 meeting

·        Eg At least 1 relevantly qualified community representative

·        General Manager (or staff member delegate)

 

 

Note:  Staff members participating on the committee do not have any voting entitlements.

 

6.  Induction

 

All members will be required to participate in an induction process at the establishment of a new committee, and at any time a replacement voting member joins a committee.  The induction will be scheduled prior to the first meeting of the committee and will cover topics such as this Constitution, the Code of Meeting Practice, Conflicts of Interest and Code of Conduct.

 

Replacement voting members will be inducted by experienced committee members at, or prior to, their first meeting.

 

7.  Quorum

 

A quorum is to constitute at least half the number of members plus one (resulting half numbers go down), two of which are to be Councillors.  The General Manager or delegate, who must be a member of staff, is to attend the Advisory Committee meeting and is not counted in the quorum for the meeting.

 

8.  Confidentiality

 

Members of the committee will, in those circumstances where confidential matters are subject to deliberation, maintain confidentiality.

 

9.  Election of Chairperson

 

The position of Chairperson is to be elected from Councillors comprising the committee but only in circumstances where the Mayor elects not to assume the position of Chairperson.

 

10.   Voting

 

a)      Each member of the committee (with the exception of staff members) is to have one vote, with the Chairperson to have a casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote.

 

b)      Members of the committee who are not Councillors may abstain from voting in any circumstances without such abstention being recorded in the negative.

 

11.   Majority Decision

 

A majority decision of the committee requires a majority of elected members to be present and voting on any item subject to the requirements of a quorum being met at the meeting.

 

12.   Convening Meetings

 

Meetings will be held as required, generally every quarter.  An annual timetable of meetings will be prepared in advance, and adopted by Council every October/November for the following 12 months.

 

A meeting of the committee may be convened in response to either the direction of the Mayor (or in the Mayor’s absence the Deputy Mayor) in written form to the General Manager; or two Councillors in written form to the General Manager, or by resolution of the Council.

 

13.   Agenda Preparation

 

It is the responsibility of the chairperson to prepare the agenda in consultation with the relevant Director, setting out the terms of business to be considered.

 

The agenda is an organised list of the business, in order, that will be transacted at the meeting.  An agenda for each meeting, containing a brief report on each item, is to be provided to committee members and available on Council’s website at least 7 days prior to the meeting being held.

 

Each item of business to discuss at the meeting is required to be listed on the agenda and in written form.  Verbal reports at the meeting are not an acceptable practice.

 

For some matters, it will be necessary to attach other relevant information to the agenda to inform and direct discussion.  Such information is to be circulated with the agenda.

 

Committee members may request items for inclusion in future agendas, through the Chair.

 

14.   Conduct of Business

 

Each item of business is discussed in the order in which it appears on the agenda.  No new matters will be introduced at the meeting.  New items of business may be included in a future agenda as noted in clause 13 above.

 

15.   Records of meetings

 

a)      The minutes of meetings are to be circulated to members of the group within 7 days of the meeting so that members can provide feedback through the Chair on the draft unconfirmed minutes.

 

b)      Minutes of committee meetings will be kept and presented to Council at its next meeting via a report of the committee meeting.

 

16.   Absence from Committee Meetings

 

All committee members are required to advise the chair when they are unable to attend committee meetings. The absence of committee members from the meeting is to be recorded in the minutes. A committee member (other than the Mayor) ceases to be a member of a committee if the member:

 

a)      Has been absent from three consecutive meetings of the committee without having given reasons acceptable to the committee for the member’s absence, or

 

b)      Has been absent from at least half of the meetings of the committee held during the immediately preceding year without having given to the committee acceptable reasons for the member’s absences.

 

17.   Project Reference Groups

 

Project Reference Groups may be established by Council at the recommendation of the committee to address issues clearly identified by the committee.

 

Project Reference Groups operate in accordance with Council’s adopted Constitution template for Project Reference Groups.

 

18.   Section 377 Delegation

 

The committee does not have any delegated functions pursuant to section 377 of the Local Government Act (1993) and does not have the power to direct staff.

19.   Meeting Practice

 

Meetings are to be conducted in accordance with this Constitution and, where required, reference to Council’s Code of Meeting Practice.

 

20.   Miscellaneous

 

a)      Insurance: All group members are covered by the public liability policy of Council. This insurance does not preclude the Advisory Committee from due diligence and all Council policies must be adhered to.

 

b)      Code of Conduct: All group members to abide by Council’s adopted Code of Conduct at all times.

 

c)      Pecuniary Interest: Pecuniary Interest may be defined as an interest that a person has in a matter, as a group member or employee of a company or other body, because of a reasonable likelihood or expectation of appreciable financial gain or loss to the person, or another person with whom the person is associated. Such other person includes the spouse or de-facto partner or relative of the group member.

 

Section 446 of the Local Government Act states that “a member of a council committee, other than a committee that is wholly advisory, must disclose pecuniary interests...”

 

Even though the Local Government Act provides an exemption to disclose pecuniary interests Council’s preference is for all members to declare pecuniary interests where applicable.

 

d)      Work Health Safety:  All group members are required to comply with the “Worker Responsibilities” as prescribed in the Work Health Safety Policy.

 


BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy                                     4.2

 

 

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy

 

Report No. 4.2             Future Meeting Agendas

Directorate:                 Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author:           Sharyn French, Manager Environmental and Economic Planning

File No:                        I2018/412

Theme:                         Ecology

                                      Planning Policy and Natural Environment

 

 

Summary:

 

The Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee has 4 meetings scheduled in 2018, including today’s meeting.

 

This report is to consider future agenda items to ensure the Committee’s meetings are productive.

 

 

 

  

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee consider the future meeting schedule in Table 1 of this report.

         

 

 

 

 


 

Report

 

Council resolved (Resolution 18-114, relevant parts only) at the 22 February 2018 meeting:

 

4.    That Council adopt the meeting scheduled for [the] advisory group as follows:

 

Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee

·    First week of March 2018 subject to nominated councillor availability

·    11.30am 29 March 2018

·    11.30am 28 June 2018

·    11.30am 30 August 2018

·    11.30am 25 October 2018

 

5.       That an amount of $3,000 is considered in the 2018/19 budget to support the committee meetings.

 

A meeting in the first week of March was not able to be accommodated due to lead up time to preparing the agenda and the response time for previous Biodiversity and Sustainability Panel members to confirm their attendance on the Committee.

 

The report advised:

 

….some meetings may engage professionals to present on a particular subject of relevance to the committees and some may use different meeting formats such as field days and workshops. An amount of $3,000 is required, to support the committee meetings.

 

Table 1: Agenda items are proposed for future Committee meetings:

Meeting Date

Agenda Items

28 June 2018

 

Emissions Reduction Strategy

30 August 2018

 

Improving the sustainability of Byron Businesses

25 October 2018

Investigation into community funding models for sustainability initiatives

 

Financial Implications

 

Council resolved to consider a budget allocation in the 2018/19 budget to support both the Biodiversity and Advisory Committee and the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Committee

 

Statutory and Policy Compliance Implications

 

Nil

 


BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy                                     4.3

 

 

Report No. 4.3             Funding models for sustainability projects

Directorate:                 Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author:           Daniel  Harper, Sustainability Officer

File No:                        I2018/450

Theme:                         Ecology

                                      Planning Policy and Natural Environment

 

 

Summary:

 

This report provides information on different funding models for council, small medium enterprises (SMEs) and the local community for potential solar installations and energy efficiency initiatives. These funding models include Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs), Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Community Solar Finance (CSF). These funding models could play a key role in reaching net zero emissions.

 

 

  

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Committee notes the report and considers the different funding options (EUAs, PPAs and CSF), and their potential application to Byron Shire commercial operators.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Report

 

Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs)

 

Participating Councils help local businesses save money on their energy costs by linking them to EUAs which provide low-cost finance solutions and no upfront investment.

 

EUAs allow approved financers to lend money for the environmental upgrades via participating Victorian and NSW Councils, who levy an Environmental Upgrade Charge on the building. Repayments are collected through the rates system. This process provides the lender with greater security, unlocking fixed-interest, long term loans at competitive rates. Building owners can ask tenants to contribute towards the cost of the upgrade as they will benefit from lower operational costs. This enables building owners to increase the value of their property with minimal financial outlay. EUAs can also be initiated by tenants.

 

EUAs can provide funding from $20,000 to $4,000,000 with repayments calculated to be less than the financial savings so businesses will be cash flow positive from day one. This money can be used on a variety of different environmental upgrades bundled together and includes:

·    Solar systems and renewable energy.

·    Lighting, HVAC and thermal performance upgrades.

·    Waste and recycling equipment and upgrades.

·    Energy and sustainability assessments and audits.

·    Water efficiency upgrades and solar hot water.

 

There are 14 councils in Victoria currently participating in the program and six NSW councils which are:

·    Blacktown City

·    Lake Macquarie City

·    City of Newcastle

·    North Sydney

·    Parramatta City

·    City of Sydney

 

Key groups supporting the councils deliver EUAs are Building Better Finance, Sustainable Melbourne Fund and NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

 

How businesses access EUAs – the process

1.   Building owner agrees to upgrades

2.   Building owner, council and finance provider enter into an EUA

3.   Finance provider advances funds for the upgrade

4.   Council collects repayments through a rates based system and then passes the repayments through to the finance provider

5.   The building owner can ask the tenants to contribute or cover the cost of the upgrades through the savings made on their energy bills and running costs

 

 

 

 

Process for Council to provide EUAs

·    The timeline to implementation is approximately three months, dependant largely on council approval times.

·    NSW OEH is the administrator, providing the forms, processes and systems and assistance in implementation of EUAs.

·    Increases to staff hours are minimal in rates and finance departments (estimated at less than an hour per month).

·    Melbourne Sustainability Fund can provide lending and will lend from $20,000 to $4 million. Major Banks will only lend a minimum of $500,000 which would substantially limit uptake.

 

 

EUA - Background about Sustainable Melbourne Fund

Sustainable Melbourne Fund (SMF) was established by City of Melbourne Council in 2002 to provide commercially minded financial support to businesses (Non-Residential Properties) who are implementing projects that have an environmental benefit. Since this time SMF have developed, in conjunction with local and state governments the EUA program and currently have 150 projects approved to take advantage of this funding mechanism. This includes everything from solar, waste, and water solutions to some more complex and innovative solutions like waste to energy.

 

Byron Bay and NSW

SMF isn’t active in NSW, however they are presently in the final stages of considering entry to NSW. As the most active EUA lender, SMF have indicated the willingness to work with Byron Bay to develop an entry strategy for the region and in principal, provide finance into the shire.

 

 

Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)

A PPA is a contract between an electricity buyer and an electricity generator and provides both parties with greater certainty about price over a long period. In relation to renewable energy, a PPA normally refers to a contract to purchase electricity from a specific project which can be assigned to an existing power plant, or one yet to be constructed.

 

New renewable energy projects need revenue certainty which is why PPAs can be critical to the development and success. PPAs provide the investor or financier with the certainty required to proceed with the investment. To electricity consumers PPAs can offer significant cost savings compared to short-term electricity purchasing contracts.

 

Solar PPAs bring the following benefits; no upfront capital cost; predictable energy pricing; no system performance or operating risk; meaning projects can be cash flow positive from day one.

Community Solar Finance (CSF)

Community solar projects enable businesses to install a solar system on their roof with no upfront cost. Under this model, the solar panels are funded and owned by community investors. These are essentially PPAs between an energy consumer and a community owned solar investment organisation.

 

The business or site owner agrees to host the panels and purchase the electricity generated from the community solar operator for an agreed period (usually 5-7 years). The system can also be accessed through a lease or loan arrangement. The community solar organisation helps hosts choose the right system size and manages the installation process. During the agreed period the community solar organisation will own and maintain the panels.

 

Hosts will receive a regular bill from the community solar organisation for the electricity that they use from the solar panels. Revenue from the sale of electricity is passed back to the community investors in the form of a return on investment. After the agreed contract period ends the ownership of the solar panels is transferred to the roof host at no cost, enabling them to access solar energy free of charge.

 

Financial Implications

 

Nil

 

Statutory and Policy Compliance Implications

 

Nil

 


BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy                                     4.4

 

 

Report No. 4.4             Emissions Reduction Strategy and Key Project Updates

Directorate:                 Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author:           Ronnie  Lawton, Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Officer

File No:                        I2018/451

Theme:                         Ecology

                                      Planning Policy and Natural Environment

 

 

Summary:

Council Resolution 17-086 included the following specific targets:

§ Council commits to achieving 100% net Zero Emissions by 2025 in collaboration with Zero Emissions Byron (ZEB).

§ Council commit itself to source 100% of its energy through renewable energy within 10 years.

In order to achieve these targets, an Emissions Reduction Strategy is being developed as a transition from the existing Low Carbon Strategy.

A number of key renewable energy projects aligned with these targets are already progressing.

 

This report will provide the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee an overview of the Strategy development and updates on the key renewable energy projects.

 

 

 

  

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee note the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Report

The objectives of the Emissions Reduction Strategy are:

§ To provide a strategy that outlines the path towards Council operations achieving net zero emissions by 2025/2026 and sourcing 100% of its energy through renewable energy within 10 years.

§ To provide specific actions for delivery by each Council directorate.

§ To collaborate with ZEB in the development of Council’s Emissions Reduction Strategy.

§ To establish Council’s role and level of service in supporting our community’s drive towards net zero emissions.

§ To investigate best practice programs to work towards incorporating scope 3 emissions initiatives into the Emissions Reduction Strategy.

The strategy is being formulated with the key milestones tabled below:

 

Project Phase / Deliverable

Milestone / Action

Timeframe

Draft Strategy

Director endorsement of project plan, communications plan, and draft template of strategy.

January 2018

(Complete)

Executive Team endorsement of project plan, communications plan, and draft template of strategy.

7 February 2018

(Complete)

Communications panel review of communications plan.

13 February 2018

(Complete)

Review existing strategies action status.

January - March 2018

Engagement with internal Council stakeholders and ZEB.

February – May 2018

Provide SPW status update.

March – April 2018

Engagement/consultation with Strategic Planning Workshop

10 May 2018

Council adoption of draft strategy for public exhibition

24 May 2018

(Note: Report due 02/05/18)

Community Consultation

Public Exhibition

11 June 2018

(6 Weeks of public exhibition)

Final Strategy

Council Meeting for endorsement of final strategy

23 August 2018

(Note: Report due 02/05/18)

A number of key projects and initiatives are currently underway. These are tabled below:

 

Project / Initiative

Summary

Myocum Solar Farm

2MW Solar Farm

Buffer land to the Myocum Resource and Recovery Centre is being considered for a large scale ground mounted solar farm. A site feasibility assessment identified that the proposed site is suitable for a solar PV facility of up to 2MW.

Council is progressing with a detailed feasibility business case, to fully understand the investment proposition, community delivery model, project risks, implementation structure, funding and financing options, electricity retailing models, procurement pathway and timing.

Bioenergy and STPs

~1 MW Bioenergy Facility

In 2017 Council completed a biomass sources and siting assessment which identified Council’s municipal green wastes and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) biosolids as potential feedstocks for bioenergy facilities. Other feedstock, such as the growing of coppice crops intended for use as bioenergy feedstocks, was also considered. Council are investigating siting bioenergy facilities at its STP properties to process and valorise the feedstock materials. It is intended that a blending of solar farms and bioenergy facilities will supply all of the electricity required to run Council’s sewage treatment plants into the future

Council invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from organisations wishing to be pre-registered to tender for the potential contract for Bioenergy Projects in the Shire of Byron. 15 submissions  were received through its international EOI process, and are currently being assessed.

Local Energy Trading

A logical solution is to generate energy from solar at a low energy user site with large roof space and attribute it the consumption a high energy user with proportionally smaller roof space. This scenario was modelled by the Institute for Sustainable Futures.

Council is currently running a procurement process for renewing its electricity contract, in collaboration with Lismore City Council. Included as one element of this process is a request for the prospective retailer to provide Local Electricity Trading between Council assets. If successful, this will be a first for local government in Australia, and could potentially unlock a range of renewable energy options for Council.

Small Scale Solar

99 kW Rooftop Solar

The Byron Bay Library, Sandhills Childcare Centre and Byron Bay Resources Centre have received installations to a cumulative total of 99.6kW. Council will continue ongoing investigations into further rooftop solar installation opportunities.

Mullumbimby Administration Centre Solar

Solar size TBC

Council is progressing investigations taking into account the different options of solar system (Rooftop and/or Car park) and electric charge station combinations. The potential to work regionally to seek funding for a network of EV charge stations in line with the Northern Rivers EV Strategy is also being considered.

Brunswick Valley Sustainability Centre

Renewable energy facilities TBC

The Brunswick Valley Sustainability Centre is a concept involving the operational land owned by Byron Shire Council. It is intended to develop the site as a whole for sustainable eco-pursuits, renewable energy technologies and innovative environmental processes. Council have developed a Management Plan to provide a framework for the management, development and future use of the Brunswick Valley Sustainability Centre. Areas of interest include biomass coppice crops and associated bio-projects and solar energy farms. A first phase expression of interest is currently under preparation to seek responses from industry on what available technology would suit the results sought for this site in terms of sustainability and renewable energy outcomes.

EV Strategy

The Electric vehicle (EV) strategy was completed in November 2017. One of the key goals of the EV strategy is to establish a comprehensive network of charge stations in our region that will ensure EV users have confident access to charge opportunities in the Northern Rivers region. The NRMA plan to deliver Australia’s largest EV fast-charge network, with approximately 47 stations across NSW and ACT. Council is currently in contact with NRMA to determine the potential for a partnership.

 

 

Financial Implications

 

Projects are progressing within 2017/18 budget allocations. Grants will be sought where appropriate to support project delivery.

 

Statutory and Policy Compliance Implications

 

Nil