Projects
ENHANCING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
-
2022 / 2023
Funded by the Minderoo FoundationDOWNLOADS:
Project SummaryClimate change is significantly increasing risk, such as fires, floods, coastal erosion and heat waves to local communities across Australia. Preparing communities for current and future changes to the climate is a critical task and requires protection of life, property and wellbeing. Proactively preparing communities to act prior, during and after disasters builds community resilience to future impacts and minimises risks and consequences.
The Resilient Communities Project will help prepare communities in the SECCCA region for current and future changes to the climate, by improving community preparedness through practical actions, tools, and resources. Project participants will be empowered with information and access to new or improved services enabling them to make individual decisions to prepare for climate change.
The project is being funded by the Minderoo Foundation. Established by Andrew and Nicola Forrest in 2001, Minderoo Foundation is a modern philanthropic organisation seeking to break down barriers, innovate and drive positive, lasting change.
In September 2020, Minderoo Foundation along with more than 50 partners launched the Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative, to reduce the harm caused by fires and floods and pivot Australia to become the global leader in fire and flood resilience by 2025.
NET ZERO COMMUNITY EMISSIONS
-
Completed
DOWNLOADS:
In partnership with GSEM (Greater South East Melbourne) a regional Zero Emissions Roadmap for the South East Melbourne has been developed, presenting an opportunity to proactively and collaboratively position the region to benefit and prosper in a low emissions world.
The Roadmap identifies key roles for GSEM and SECCCA member councils in the task of reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 across five key sectors (industrial, commercial, residential, transport and waste).
ASSET VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
-
Completed Project
Funded by SECCCA MembersDOWNLOADS:
1. Climate Vulnerability Guide
2. SECCCA AVA Findings Report
3. SECCCA AVA Methods Report
4. SECCCA Worked Examples ReportCase Studies:
1. Case Studies Overview
2. Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Centre Case Study
3. Mitigating Flood Damages Case Study
4. Protecting Foreshore Precinct Infrastructure Case StudyVideo Launch:
Watch the video launch of the SECCCA Asset Vulnerability Guide.
Councils have various levels of understanding about how climate change will impact assets and service delivery, such as on roads, buildings and drainage. To facilitate strategic asset management, maintenance and prudent financial planning, councils should consider the impacts of climate change on assets.The Asset Vulnerability Assessment Project developed tools and approaches to support SECCCA councils understand how council buildings, drainage and local road assets will be impacted by various climate scenarios. This includes attributing a vulnerability rating to assets and identifying adaptation options that may increase asset resilience.
The project examined how climate change impacted expenditure on council assets through calculating the financial and economic cost of various adaptation options on several site-specific case studies. This information will assist with appropriate budget forecasting to ensure ongoing delivery of services to the community.
Building on this project SECCCA secured additional funding under the Victorian Government’s Supporting our Regions to Adapt program. This funding was used to build capacity by delivering a Climate Vulnerability Guide to assist other councils undertake the same approaches themselves.
Councils have various levels of understanding about how climate change will impact assets and service delivery, such as on roads, buildings and drainage. To facilitate strategic asset management, maintenance and prudent financial planning, councils should consider the impacts of climate change on assets.
The Asset Vulnerability Assessment Project developed tools and approaches to support SECCCA councils understand how council buildings, drainage and local road assets will be impacted by various climate scenarios. This includes attributing a vulnerability rating to assets and identifying adaptation options that may increase asset resilience.
The project examined how climate change impacted expenditure on council assets through calculating the financial and economic cost of various adaptation options on several site-specific case studies. This information will assist with appropriate budget forecasting to ensure ongoing delivery of services to the community.
Building on this project SECCCA secured additional funding under the Victorian Government’s Supporting our Regions to Adapt program. This funding was used to build capacity by delivering a Climate Vulnerability Guide to assist other councils undertake the same approaches themselves.
RESIDENTIAL CASE STUDY
-
Completed Project
Funded by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).DOWNLOADS:
Project SummaryThe overarching objective of the project was to understand the level of risk to residential homes and consider actions to build suitable adaptation measures and address these risks, leading to improved climate resilience of residential homes.
-
2022 / 2023
SECCCA MembersDOWNLOADS:
Project SummaryThe overarching objective is to provide a region-wide study, investigating the carbon sequestration opportunities for the south east Melbourne region. This in turn will assist councils to meet their varying emission reduction and net zero targets.
This project is scheduled for completion by 30th July 2023. Environmental Accounting Services have been engaged as project consultant to undertake the study.
CARBON SINK STUDY
BUILDING BUSINESS RESILIENCE
-
Completed Project
Funded by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)DOWNLOADS:
Project SummarySmall Business Climate Adaptation Toolkit
Small to medium businesses, like all segments of the community, are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change in many ways. These could be direct, such as from fire or flood or indirect through the impact on supply chains.
Businesses have varying levels of preparedness in relation to climate change, with little prioritising climate change impacts. Many require support and capacity building around the transition to clean energy and energy efficiency. A simple process can help them understand and plan for such events.
SECCCA has recently undertaken a climate change impact assessment of its entire region. Building on this work, SECCCA is able to provide information to businesses that demonstrate their exposure to climate extremes and how they can respond to improve resilience.
This project is about developing resources for the business sector to help businesses conduct climate risk assessment, mitigation and planning.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE NEW HOME ENERGY ADVISORY SERVICE
-
2017/2020
Funded by the Victorian GovernmentDOWNLOADS:
Project SummaryHelping new home buyers in Victoria’s largest growth corridor by providing expert advice on how to improve the star energy rating, this 3 year project operates at two display locations in partnership with Villawood and Parklea that will host thousands of people looking to purchase a new home.
The project aims to provide in depth and tailored energy advice based on new home buyers building plans to find the balance between improving energy efficiency and installing renewable energy and in accordance with budgets and household needs.
Are you building a new house anywhere in Victoria and in the planning stage?
We’ve helped many new home owners achieve their dream, not just to build a beautiful home but one that is comfortable, attracts less bugs and dust and has low or no power bills. Our independent free consultation takes about an 1-1.5 hours. During the consultation we review your building plans and discuss all the available options for you to improve the energy efficiency of your home and those with the greatest benefit! We’ll give you a toolkit with all the critical information to ask your builder and a cost estimator so you can make decisions on what to do. We’ll also support you through this process, providing as much advice as needed along the way to having your new home built.
Case Studies
Click the link to download a summary of the preliminary Case Studies of those that participated in the New Homes Energy Advisory Service.
SECCCA NHEAS Case Study 01
SECCCA NHEAS Case Study 03
SECCCA NHEAS Case Study 04
SECCCA NHEAS Case Study 05
SECCCA NHEAS Case Study 06
Project Results
NHEAS Findings and Recommendations
POWERING UP: A GUIDE TO ELECTRIFICATION
-
Complete Project
DOWNLOADS:
Project SummaryNatural gas releases greenhouse gases when burned, and significantly more when it leaks. There is currently no renewable equivalent to natural gas, whereas electricity can be sourced from renewable energy such as solar, wind and hydro.
In the past, gas appliances have been much cheaper to operate, however electrical heating and hot water are becoming more and more efficient, leading to cost savings as well as easily being sourced from renewable electricity.
Removing gas from a Council site also reduces costs from service and supply charges, typically $300-500 per year.
This project will provide member Councils with a guide to help identify opportunities to replace gas appliances with electric in Council buildings, as well as estimate costs and savings, build business cases, and provide data to meet Council targets.
BRIEFEZY
-
2019/Ongoing
Funded by SECCCA MembersDOWNLOADS:
Project Summary (2022 update)BriefEzy (previously known as the ESD Matrix) produces ESD requirements that can be included in architectural tender / quotation documentation to outline the sustainability requirements of each council project.
It is completed by council officers as part of the preparation of tender documentation, and the results included in the documentation when seeking architectural services. Considerations include:
Project budget
Type and size of facility
Use of facility
Availability of recycled water
Climate zone of facility
BriefEzy is versatile and adaptable. Councils can choose the level of ESD they are aiming for (essential, best practice and leading) and tailor the outputs to suite their specific requirements. Many initiatives within each level have attractive payback periods.
Many Councils have implemented Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP). SDAPP has established the Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard to measure the design of private development and ensure it exceeds the minimum Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements in relation to Sustainable Design. It is important that all Councils are encouraged to meet or exceed the requirements being established by BESS, for Councils’ own buildings. The basic level of BriefEzy is conducive to the design meeting or exceeding a BESS pass mark, though individual Councils will retain the ability to modify the outputs to suit their specific project aspirations.
For more information please contact Daniel Pleiter, Projects Coordinator dpleiter@seccca.org.au
-
August 2021/ June 2022
Funded by the Victorian Government (Sustainability Victoria)
DOWNLOADS:
Project SummaryNOTE: The Small Business Energy Saver Program has finished and SECCCA is no longer advising new businesses about energy efficiency programs. There are still energy upgrade discounts available via the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program. The Business Energy Advice Program (BEAP), Solar for Small Business and Energy Compare are other energy saving programs small businesses can access also.
SECCCA is currently facilitating the roll out of the Small Business Energy Saver Program across its nine south-east member councils. This Sustainability Victoria (SV) initiative provides a $2,000 rebate for small businesses to upgrade their outdated appliances to more energy efficient and cost effective products, covering:
– Hot water systems (gas and electric)
– Space heating and cooling
– Refrigerators and upright freezers
– Refrigerator display cabinets
– Water-efficient pre-rinse spray valves
– Energy efficient listed motors and fan motors in refrigerated systems
This program is targeted towards small businesses that have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 operating restrictions, particularly engaging the following industries: hospitality, retail, accommodation, tourism and the arts and entertainment industry.
The minimum eligibility criteria are:
1. Operating out of a commercial premise
2. Employing 19 or less full-time equivalent (FTE) staff*
*Owner-operators are included under this distinction
Whilst the program provides a short-term economic incentive, these upgrades will improve each business’ climate resilience in addition to providing long-term energy cost reductions. Small business owners can then utilise these savings to invest back into their business.
SECCCA is proud to work with small businesses that are interested in lowering their carbon footprint, opening the program to all member councils: Port Phillip, Bayside, Kingston, Frankston, Dandenong, Mornington Peninsula, Casey, Cardinia and Bass Coast.
If you are a small business and are interested in the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program, please visit here.
Business Energy Advice Program (for businesses with 6-20 employees):
“The Small Business Energy Saver Program is a great initiative. The SECCCA team did their best to keep up with the changing envelope of the grant and kept up communications at all points. It’s simple, easy and the new heat pump unit is a fantastic upgrade to help keep our business green and reduce costs. Solid trades for the install and overall great experience for a very cheap upgrade.”
– Mornington Green, director
“Victoria provided great customer service and the entire process was extremely easy. We are very happy with our new upright fridge and discount we received. I would recommend the Small Business Energy Saver Program to other businesses, especially with the help that SECCCA can provide. The process was very streamlined with Victoria’s assistance from start to finish.”
– Sam (Business Operations Consultant), Overland Group
“The process to get our fridge upgrade was very easy overall, we are happy with our new equipment for no cost. Our Accredited Provider was very nice and helpful within the program. Victoria did well in referring us to multiple Providers for our own preference and clearly explained how the program works. I also recommended the program to another small business after starting the process with SECCCA.”
– Chistine (HR Manager), Victorian Ductwork & Sheetmetal
ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING
-
Completed Project
DOWNLOADS:
Electric Vehicle Charging Roadmap
Discussion Paper and Policy Template
The South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) requires the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging roadmap, policy guidance and a snapshot of future trends, to help lower transport emissions.
SECCCA has a vision for the communities that reside within its borders to live a zero-emission lifestyle. SECCCA has declared a climate emergency and have recognised that 25% of emissions are transport related. Further reasons for this project include:
Community sentiment on EVs is evolving rapidly, and some member councils have begun to receive requests from residents for public EV charging.
EV charging equipment suppliers have approached councils seeking to install chargers and public land and clearer policy guidance is required to consistently manage these requests. The role of local government in facilitating this must be clarified.
A stronger understanding is required on where future charging infrastructure should be placed, using a data-led approach.
A clear, robust plan for publicly available charging infrastructure will provide a strong foundation for SECCCA members to apply for funding to have chargers installed in their LGAs.
In response this project aims to deliver:
EV Charging Roadmap, The Roadmap will need to: a. Identify optimal locations for publicly available charging b. Cover the key issues that must be considered for the development of an implementation plan, delivered in 2030, for each LGA, to create a regional network.
Discussion paper and policy template. This will cover: a. Relevant planning and statutory requirements b. Ownership models c. Permits and approvals considerations for leasing public and private land (including on-street parking bays).
Future scan of emerging market trends and the implications of these trends for SECCCA members and the Roadmap.
The municipalities of City of Casey, Cardinia Shire Council, City of Kingston, Frankston City Council and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council are the key focus areas.
SMALL BUSINESS ENERGY SAVER PROGRAM
FINANCING PHYSICAL RISK MITIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE
-
2019/Ongoing
Funded by SECCCA MembersVIDEO:
Project SummaryIn July 2019 the Victorian based South East Council Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) and the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) codesigned a session at the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances conference. The session discussed the following issues; how climate change is requiring local government to change the way they plan for, and invest in resilient built environments in an era of climate change? How can local government fund and build protection for their own, and privately-owned, assets (physical risk mitigation infrastructure)? How to quantify the financial impacts of climate change for local government? How to make the right investment decisions, and appropriately allocate resources? and, how to access public and private finance to enable investment that is needed?
Building on the outcomes of the workshop, this initiative aims to catalyse actions that create a pathway for local governments to address the physical risks associated with more extreme, and potentially more frequent, natural hazards expected in an era of climate change.
To continue to investigate these pathways SECCCA is now delivering a number of workshops and the presentations from these are below:
28th April Financing Physical Risk Mitigation Infrastructure Workshop
Background Briefing Paper
SECCCA Prebrief Working Paper
Presentation Context
Workshop Recording
CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION SESSIONS
-
2019/Ongoing
SECCCA MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAM
COMMUNITY AND COUNCIL CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION SESSIONS
SECCCA members receive 2 free presentations on climate or environment issues. Education sessions vary in topics, including:
Energy Ratings: Household energy rating systems and setting performance goals, Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard, NaTHERS, Passive House (aspirational and certified), Carbon Neutrality
Zero Energy Homes: Improving household energy efficiency and achieving net zero energy homes in new and existing homes and at lowest capital cost inc. 5 Case studies from newly built homes
Understanding Energy Use: Reading and understanding power bills, utility and retailer energy portals
Energy Use and the Seasons: Seasonal topics, such as reducing winter heating and cooling in summer
Solar and Battery storage: Buyers guide, what to look for in a good system, types of systems (however not technical information) inc. Green Power options
Energy Saving Programs: Cost savings from switching providers and current state and federal government programs and rebates for renewable energy
SECCCA Project Outcomes: Any of our final project outcomes or case studies from the Sustainable Homes Programs, Solar Saver Study, Save it for the Game, Financial Risk Adaptation Planning (FRAP), New Homes Energy Advisory Service and Scorecard
Community EcoHouses: Designing, building and fitting out Community EcoHouse’s
Train the Trainer: Staff or volunteer training in any of the above and where possible using train the trainer manuals developed by SECCCA
SECCCA is available to provide presentations outside of its membership. For further information or to book a presentation please contact Daniel Pleiter via email on dpleiter@seccca.org.au
REGIONAL COMMUNITY CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN
-
2020/2020
SECCCA MembersDOWNLOADS:
Project SummaryIn March 2020, seven SECCCA Councils agreed to collaborate with Ironbark Sustainability on an evidence-based Community Action Planning project. This project will deliver a realistic plan for achieving the required annual reductions in emissions within the necessary timeframe.
SECCCA has set an ambitious target which aligns to the Paris Agreement of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The region needs to reduce emissions by 976 kt CO2-e which represents a challenging 5.8% reduction per year until 2037.
The scale of reductions required can seem exceptionally high. For this reason, it’s important for councils to carefully consider how best to leverage resources.
Councils acknowledge that most often, direct action by a council will not be the most efficient way to reduce emissions. Instead there are a number of ways that councils can engage and work with stakeholders and other levels of government to facilitate the required emissions reductions.
For more information on the projects and the types of interventions the project will consider please download the project information.
COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING PROJECT – REGIONAL STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP REPORT 14TH JULY 2020