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Submissions
SECCCA makes submissions to state and federal inquiries and consultations on behalf of its member councils. We focus on the policy settings councils need to cut emissions and prepare their communities for climate impacts.
Current submissions (2024 onwards)
2026
Inquiry into the 2026 Summer Fires across Victoria
SECCCA’s submission to the Victorian Parliament’s Environment and Planning Committee draws on its Residential Resilience Ratings Pilot with DEECA. In the pilot, 41 of the 43 homes assessed received the lowest possible bushfire resilience rating. SECCCA makes seven recommendations, including combined home energy and bushfire resilience assessments, and disclosure of both ratings when a home is sold or leased.
2026
Inquiry into renewable and affordable energy for apartments
A joint submission by the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances and the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) to the Victorian Parliament’s Environment and Planning Committee. It calls for reform of owners corporation rules so sustainability upgrades are easier to approve, a state-funded apartment energy upgrade program, and on-site solar in new apartment developments.
2025
Inquiry into electricity supply for electric vehicles
A joint submission with the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances to the Victorian Parliament’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, calling for state and federal leadership to coordinate EV charging with electricity supply and demand.
Joint submission (PDF)
Final report (June 2026)
2025
Productivity Commission inquiry: investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation
SECCCA called for incentives to decarbonise heavy vehicles, more federal investment in council climate adaptation, and national leadership on a climate risk database and a housing resilience rating system.
SECCCA submission (PDF)
Productivity Commission inquiry and final report
SECCCA’s model of regional climate collaboration is featured as a case study in the Australian Government’s National Adaptation Plan (2025).
Archive
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Climate Change and Planning in Victoria
A report by Hansen Partnership on how Victoria’s planning system can tackle climate change.
Climate Change and Planning in Victoria: final report
DELWP Market Facilitation Platform consultation paper
SECCCA supports a platform to help businesses buy renewable energy, and proposes a regional approach based on the Small Business Energy Saver Program to help businesses use it.
Victoria’s Gas Substitution Roadmap consultation paper
SECCCA called for a faster move away from gas that captures the economic opportunity for the south east and keeps costs off vulnerable communities.
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Technology Investment Roadmap
The Victorian Greenhouse Alliances called on the Federal Government for a strategy that acts on climate change with far more urgency and ambition.
Victorian Greenhouse Alliances submission
Covid-19 Recovery and Climate Change
Local governments are dealing with the pandemic and climate change at the same time, and local climate solutions can boost pandemic recovery.
Incorporating Energy Efficiency into Private and Public Sector Housing Development
From our work with builders on net zero carbon homes: builders find energy efficiency improvements affordable, available and achievable, with only limited changes to their building systems.
Victorian Electricity Distribution Price Review (EDPR) 2021–2026
The Victorian Greenhouse Alliances led two sector-wide submissions to the Australian Energy Regulator. The AER ruled in favour of the Alliance-led submission, which will help Victorian councils avoid over $10.7M in OMR charges over five years, plus a further $19.8M out to 2046.
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National Construction Code Review and New Home Energy Advisory Service Evaluation
Most volume builders build only to the minimum 6 Star NatHERS standard, and home buyers lack the knowledge and opportunity to choose homes that are affordable to run, comfortable and healthy.
Climate Change and Local Government
Climate change brings financial, infrastructure and reputational risks to local government and to the wellbeing of communities, and affects every part of council business.
Climate Change Authority: Updating the Authority’s Advice on Meeting the Paris Agreement
Most Victorian councils had set emissions reduction targets for their own operations, including 25 councils with a carbon neutral target.
Victorian Greenhouse Alliances submission
Inquiry into Tackling Climate Change in Victorian Communities
Local government leads the transition to zero carbon and helps communities become more resilient to a changing climate. The submission sets out the challenges and opportunities this brings.
Victoria’s Interim Emissions Reduction Targets
Interim targets are crucial for Victoria to meet its climate and clean energy commitments and help limit warming to 1.5°C.
Electricity Distribution Code Review
SECCCA recommended dynamic export control on inverters and smart meters, so distributors can manage power fed in from rooftop solar and home batteries and the network can make use of it.
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Review of Climate Change Policies (Australian Government)
A long-term emissions reduction goal for Australia beyond 2030, backed by policies and programs, is essential to show Australia is committed to global efforts to cut emissions.