Members of the GMCA

Latest news from our Members...

​PAPER ON NATURALLY COOLER TOWNS PUBLISHED IN AUSTRALIAN PLANNER

A paper on the Naturally Cooler Towns project, facilitated by GMCA was recently published in Australian Planner 'Urban greening beyond the major cities: insights from the 'Naturally Cooler Towns' initiative in Victoria's Goulburn Murray region' written by Judy Bush and Brian Coffey et al. It focuses on urban greening beyond the major cities and the great work of collaborative local governments.

​COME AND WORK WITH THE GMCA

December 2022:
The GMCA is looking to hire two part time Climate Change Project Officers to work on two innovative projects. The first is for a six month term scoping a Regional Renewables Bulk Buy programme for community and business. You will get to deep dive into how such a programme would look and operate, bringing it to point of tender.
Our second opportunity is for a 12 month term managing a very exciting project for eight of our members - A Resilient Public Estate. This is a 12 month project working with consultants to discover the long-term financial and service risks of climate change to regional LG assets, and putting in place asset assessment profiling approaches. This role is to assist the GMCA Executive Officer to manage the project.
Applications close on 12 January 2023 with interviews in late January 2023. Please see the position descriptions for more details.

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS: IN THE MEDIA

Shepparton News
​December 2022

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GMCA LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH NEW FOUR YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

In August 2022 the GMCA has, after nearly 12 months of solid internal consultation, endorsed its new four year 2022-26 Strategic Plan. The plan continues the Alliance's focus on mitigation, adaptation, capacity building and advocacy, but also draws from the overarching global targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
"The global goals have been 'localised' and given relevant targets and indicators that align them to the SDGs, but keep them firmly grounded in regional Goulburn Murray interests", said GMCA Chair, Cr Rohan Webb. "Members of the GMCA recognise climate change is a global phenomenon and undertaking. We want to be connected to a solid, global list of integrated priorities, with our actions positively impacting communities, the environment, and the economy, and enabling us to achieve results on the ground, and at a higher level."
​The new GMCA 2022-26 Strategic Plan can be viewed here.

URBAN FORESTS OF THE GOULBURN MURRAY

In September 2021 Member representatives, council arborists, and member specialists from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, commenced a project exploring opportunities to add to greening in the urban areas of regional and rural northeast towns with the Naturally Cooler Towns project. Members reviewed the effect of drought tolerant urban forest species suited to this region, and the challenges and opportunities available operationally and regionally. The outcomes, species lists, and recommendations can be found on our Naturally Cooler Towns project page.

EV FAST CHARGING IN THE NORTH-EAST

Transport emissions make up some 18.8% of Australia's national greenhouse gas inventory. The Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance joined other Victorian Greenhouse Alliances to review and propose a prioritised fast charge electric vehicle network in regional Victoria. The Report "Charging the Regions" which we finalised from this collaboration, showed placing infrastructure in regional areas is essential for local economies as EV uptake increases. Importantly Charging the Regions has been a key reference for major funding allocation and demonstrated how important the Greenhouse Alliances are in bringing low-carbon technologies to regional areas.
Funding for charging infrastructure at Broadford, Kilmore, Cobram, Wodonga, Wallan, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Benalla, Yarrawonga, Beechworth, Corryong, Alexandra, Mansfield, Bright, Nagambie, Yackandandah, Tahbilk, Tatura and Echuca was received from the Victorian State Government in late 2021. Locations are now coming online on sites such as Plugshare as infrastructure is installed.

COUNCILS SIGN UP FOR CORPORATE RENEWABLES

The Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance is proud to contribute to the Victorian Energy Collaboration, a local government led renewable power purchase agreement, and the largest local government greenhouse gas mitigation in Australia. VECO saw 46 councils join to use 100% renewable energy, which prevents 260,000 tonnes of CO2 entering our atmosphere every year. Our Members proudly contribute more than 19,000 tonnes annually of this grand total. Many GMCA councils have taken a big step in getting to net zero emissions in joining this initiative, with six more of our Members recently signing up. You can read more about this historic project here.