34Add leased buildings to Council's PPA (VECO)
Progress
On time
- Not started
- Planning
- Implementation
- Completed
OBJECTIVE
IMPACT
HighEstimated 468 tCO2-e (7% of Council's total emissions). Includes 234 tCO2-e electricity and 234 tCO2-e natural gas.
Description
Leased Council buildings and facilities produce an estimated 8% of our total emissions.
These emissions are downstream Scope 3 emissions.
Council's Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) allows us to add leased buildings, with the invoices still being issued to the tenant. If we don't and these buildings use non-renewable energy sources we will have to pay annual carbon offsets.
We will follow a similar process to the actions identified for reducing energy in Council facilities by incorporating highest consumers in EER and facility assessments and extending the PPA to leased assets in the future.
To include leased buildings to our PPA, Council needs to reach an agreement with tenants around electricity supply, ask tenants to provide details to complete a 'Roll-In' form, and send the completed form to Red Energy. The biggest hurdle is contacting tenants, especially where facilities are managed by voluntary Committees of Management with high turnover and resulting loss of knowledge around electricity accounts.
Tasks
What's left to do?
- 01/03/2024
Formulate strategic approach to leased facilities, utilities and upgrades
- 30/06/2024
Audit utilities status of existing leased facilities
Some tenants of Council facilities have gaps in their data, or are otherwise unable to provide Council their utilities data. Filling these data gaps is important to understanding the scale of emissions Council needs to address.
What are we doing?
- 30/06/2024
Compile accurate data relating to Council's leased buildings/facilities
Information includes status of facility (tenanted, CoM) and best contact.
- 31/10/2024
Add Rutherglen Caravan Park to Council's VECO
The new owners of the Rutherglen Caravan Park (HPM Australia) have joined Council's VECO, having previous experience operating a park in Gippsland that also was on VECO.
- 30/09/2025
Add all leased buildings to Council's VECO
Adding leased buildings to Council's VECO will involve the following steps:
- Identify all leased buildings and their occupants, and identify the key contact and appropriate communication channel.
- Write to occupants outlining our proposal and context, and suggest the following options:
- Join Council's VECO account (via a Red Energy 'Roll -In') and receive reduced bills (based on Council's experience).
- Sign up to another 100% renewable electricity provider (e.g. Indigo Power).
What has been done?
- 23.11.2023
Add Beechworth Tennis Club to Council's VECO
Constructed in May 2022, the tennis courts at Baarmutha Park in Beechworth are leased by the Beechworth Lawn Tennis Club. Their retailer was Red Energy but their plan was not on Green Power. Switching their account to Council's VECO has reduced emissions to zero and save the club money.
- 31.08.2023
Add Chiltern Community Hub to Council's VECO
The newly constructed Chiltern Hub at Crawford St Chiltern, has been added to Council's VECO account via a Red Energy Roll-In form.
- 31.03.2023
Add Beechworth Gang Plate Layers Cottage to Council's VECO
The recently restored/renovated Beechworth Gang Plate Layers Cottage at 3A Harper St Beechworth, has been added to Council's VECO account via a Red Energy Roll-In form. Beechworth Lions Club is the tenant.
- 31.03.2023
Add Beechworth Railway Station to Council's VECO
The Beechworth Railway Station, at 3B Harper St, has been added to Council's VECO account via a Red Energy Roll-In form. Beechworth U3A is the tenant.
Summary and contacts
Timeline
01/07/2021 → 31/03/2024
Target audience
Responsible organisations
- Environment & SustainabilityLiases with Red Energy to facilitate 'Roll-Ins' of leased buildings to our PPA, and also monitors our emissions via Trellis.
- Assets & PropertyPrimary contact with tenants of Council's leased buildings.
- Community DevelopmentSupports tenants of Council's leased buildings.
Emissions Scope
Indicative costs
Staff time
Indicative savings
Offsets from Scope 3 (tenant energy) emissions
Information updated 25.11.2024
Items to address include uniformity and transparency in approach to utilities accounts in leased facilities, equity and fairness is approaching tenants, and potential costs, benefits and risks.