Bellingen Shire Council Hits Emission Target Five Years Early

Published on 12 August 2025

Image: Mayor Cr. Steve Allan and General Manager Mark Griffioen with Bellingen Shire Council's new electric lawn mower

This year, Bellingen Shire Council has exceeded its goal of a 45% reduction in fuel and electricity emissions, a full five years earlier than the target year of 2030, a win-win for both environmental sustainability and cost efficiency.  

Council has been implementing energy efficiency actions and installing solar panels since 2010, and in 2019 declared a climate emergency, setting a target of a 45% reduction in fuel and electricity emissions by 2030 compared to its baseline year of 2009/10. With 2024/25 figures showing a 58% reduction in emissions, this target has been well and truly achieved.

Council has undertaken energy efficiency lighting upgrades at 16 different facilities, installed over 300 kW of solar panels and upgraded street lighting to more efficient LED lighting. More recently it began transitioning its fleet to electric by replacing one of its diesel ride-on mowers with an electric mower, and two of its petrol fleet vehicles with electric vehicles.

A key reason for hitting this target early was Council’s decision to partner with 12 other regional councils to procure a 100% renewable electricity Power Purchase Agreement in late 2024. With almost 100 council-owned sites across the Shire, from libraries to community halls, waste facilities, works depots, swimming pools and water and wastewater treatment facilities all being powered by 100% renewable electricity, this power purchase agreement has led to dramatic emissions reductions.

Bellingen Shire Council General Manager, Mark Griffioen, commended the achievement, acknowledging the years of consistent effort behind the results.

“Our community has told us that action on climate change is a key priority. Council has listened and is proud to be able to deliver this fantastic result for our community,” said Mr Griffioen.

“Not only is this a significant environmental achievement for Bellingen Shire Council, but there have also been significant cost savings as well. A focus on efficiencies, such as the switch to LED streetlighting, saves Council approximately $30,000 a year in electricity costs as well as approximately 144 tonnes of emissions. This is a win-win for our community and the environment.”

To accelerate its emission reduction Council has been working closely with the Mid-North Coast Joint Organisation (MNCJO) through its Net Zero Acceleration Program. The program, funded by the Office of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, was established to help regional councils reduce their emissions and play their part in the state’s net zero target.

MNCJO Executive Officer, Liz Fairweather, highlights the benefits of the Net Zero Program.

“The program builds capacity within councils to reduce their emissions and has been crucial to the delivery of regional initiatives, such as the Power Purchase Agreement and the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure,” Ms. Fairweather said.

“Bellingen Shire Council has been an active and engaged participant from the start of the program and is to be commended for its significant emission reduction actions and its ability to leverage the resources available through the Net Zero Acceleration Program to deliver lasting results.”

Council has now firmly established itself as a leader among small rural councils for action on climate change. In 2024 Council was recognised for its significant achievements by being awarded the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Award (Population Category B) at the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards.

Mayor Cr. Steve Allan is thrilled with Council’s progress towards a more sustainable and efficient future for the Bellingen Shire.

“Council is now in the enviable position of having to develop and adopt an updated Corporate Carbon Plan because we have implemented so many of the actions in its 2019 Plan that we now need to identify more opportunities for the next five years,” said Mayor Allan.

“Council is proud to be leading the way in local solutions to this global problem. While celebrating this achievement, we are looking firmly to the future at our next target – net zero by 2040.”