More than 100 local government leaders rallied together in Melbourne recently

The rally of these leaders which hailed from Wagga Wagga to Launceston was designed to accelerate the uptake of clean transport in their communities, as part of the Climate Summit for Local Government in September.
Ahead of World EV Day, councillors and council staff took the latest zero-emission cars for a
spin as part of the Cities Power Partnership
two-day national summit to explore opportunities for cities and regions to create a clean energy future.
“Local governments have the power to make zero-emission transport more accessible to all Australians,” Cities Power Partnership Director, Dr Portia Odell, said.
“Councils are effectively revving up the electric car second-hand market by purchasing EVs for their fleets. They are also rolling out charging infrastructure networks, educating the community and enabling more Australians to choose public and active transport – like walking and bike riding – more often.
“Transport is Australia’s third highest source of greenhouse gas pollution that is driving climate change. By shifting gears to renewable powered electric cars, buses and even garbage trucks, councils are playing a crucial role in rolling out Australian climate solutions.”
Nillumbik Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Carl Cowie, said collaboration was a must.
“As a Green Wedge Shire, Nillumbik understands we cannot work alone to affect change and is committed to educating our community, working actively and collaboratively to help address climate change,” Carl said.
“As a member council of Northern Council Alliance, we have been collaborating closely on a Regional Transport Advocacy and Community Electric Vehicle Transition Plan ready to be launched early October.
“This plan is a comprehensive strategy that will prepare communities and businesses across Melbourne’s north for transition to electric vehicles.
“We also regularly host and support sustainability workshops, events and celebrations for our community; have invested in hybrid fleet vehicles and EV charge stations; and every one of Council’s buildings has already received some form of retrofit energy efficiency upgrade to help reduce our grid sourced energy consumption.”
Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action Chair, Cr Trent McCarthy, is calling for national targets.
“Councils across Melbourne’s north have been collaborating for over two decades to create and share zero emissions solutions for our communities,” Cr McCarthy said.
“Powering up the local transition to EVs and other sustainable transport options has been high on our advocacy agenda. Along with other Victorian Greenhouse Alliances, we’ve called for national targets for electric vehicles, the use of government purchasing power to encourage investment in the industry, a national training program to upskill workers, and rapidly-raised fuel efficiency standards.”
Mildura Rural City Council’s Councillor Jason Modica said the council is actively increasing its EV fleet.
“Mildura Rural City Council has been at the forefront of the transition to renewable energy for many years, boasting rooftop solar on the majority of our larger council buildings and facilities, powered by cheap, reliable, green energy which is in abundance,” Cr Modica said.
“Over the last two years we have sharpened our focus on transitioning our vehicle fleet to EVs, purchasing six vehicles and developing policies to transition our light and heavy vehicle fleets to EVs by 2030 and 2040 respectively. This will reduce our organisation’s carbon footprint and costs for council and ratepayers.”
The Climate Summit for Local Government 2023, said to be the premier climate and energy event for local government leaders in Australia, was held across September 6-8 at RMIT Storey Hall in Melbourne.
It explored opportunities in clean transport, clean energy transformation, climate risk, building resilience and adapting to climate change, and working together for greater impact. 

For more information, visit www.climatecouncil.org.au or www.citiespowerpartnership.org.au/cppsummit-2023