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Sustainability and environmental initiatives
Climate Change
The City acknowledges that Climate change is real, and urgent action is required to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate.
In 2018, Councils across Western Australia came together to support a ‘call to action’ to address the impacts of climate change. The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) State Council endorsed this through their Climate Change Policy Statement.
Guiding plans and strategies
The Climate Change Response Plan was adopted by Council in August 2025. This Plan acts as a revision of the Corporate Carbon Reduction Plan, providing an update on the City’s progress, and setting revised targets and actions.
The five revised targets are below:
Maintain certification as a carbon neutral organisation annually from 2020–2035.
Achieve 100% electrification of all City-owned facilities by 2035 and maintain 100% renewable electricity in all City owned sites (excluding leased properties).
Reduce total energy consumption (electricity and natural gas) by 25 percent by 2030, compared to a FY 2018/19 baseline.
Reduce fuel consumption from heavy fleet vehicles by 10% by 2030 compared to a FY 2019/20 baseline and maintain an average of 50 g CO2-e per km or lower for the light fleet.
Reduce total corporate emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to a FY2019/20 baseline of 3,225.81 t CO2-e and achieve net zero corporate emissions by 2040.
This Plan is subject to review every four years, with the next review due before the end of 2029.
In 2020 Council operationalised the commitment to this policy and adopted its first Corporate Carbon Reduction Plan with six ambitious targets.
Corporate Carbon Reduction Plan:
Target 1: Obtain and maintain certified carbon neutral status 2020–2030
Target 2: 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025
Target 3: Energy consumption reduced by 20 per cent by 2025
Target 4: Fleet vehicles meet Climate Change Authority’s standard by 2025
Target 5: Reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by 2030
In 2021 the City became certified Carbon Neutral for it 2019/20 operations under the Climate Active program.
The Sustainability and Resilience Strategy drives the City’s approach to sustainability; providing direction and specific actions in governance, procurement, community development, planning, and environmental management.
The City undertakes annual certification with Climate Active, being certified Carbon Neutral since 2019/20.
The Environmental Plan includes actions the City and community will take to adapt to current changing climate conditions. The plan looks at ways to reduce water use, increase flora, fauna and green corridors, and minimise the spread of pathogens.
Sustainability projects and achievements:
The City strives to meet ambitious carbon reduction targets, including carbon neutral status, for the next decade. Reinforced by transparent reporting, the City aims to:
move to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025
reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent by 2025
reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by 2030
ensure all fleet vehicles meet the Climate Change Authority’s standard by 2025.
The City of Subiaco was one of the first Western Australian local governments to eliminate the use of Glyphosate. The City manages weed control using a chemical-free saturated steam process. This option provides a safe and effective alternative and keeps City parks, roads, and verges weed-free.
Read more about this integrated approach in this fact sheet.
To prevent pollution from entering the ocean, improve water cleanliness, and reduce the risk of algal blooms, the City installed a Seabin at Lake Subiaco Common.
The Seabin is an innovative Australian product made from recyclable material that collects plastics, debris, and water pollution, including surface oil. The Seabin has been installed in ports and marinas around the world, and this is the first time it has been used in an Australian lake.
Solar Power Generation
The City of Subiaco currently has a total solar power generation capacity of 162.78 kW spread over several facilities, as outlined below:
Facility | Solar system size (kW) |
|---|---|
Lords Recreation Centre | 100 |
Subiaco Library | 31.9 |
Rosalie Park | 10.88 |
Subiaco Community Centre | 10 |
Tom Dadour Community Centre | 10 |
While we are working towards a better understanding of exactly how much energy each of our solar systems generate each year, we estimate that 23 per cent of energy demand at Lords Recreation Centre and 40 per cent of energy demand at the Subiaco Library is generated on-site via rooftop solar.
Power Purchase Agreement
The City of Subiaco have signed onto a Power Purchase Agreement led by WALGA whereby 100 per cent of grid-purchased electricity across its contestable (high-consuming) sites will be supplied by three Western Australian renewable energy projects: Albany Wind Farm, Collgar Wind Farm and Emu Downs Wind Farm.
With electricity contributing more than 50 per cent of the Council’s annual corporate greenhouse gas emissions, the transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity at these facilities will vastly reduce Council’s carbon footprint and reliance on carbon credit units to maintain carbon neutrality. In signing onto the agreement, the City hope to influence greater uptake of renewable electricity in the broader community.
The City’s light vehicle fleet is currently made up of four Electric Vehicles (EVs). We’ve selected Nissan Leaf vehicles due to their small size and low electricity demand. The vehicles can travel up to 270 km per day on a full charge. The cost of electricity to charge each vehicle once per day is approximately $550 per year.
The City is a member of Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest network of local Councils leading the way to a thriving, net zero emissions future. Under this membership the City has committed to five pledges:
To power Council operations by renewable energy, and set targets to increase the level of renewable power for Council operations over time.
To ensure Council fleet purchases meet strict greenhouse gas emissions requirements and support the uptake of electric vehicles.
To develop a procurement policy to ensure that the practices of contractors and financers align with Council’s renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport goals.
To roll out energy efficient lighting across the municipality.
To support cycling through provision of adequate cycle lanes, bike parking and end-of-ride facilities.
Cities Power Partnership membership allows the City to collaborate and share knowledge with Councils around Australia on key sustainability and resilience issues. This allows us to be part of a greater movement, and to learn from the experience of other local Councils.
The City now uses GreenStar Concrete in all new concrete footpaths. This is made up of 40 per cent ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) which is a by-product of steel manufacture which would otherwise go to landfill. GreenStar concrete also makes use of manufactured sand (25 per cent) and recycled water, thereby reducing reliance on virgin materials. The product results in approximately 44 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions compared to concrete of a similar rating.
The City has installed floating islands in Subiaco Common Lake to provide a safe spot for local fauna to roost and nest and to improve water quality naturally. The plants on the island filter water through the roots of the plants, reducing the risk of algae blooms, as well as contribute to the overall aesthetic of the park. They are made up of a base structure supporting native semi-aquatic plants, enhancing biodiversity in the area.
Switch Your Thinking is a local government initiative that aims to support the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to global efforts to secure a safe climate.
As a Switch Your Thinking member council, residents of the City of Subiaco can access a number of benefits including free community workshops and the Rewards for Residents program.