Energy efficiency projects

Council actions to reduce our operational carbon emissions over many years are delivering great results. Our 2020 goal is for emissions to be 30% less than the baseline year of 2011 and a stretch goal of 40%. We are currently on track to reduce our emissions by 70% by 2020.

One of the ways we have reduced our carbon emissions is to improve Council buildings to make them more energy efficient (warmer in winter and cooler in summer) and by installing solar systems to produce clean, green renewable energy. The improvements have lead to Council saving over $300,000 each year which can be reinvested into community projects. Since 2011 over 826kW of solar has been installed on council building producing clean, green energy. These projects also reduce our impact on the environment, and make the buildings healthier and more comfortable to be in.

Since 2011, Council has carried out energy efficiency works at iconic community sites across the municipality.

Moreland Civic Centre, Coburg

Moreland Civic Centre solar panels Moreland Civic Centre is an iconic heritage building of Merri-bek City Council and as the biggest energy user in Merri-bek’s building portfolio has been a focal point of Councils efforts to reduce its carbon emissions and to make the building a more comfortable place to work and visit. Measures implemented at the Merri-bek Civic Centre have included upgrades too: building management system, heating and cooling system, insulation, LED lighting, double-glazed windows, and the installation of a 128kW solar system.

View a video of the Solar panels at Merri-bek Civic Centre (MP4 83Mb) (MP4 83Mb) (MP4 83Mb) (MP4 83Mb) (MP4 83Mb)

Brunswick Town Hall and Library Community Hub

The Brunswick Town Hall and Library Community Hub was chosen as a major focus on energy efficiency upgrades because of its high profile and significant greenhouse gas reduction opportunities. Heating, cooling and building energy management system improvement works are producing outstanding results in energy reductions. Comparing the costs of operating the building at full capacity in 2012 with the latest figures reveals a 35% cent reduction in baseline electricity consumption and a massive 50% reduction in gas consumption. The comfort levels for people have also been improved as temperatures and air quality are more consistent and aligned with Council’s Indoor Thermal Comfort Policy.

A 99kW solar system is generating enough energy at certain times of the year (particularly spring and autumn) to supply all the buildings electricity requirements in the middle four hours of the business day.

For further details download:

Coburg Leisure Centre

Pool Covers The Coburg Leisure Centre was upgraded due to its high community use and energy saving opportunities. Council double glazed the windows in the pool hall and added pool blankets to reduce heat loss from the pool. The centre also received a comprehensive lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and thermal pool plant upgrade.

The thermal pool plant had new high efficiency condensing boilers installed that are the most efficient and lowest emissions method of converting natural gas into useable heat. The results at have been outstanding, both electricity and gas consumption have decreased by over 20% compared with the periods before the upgrades. An 80kW solar system has made the centre one of the most efficient public aquatic centres.

For further details download:

Fawkner Leisure Precinct

Council future proofed the low carbon energy supply at the Fawkner community hub - leisure centre, library and senior citizens centre - with additions such as pool blankets, double glazing, efficient lighting and improvements to the heating, cooling and air conditioning across the precinct.

For further details download:

We have produced fact sheets about our activities to improve energy efficiency at our centres: