Proactive initiatives being undertaken by Bundaberg Regional Council to reduce climate change impacts within the Great Barrier Reef region have been highlighted in a new report.
The Council is one of 19 to have been featured in the Reef Guardian Councils climate change initiatives snapshot.
Mayor, Jack Dempsey said Bundaberg Regional Council was proud to be a Reef Guardian Council.
“Just about everyone has heard me say it, but we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Mayor Dempsey said. “And we’re proud of it!
“That’s why we’re doing all we can to minimise our impacts on the reef.”
The snapshot, which can be viewed in full here, includes six reef-friendly Bundaberg Region initiatives including:
- Phytocapping Qunaba Landfill
- Bundaberg bioHub Industrial Park
- Landfill gas flaring program
- One Million Trees project
- Solar system and energy efficiency scoping and analysis
- Street tree planting
Highlighted in the report, at Cedars Road Landfill more than 9.9 million cubic metres of landfill gas has been flared from 2013 to August 2020, which represents approximately 55,337 tonnes of carbon-dioxide-equivalent.
More than 10 million cubic metres of landfill gas has been flared from 2015 to August 2020 at University Drive Landfill, representing approximately 55,206 tonnes of carbon-dioxide-equivalent.
Mayor Dempsey said the initiatives were “just scratching the surface” of the extensive work Council was undertaking.
“We have also recently launched our Eco Destination Certification bid which is supporting the local tourism industry to tap into a multi-million dollar industry while protecting and celebrating our natural attractions,” he said.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said many of the climate change initiatives being undertaken by Local Government throughout the state delivered a triple bottom line benefit to communities – social, environmental and financial.
Reef Authority CEO, Josh Thomas said climate change was the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef and coral reefs worldwide.
“The Reef Authority’s climate change position statement emphasises that only the strongest and fastest possible actions to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions will reduce the risks and limit the impacts of climate change on the Reef,” Mr Thomas said.
“Climate change is a global issue, requiring a global response, however, local and regional approaches are central to protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef, and we applaud the efforts our Reef Guardian Council partners are taking to accelerate actions to decrease emissions.”
The Reef Guardian Councils Climate change snapshot can be viewed online at www.gbrmpa.gov.au.
