This week saw the City of Sydney’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 snap up a commendation at the Australia Award for Public Architecture. But what is the programme actually delivering? We chart its progress, one year since launch.
“Cities have a crucial role in reducing CO2 as they cover just 2 per cent of the Earth's land mass, but have more than 50 per cent of the population and produce 80 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions,” Lord mayor Clover Moore MP said. “The City has a goal of achieving a 70 per cent reduction in green house gas emissions by 2030. This will only be achieved with hard work - that's why we are forging ahead with a number of projects.”
The city has reduced energy use by 6 per cent overall by improving the efficiency of its libraries, pools, parks and community centres. Town Hall House showing improvement of approximately 30 per cent.
Plans are underway for a network of sustainable decentralized power generation for inner Sydney, called ‘Green Transformers’.
A low energy street lighting trial is underway in conjunction with Energy Australia. The City owns and maintains about 40 per cent of street lights across the LGA. The total number of streetlights account for 28 per cent of our total greenhouse pollution. If the trial is successful, low energy lights could reduce energy consumption by up to 50 per cent.
The next four years will also see $70 million invested into building a 200km cycle network across the city area. King Street cycleway is now open and work has begun on Bourke Street.
The new Surry Hills Library and Community Centre has opened, alongwith the restoration of the Paddington Reservoir Gardens.
Exertise engaged so far include Jan Gehl and a Design Advisory Panel chaired by architect Ken Maher, which has assessed more than 80 private sector buildings and 50 council projects to date.
"A major objective of our 20 year plan is to position Sydney as one of the leading green cities in the race to address global warming and to become a city with strong green credentials to attract future business and investment," Moore said.
