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Mildura: from Climate Emergency to Rural Innovation
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Mildura is a rural city in the north-west of Victoria, sitting on the banks of the Murray River. It represents nearly ten percent of the state’s land area, serving around 53,000 residents across a diverse multicultural community.
Spurred by our community, Mildura Rural City Council was the 30th local government to declare a climate emergency in Victoria and 94th in Australia - embracing the need to accelerate climate action and strengthen collaboration in Mildura, the Mallee region and beyond. 
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“Climate change is already impacting our region. Our farmers know we are experiencing warmer temperatures, more intense rainfall and more frequent droughts, dust storms, heatwaves and bushfires, and they are adapting.” Councillor Helen Healy 
Mildura Rural City Council and our community are working closely to counter the pressures that climate changes are already placing on our people, infrastructure and services.
We have committed to a wide range of ambitious climate goals and actions including
These are amongst the goals we set out in our 5-yearly Community Climate Response Plan, which is overseen by a Community Climate Emergency Advisory Group. The plan includes community-owned climate change actions across the themes of health, waste, farming, education, and the natural and urban environments. |
Rethinking the way we work
The climate emergency has made us rethink the way we operate. Practical actions to cut fossil fuels from energy and transport have included:
The climate emergency has made us rethink the way we operate. Practical actions to cut fossil fuels from energy and transport have included:
- an electrified fleet and expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the region
- installing 1 megawatt of rooftop solar on all viable council buildings
- powering all council buildings and streetlights with 100% renewable electricity.
Declaring a climate emergency is not simply an environmental risk to be managed, it can be a business case for doing things better. We have coordinated efforts to reduce waste and divert it from landfill through:
- composting food and garden organic waste
- separating glass and other recyclable waste streams for reuse
- smarter investments that have also improved financial sustainability, helping us to continue providing services in a rate capped environment.
Driving innovation
Declaring a climate emergency can change an organisation’s appetite for innovation. Mildura is leading in a number of ways.
Declaring a climate emergency can change an organisation’s appetite for innovation. Mildura is leading in a number of ways.
- We've reduced our operational emissions by 70% (excluding landfill).
- The Mildura eco-village showcases practical passive design, water-saving and energy efficient retrofits. We support Mildura’s SmartFarm to lead horticultural research and smart technology that combats climate and water challenges.
- We are also working beyond our geographical confines with other councils and regional alliances to share knowledge, best practice, achieve economies of scale and greater results.
“One of our biggest lessons has been the value of collaboration [such as] being part of Climate Emergency Australia. Despite our geographical location we’ve been able to connect with councils across Australia and New Zealand, share knowledge and stay aligned with best practice. [This has enabled] actions that will benefit future generations and ensure we leave behind a beautiful and habitable place to live and work.
Together we can make a real difference.”
Councillor Jodi Ewings
