Council achieves goal of zero-net emissions by 2025
Published on 28 October 2025
Mount Alexander Shire Council is proud to announce they’ve achieved their commitment to reach zero-net emissions for Council operations by 2025.
This is a touchpoint in a journey that begun almost six years ago, when Council, informed by immense community advocacy, declared a climate emergency at its December 2019 Meeting of Council.
From there, Council developed and implemented the Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025, which detailed the actions needed to meet this ambitious target.
By following the roadmap, Council has significantly reduced its operational emissions and has invested in programs to offset our residual emissions. This includes a number of local initiatives, meeting their net zero commitment and honouring the legacy of the climate declaration.
Council’s Mayor, Cr Rosie Annear, said that Council is very proud to reach zero-net emissions.
“We know that our community is incredibly passionate about the environment, sustainability and climate action.
“It’s in response to their enthusiasm and advocacy that a previous Council declared a climate emergency and voluntarily set the goal to reach zero-net emissions by 2025, along with a number of other actions detailed first in our Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality, and further embedded in our Climate Change Strategy.”
Some of the actions undertaken so far include:
- switching to 100% renewable energy to power Council buildings and lighting
- beginning to transition Council’s fleet of vehicles and equipment to electric
- capping, rehabilitating and flaring gas from the Castlemaine landfill site (our biggest emissions emitter)
- procuring contractor service providers that align with net-zero goals
- creating a thriving low-carbon culture across Council.
“We’ve taken a well-rounded and innovative approach to climate action,” Mayor Annear added.
“We’re being mindful of the need to remain financially sustainable, while also ensuring our commitments to climate and community are being honoured.
“We’ve tried to embed climate considerations into everything we do at Council, as well as prioritising the support of impactful local initiatives.
“This is not something we can do alone. We know that our communities need to be included, empowered and supported as part of Council’s climate change response, and that the expertise and passion in our shire is one of our greatest resources.
“When establishing our carbon offset program, we made the decision to prioritise local projects, then Victorian and national projects.
“This local approach means we’re putting resources back into our community and growing local capacity, as well as delivering on our commitment.”
Projects supported through the local carbon offset program include:
- Growing Abundance Harvest Program – Castlemaine Community House
- Community Composting Expansion and Sustainability – YIMBY
- Wetlands Carbon Drawdown Project – Castlemaine Steiner School
- Guildford Campus Biodiversity Carbon Capture Proposal – Campbells Creek Primary School.
“Along the way, we’ve also been tracking and reporting on our progress, ensuring that we have ongoing community collaboration, knowledge, skills and resource-sharing, and that we’re continually making progress,” said Mayor Annear.
“Thank you and well done to everyone involved – community members, Councillors and Council staff, past and present.
“This is a huge achievement and a moment to celebrate, but it’s not the end. We’re on this journey for the long-run and we’ll continue to improve and increase our climate action in partnership with our community.”
Learn more at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/zero-emissions-shire.