Alpine Shire Council is in the very first stages of developing a Carbon Offset Policy to determine how they will continue to balance their greenhouse gas emissions generated in their corporate services and activities.
Council invites community members to help develop the Policy by contributing their opinions and perspectives on appropriate methods to offset carbon in line with the Alpine Shire Climate Action Plan 2025-2029.
The Climate Action Plan reflects Council's ongoing focus on responsible environmental management, recognising the importance of taking practical steps to respond to the climate challenges facing.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, emphasised that, due to a number of initiatives that have contributed to reducing corporate emissions, Council has been net-zero since 2023.
"Our community can be proud that we are one of the leaders in climate response in the local government sector and that we are in a position to encourage others, from individuals to other organisations, to follow our example," she said.
"Whilst we have progressed on a number of actions, such as installing solar on our facilities, upgrading streetlights across our region to LED technology, and including electric vehicles in our fleet, we do not currently have a policy that describes how we will continue to achieve net-zero.
Cr Nicholas said that, since 2023, Council has achieved net-zero by offsetting residual emissions, such as those from heavy, diesel-powered machinery, through investing in the planting of legally protected native forests in Australia via Greenfleet.
"Offsets are defined to ensure they are effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," she said.
"However, we want to develop a policy that is informed by our communities so that we know that our actions can be a gain for Alpine Shire reflecting what you want us to do for our region."
This initial engagement will contribute towards the development of a draft Carbon Offset Policy, which will then be put back out for community members to review and provide further feedback later in the year.
Community members are encouraged to have their say by:
- Completing a survey online via Engage Alpine or in-person at one of the Alpine libraries in Bright, Mount Beauty, and Myrtleford
- Attending an upcoming market in Mount Beauty and Bright in March
- Submitting a written contribution by emailing info@alpineshire.vic.gov.au
Community members can access more information about the development of Council's Carbon Offset Policy and complete the online survey by visiting: https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/carbon-offset-policy
Representatives from Council's Strategic Planning and Sustainability teams will be attending markets in both the Kiewa and Ovens Valleys:
Mount Beauty Market
Saturday, 7 March 2026
9am - 1pm
Hydro Park, Mount Beauty
Make it, Bake it, Grow it Market in Bright
Saturday, 21 March 2026
9am - 1pm
Howitt Park, Bright
Definitions of greenhouse gas emissions can be found on page 33 of Council's Corporate Climate Action Plan 2025-29: https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/community-services/sustainability/corporate-sustainability