Monitoring our changing environment
Each year, Council invests resources into futureproofing our environment and this means monitoring
and assessing changes to our environment. The
monitoring in our region includes the refinement
of processes and facilities to align with Australia’s
adherence to reducing our carbon emissions and
carbon footprint. We ensure that each of Council’s
assets including our Waste Management Facilities
and landfill sites meet stringent guidelines and are
compliant with relevant legislation. By ensuring our
greenhouse gas emissions are within recommended
guidelines, Council can ensure the sustainable future
and ecological footprint of our region. Both the 2013-14
and 2014-15 Carbon Footprint Reports were completed
during the year and the 2015-16 Carbon Footprint
Report will be completed in 2016-17. These three
reports will provide trends on Council’s greenhouse
gas emissions and inform future strategies.
Leading the way in sustainability
Council continually identifies processes and procedures
that can minimise our ecological footprint and ensure
the energy efficiency and carbon abatement of our
work processes. This includes planning for the future
viability of our biodiversity with a strong focus on our
Open Space Strategy and the use of green assets to
offset Council’s environmental footprint.
The new Toowoomba City Library completed this
financial year has a number of important in-built
sustainability features that will ensure energy
efficiency and sustainability. These include glazing
to the exterior of the building to reduce solar
heat gain that significantly reduces the energy
costs for keeping the facility at a consistent,
optimal temperature and humidity control for the
preservation of resources. LED lights installed at
the facility have also provided energy e