The Plans will be practical documents guiding how Alpine Shire communities can respond to climate change. Their purpose is to:

• Provide an agreed vision for local climate action
• Identify practical steps for households, community groups, businesses and Council to reduce emissions, build resilience and protect the environment
• Ensure climate action is informed by local voices and priorities
• Support collaboration and coordination across the community

The Plans will be developed over three key stages:

Stage 1: Community engagement

Throughout the first half of 2026, we'll engage with the community to understand priorities, needs and concerns around climate change. This will include pop-up stalls, online engagement and meetings with key stakeholder groups.

Stage 2: Climate Action Plan development

We will hold community workshops in Bright, Myrtleford, Mount Beauty and Dinner Plain to co-design the Plans. This will ensure each Plan reflects the specific needs and context of that area. Residents are invited to register their interest in attending a workshop via the form above.

Stage 3: Community consultation on draft Plans

We will seek community feedback on the draft Climate Action Plans.

Finalise & launch Climate Action Plans

We will review community feedback and finalise the Plans. We’ll then support the community in putting the Plans into action - helping maintain momentum and accountability.

Climate change affects us all - but in different ways. That’s why we want to hear from everyone in the Alpine Shire, whether you live, work or spend time here.

We want to hear:

• Your concerns about climate change
• How climate change has impacted you
• What the Climate Action Plans should prioritise
• Your ideas for local action and solutions

Your feedback will directly shape the Plans, ensuring they reflect the whole community, regardless of background, knowledge or experience.

All survey responses and personal details will be kept confidential. Feedback will be analysed to identify common themes and priorities, helping to shape the draft Plans and guide the next stages of engagement.

The largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the Alpine Shire are:

• Road transport (34%)
• Agriculture (33%)
• Commercial electricity use (12.6%)
• Residential electricity use (10.5%)

This information comes from the Alpine Shire Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report 2021/22, which provides a local emissions baseline to inform climate action planning and decision-making.

The infographic below summmarises the report's key findings:

Climate action is already happening across Alpine Shire - here’s a snapshot of what households, businesses, community groups and Council are doing:

Energy:

• Strong uptake of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, with local adoption above the Victorian average
• Growing adoption of household battery storage, electric appliances and electric vehicles, reducing reliance on fossil fuels
• Council is working with State and Federal Government funding programs to install community-scale batteries across the Shire. As of January 2026, three batteries have been approved for funding, with installation planned for 2026, plus applications under assessment for a further two. These will provide backup power to essential facilities during outages and emergency events, and help stabilise the local electricity network

Waste:

• Over 7,000 tonnes of organic waste collected through Council's Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) service since July 2023
• A 40% reduction in general waste sent to landfill since FOGO was introduced
• Community-led education initiatives continue to build awareness around waste avoidance and reduction

Transport:

• Increasing uptake of electric vehicles (EVs), supported by expanding charging infrastructure and EV model availability
• Council and community groups continue to advocate to State and Federal Governments for increased EV charging coverage, helping EV owners travel to and from the Shire with confidence

Sustainable buildings:

• More energy-efficient and sustainable design principles are being incorporated into new builds and renovations, reducing operating costs and improving year-round comfort

Resilience:

• Council's Emergency Management team continues to promote the 72 Hour program, supporting residents and businesses to prepare for, respond to and recover from extreme weather events and emergencies
• In 2025, Council secured funding from AusNet to establish a 'resilience hub' at Saint Alban's Hall in Running Creek. The project will install solar PV and battery storage, enabling the facility to operate independently of the grid and provide a powered, accessible space to local residents during outages and emergencies.

Community groups:

• Local groups play a vital role in education, environmental protection, leadership and on-ground action across the Shire

What is Council doing?

Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is actively reducing its operational emissions. Council operations now run on 100% renewable electricity, supported by onsite solar, electric vehicles and energy-efficiency upgrades. Council has also upgraded more than 1,200 streetlights to LED, and introduced the FOGO collection service to reduce waste sent to landfill. Read more about our efforts.