Reduce your Energy Use

Energy is at the heart of the climate challenge, contributing to 19% of the Augusta Margaret River community's emissions. 

Fortunately, it is also one of the key solutions and luckily in Australia, we have access to the cheapest home energy in the world - our rooftop solar. 

Making small changes to the way we use electricity can make a big difference, including:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change
• Reducing your power bill
• Contributing to community wellbeing

We have included some useful tips and resources below to help our community continue to do amazing things and care for our place.   

Examples of what the Shire is doing

In 2023, the Shire slashed emissions, bringing them well below the target set in the Climate Action Plan. Some of the key actions the Shire has done to reduce emissions is:

• Signing up for 100% renewables for our main buildings
• Making upgrades to lighting, pumps and water heating at the Recreation Centre, and switching from gas to electricity
• Working with Carbon Neutral to measure, reduce and offset our carbon emissions through the Biodiverse Reforestation Carbon Offsets (BRCOs) project. BRCO's remove CO2 from the atmosphere everyday and the project helps to restore the environment. With one BRCO equalling one tonne of CO2-e, we have permanently surrendered 393 BRCO's in 2021-22, and 376 BRCO's in 2022-23. 
• Making energy efficiency upgrades to a number of our facilities to reduce emissions through a federal grant. 

Looking ahead to 2030, we will also:

• Lobby State Government to adopt the 2019 National Construction Code and future upgrades to the code
• Undertake a cost benefit analysis of converting streetlights to LED
• Support the transition to all electric buildings
• Encourage the community to retrofit with efficient electric appliances