City up, down on green credentials

John Van Klaveren
GEELONG has been both congratulated and criticised for its green credentials in the same week.
The region ranked as Australia’s second-least sustainable city in an Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) 2010 Sustainable Cities Index.
But Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor lauded Geelong’s efforts in an Energy Saver Incentive (ESI) scheme for buying and using energy-efficient products and services.
The ACF index ranked each of Australia’s 20 largest cities according to environmental performance, quality of life and resilience to change.
While Darwin placed in the top position as Australia’s most sustainable city, Geelong placed second last, above only Perth.
The report compared factors such as air quality, ecological footprint, green buildings, water, health, transport, density, employment, education and food production.
ACF executive director Don Henry said poor marks were the result of wastefulness, booming populations and poor planning.
“Australia’s major cities consistently rate among the most liveable but liveability is not the same as sustainability,” Dr Henry said.
“Australians use more water and energy and own more cars per person than the citizens of almost any other developed country.”
But Mr Batchelor said Geelong’s participation in the energy saving scheme was “exceptional”.
“City of Greater Geelong has contributed significantly to helping cut Victoria’s energy emissions by recording more than 27,000 ESI activities – the most of any of the regional areas.”
The Energy Saver Incentive offers consumers discounts or other incentives on energy efficiency products including weather sealing, lighting, heating, hot water systems and double-glazing windows.