Sustainability Projects

The City of Launceston is undertaking a water efficiency program to better understand water usage across high water use assets. Data loggers were installed on 20 water meters to log usage at 15 min intervals. Data will be used to understand water usage and patterns, compare against industry benchmarks and provide recommendations to prioritise sites for future detailed assessment and investigation.

The City of Launceston aims to reduce overall water consumption and explore the use of alternative water sources for servicing and maintaining Council assets (e.g. sporting grounds and recreational areas). 

Since 2012, the City of Launceston has been working hard to reduce fuel consumption across fleet vehicles and plant through implementing actions including the prioritisation of purchasing zero emission vehicles and plant, and fuel efficient and low tailpipe emission vehicles.

In 2018, Council installed Tasmania’s first publicly accessible EV fast charging station followed by two additional charging stations. Council purchased our first EV for our fleet in 2019 and a second added in 2020. In 2023, Council's first heavy EV (truck) was added to the fleet. 

Over the last three years, Council has commenced the replacement of minor plant with electric alternatives such as street cleaners, mowers, blowers and trimmers.

Supported by the City of Launceston, the Launceston Tool Library opened in 2022 and is located in Kings Meadows at the Men's Shed. The Tool Library promotes a circular economy by supporting community members to reduce waste and unnecessary purchases. The Tool Library enables members to borrow tools (power tools, hand tools, garden tools, sports and camping equipment etc.) for a short-term period. 

The Launceston Tool Library acquires its tools through donations from the public and resource recovery. By recovering items, the Tool Library is giving many products a second life.

Fun fact - The average power drill is used for only 13 minutes in its lifetime. Yet, many households have at least one in their garage.

Image: Council and Men's Shed members at the Tool Library opening day.

In 2020, the City of Launceston adopted a new policy for phasing out single use plastics at events, markets and other activities on Council-managed land, as well as at facilities like UTAS Stadium. Events such as Festivale and the Launceston Harvest Market have moved to compostable packaging, along with many local eateries and cafes.

Since 2008, energy efficiency projects have been rolled out across facilities of high energy usage including upgrading lighting to LEDs, installation of smart control systems and pump motor regulation. The City of Launceston replaced over 4,800 streetlights and public area lighting with LEDs.

In 2007, the City of Launceston commissioned Australia's first landfill gas capture project at the Launceston Waste Centre.

The system is capable of exporting approximately 18,000MW hours of energy each year, powering 2,500 homes in the local community and abating around 50,000 tCO₂e each year. The project generates Large-Scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) and was declared an Eligible Offset Project under the Emission Reduction Fund (ERF).

In 2023, a new landfill cell was integrated into the existing methane gas capture system increasing the gas capture capacity.

The City of Launceston's food organic and garden organic (FOGO) collection is the state's largest FOGO kerbside collection service. Our dedicated organics processing facility at the Launceston Waste Centre processes the region's FOGO waste and produces compost which provides ongoing value in soil enhancement and land rehabilitation. Compost produced from FOGO waste keeps the material in circulation and is a true example of the circular economy. 

The aerobic composting of organic waste reduces emissions while diverting nutrients from the site. Each tonne of organic waste disposed of as landfill and broken down by anaerobic processes releases approximately two tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) of greenhouse gases (mostly in the form of methane).

A key step in moving the City of Launceston towards zero emissions is transitioning away from fossil fuel gas powered facilities. The City of Launceston successfully transitioned the Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre (LAC), Council's largest energy-consuming facility, off gas to electrification.

The works included the installation of a rooftop 99kW solar array, a CO₂ domestic hot water heat pump, and two high-efficiency heat pumps for LAC heating. Since the transition, the LAC has achieved significant financial and environment goals, and showcased our commitment to emissions reduction.

Image: The two new 600kW heat pumps

The project reduced the Council's emissions footprint by approximately1,400-1,600 tCO2e, as well as reducing energy expenditure by $200,000, with a net savings of $650,000 over the following 12 month period. Furthermore, the project facilitated the employment of local contractors to maintain plant and equipment, whereas previously required interstate specialists.

Image: The new buffer tank.

In 2023, the City of Launceston opened an end of trip facility aimed at supporting staff to participate in sustainable and active transport (e.g. walking, running, or cycling) to and from work. The new facility aligns with the Councils' value of "going home safe and well", promoting better mental and physical health of employees. The facility is also accessibility inclusive. 

Sustainability features of the end of trip facility include:

• Foundational layer containing concrete excavations from the demolition phase
• Recycled car tyre flooring
• Windows and ventilation designed to promote natural heating/cooling and minimise demand for mechanical facilities
• Unisex facilities to reduce the overall footprint
• Sensor lighting
• Thermal and acoustic insulation.

Image: Staff lockers located in the City of Launceston end of trip facilities.

Image: Secure bike racks located in the City of Launceston end of trip facilities.

In 2018, the City of Launceston implemented a major fuel reduction project at the landfill site through the introduction of a GPS-based guidance system. The guidance system enables drivers to easily navigate heavy waste compactors to areas of the landfill cell that require compaction. This targeted operation of compaction has resulted in an annual reduction of 20,000 litres of fuel and 54 tCO2e.