Bold plan to cut carbon emissions
27 Nov 2009
VicUrban is planning to make Docklands more carbon and water neutral.
In a report to the Docklands Co-ordination Committee, acting environment director Karen Keegan said VicUrban had been working since July 2008 on a Docklands Environmental Innovation Strategy.
She said the strategy aimed at implementing best environmental practice in yet-to-be constructed buildings as well as introducing a number of precinct-wide alternative energy and water supply initiatives.
It is suggested that:
- A network of tri-generation power plants could supply low carbon electricity and heated and chilled water to Docklands buildings;
- Stormwater from Dudley St could be harvested and treated for re-use in Docklands; and
- A sewerage treatment plant could be located at the north of Docklands Park, feeding off the Dudley St sewer main.
Ms Keegan told the committee that if Dockland’s current use of power and water did not change, it would annually use 371 Gwh of power and and 2.1 GL of water.
However, with the suggested innovations, by the time Docklands is fully developed, water demand could be cut by up to 39 per cent and up to 26 per cent less carbon might be released into the atmosphere.
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