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Motorists in Fremantle can now breathe easier

Media Statement June 29, 2009

Motorists in Fremantle can now breathe easier

From Wednesday, the City of Fremantle takes another step toward becoming Australia’s second carbon neutral city as motorists’ parking fees help the City switch to 100 per cent GreenPower in its buildings and streetlights.

THINK of environmentally friendly types of transport and most people would list walking, cycling and catching either the bus or train as the best options, but now motorists in Fremantle can rest assured knowing their parking fees are contributing to a new carbon neutral strategy.

The strategy will enable the City of Fremantle to switch to 100 per cent “green” power to be used for street-lighting, to power the Town Hall administration building, the Fremantle Leisure Centre, Fremantle Arts Centre, Queensgate multi-storey car park and in the City’s commercial properties from this Wednesday, July 1.

Having measured and monitored its carbon emissions for the past few years, the City of Fremantle was aware most were being generated by using coal-fired electricity.

The decision was made to switch to GreenPower which is electricity sourced from renewable sources like the wind and sun to generate clean power and move the City of Fremantle closer toward becoming completely carbon neutral.

Once green energy is created it’s given a renewable energy certificate (known as a REC) and listed on an independently audited, national trading market where buyers can source it. 

“The City of Fremantle will be buying RECs through Synergy,” City of Fremantle Sustainability Officer Alex Hyndman said.

He added that the City’s purchasing of GreenPower from Synergy would annually reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 6,800 tonnes.

“It’s all about reducing humanity’s impact on the climate,” he said.

While this is a big step forward for the environment, motorists to Fremantle won’t notice any difference at street-side meters or in multi-storey centres.

All the “magic” happens behind the scenes with some of the parking revenue going toward buying clean, green energy for use in the City’s buildings and commercially tenanted properties – some 119 electricity accounts.

Mr Hyndman said that while many people might think it was an expensive and difficult process for the City to put these changes into place, in actual fact it wasn’t.

“Any organisation or household can sign up for GreenPower.  It only takes about two minutes on Synergy’s website.” he said.

For more details: Media and Public Relation Officer Merryn McLean on 9432 9827 or 0405 307 141 or email merrynm@fremantle.wa.gov.au