Connect Coliban
As our region continues to change and grow, we know the demand for water and sewer services will steadily increase. That’s why we’re preparing for the future now and committing to a more sustainable approach.
The process of delivering water and sewage services to our region is energy intensive and we have a responsibility to our planet, and current and future customers, to ensure we are adapting our operations for our changing climate.
Our pathway to net zero is our plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Thanks to a combination of carbon reduction offset projects that will maximise our land and assets for carbon sequestration, investment in renewable energy, the purchase of green power, and one-percenters like transitioning our fleet to electric vehicles, we’re on track to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
As well as reducing emissions, it also makes good business sense by reducing our operating costs over time. As a customer-funded organisation, we know that’s important.
An increased investment in renewable energy sources is an essential part of our carbon journey.
We’ve set ourselves the target of shifting to 100% renewable energy by 2025. Once achieved our carbon emissions will be reduced by 90%.
Climate resilience is now a key pillar of our corporate strategy and is embedded in everything that we do.
Find out how we are taking action:
We’ve completed solar arrays on physical assets across our service region totalling close to 300 kilowatts. During daylight hours, these arrays will fulfill a significant percentage of energy demand.
Plans are in place to install more solar panels in 2024, to provide a further 750 kilowatts of solar capacity.
We’ve invested in the Zero Emissions Water project in partnership with other Victorian Water Corporations, providing access to renewable electricity from the largest solar farm in the state at Kiamal.
We’re planting native tree species on Coliban Water-owned land to create carbon sequestration offsets, which are used to offset our emissions.
With our biggest program of investment now in the planning stages, we’re working hard to design carbon out of all of our future infrastructure design and capital works delivery projects.
Climate resilience is now a key pillar of our corporate strategy and we’ll continue to investigate opportunities across our region:
We’re exploring all opportunities including switching our staff vehicle fleet to electric.
Delivering water and sewage services is an energy-intensive process. That’s why we’ve been working to reduce our carbon emissions for many years.
We’ve made good progress already through a range of innovative projects and partnerships, which combined are creating our pathway to net zero emissions.
In 2030, we will have reduced annual carbon emissions by 33,694 tonnes.* The equivalent of removing 12,000 cars from Victoria's roads.
As our climate changes and becomes drier, we are improving how we reclaim and reuse the by-products of our wastewater, particularly biosolids and recycled water.
We’re embedding circular design into new infrastructure and finding innovative ways to add value to 'waste' streams.
In July 2022, we were proud to be a founding-member of the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration, to bring local businesses, community organisations, households and schools together for three years of climate change action.
The launch of the city’s pathway to zero climate-changing emissions by 2030 was launched at the Greater Bendigo Climate Summit in May 2023.
*From the average annual emissions for the five-year period from 1 July 2011 to 30 July 2016 calculated in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (t CO2e)
We acknowledge and respect Victoria Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria's land and waters, their unique ability to care for country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to being a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTIQA+ communities and their families.
1300 363 200
Email coliban@coliban.com.au
National relay service 133 677 then ask for 1300 363 200
