Warrnambool's newly declared climate emergency was called into question just minutes after it was voted on when city councillors were asked to consider a new power deal which would likely be sourced from coal.
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In a bid to make cost savings, councillors were asked at last Monday's public meeting to appoint Procurement Australia to act as an agent to secure a three-year-deal for the city's gas and some electricity supplies because the current deal is due to expire next year.
It follows a move by the council last month to join 47 other councils to source another portion of its electricity from green energy as part of a power purchase agreement - a deal which is expected cut costs.
When asked by Cr Peter Hulin if the electricity component would be sourced from renewables, Director of City Infrastructure Scott Cavanagh said it was likely there would be renewables but there may not be because they were looking for the best price.
Mr Cavanagh said the deal bought some time for council to try and convert its facilities to solar, or perhaps geothermal generation.
"We have made a specific purchase for the first time for a similar contract of the green power, but this could be a combination of green power or coal power," he said.
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Cr Sue Cassidy said it had been proven that buying in a volume tender could bring savings.
"We usually find the first year to be more expensive and then it drops down. We are selecting a three-year contract so we can get better rates in the second and third year," she said.
Cr Kylie Gaston said it was a good example of economies of scale at work, and the council had made efficiencies and cost savings under its Green Monitor Energy Reporting system.
Cr Hulin said that in light of the climate emergency motion the council had adopted, it needed to show leadership on the issue.
"I thought we were trying to save the planet not save money," he said.
"I think it's another opportunity for us to look at everything that we are buying if it is this emergency - I have no doubt that the planet is groaning - but if we don't show the leadership to try and do something about it, it could be a word starting with 'h' we could be accused of being.
"I understand that we have to look at costs of running our council but there are two costs - there are costs to the environment and there are costs to our back pocket, and we as a community and the human race have to work out which one's more important."
His comments drew applause from the crowd.
Cr David Owen said he couldn't agree with Cr Hulin more. "He just stole my thunder. We have just signed off on a climate emergency, however some changes take a little bit longer than we realise," he said.
"It would be good to source all this from green energy and perhaps we need to look at that compared with what we bring forward."
Mayor Tony Herbert said these things could take time to turn. "It's like turning around the Titanic," he said.
Crs Hulin and Owen voted against the motion.
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