Addressing the climate emergency through upgrades to our local community centres. 

Yarra City Council is working to address the climate emergency through new upgrades to Richmond Multicultural Children’s Centre.

Council is investing more than $27,000 to improve sustainability and energy efficiency at the site with new solar and electric appliances. The joint project, which received $12,500 in funding from the Victorian Government, will also help local childcare operator Sparkways reduce their overheads with lower electricity bills and expenses.

Yarra Mayor Cr Sophie Wade described the initiative as a real and tangible way in which Council is addressing the climate emergency.

“Initiatives like this will help us achieve our goal of net zero in the Yarra community by 2030 and, importantly, improve the long-term financial sustainability of community groups across Yarra,” Cr Wade said.

“Yarra City Council is proud to partner with the Victorian Government to deliver this project and work with local community groups to help reduce their energy consumption and save money.”

Upgrades to the Richmond Multicultural Children’s Centre include:
o 16kW solar 
o Induction (electric) cooktop replacing gas cooker 
o Electric hot water system replacing gas hot water system

The initiative was one of seven across the City of Yarra which received funding under the Victoria’s Government’s Community Climate Change and Energy Action program. Some of the other include:
• Solar installation at Walker St Community Kindergarten 
• Energy efficient facility upgrades and Solar installation at Clifton Childcare Cooperative