• Start year: 2010
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: In operation

CitySwitch is a national energy management program led
by local government in capital cities that supports organizations
who implement energy-efficiency actions. Up to
$9000 in funding is available per organization (depending
on tenancy size) applicable to the cost of a NABERS
energy assessment. Metropolitan Melbourne currently has
144 signatories and achieved a total kg/CO2-e savings of
13,489,435 in FY 2011/12.
Participating organizations: City of Sydney

• Start year: 2009
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: In operation

The 1200 Buildings Program is catalyzing retrofit of 1200
commercial buildings by 2020. The retrofits will improve energy
and water efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
build economic resilience and increase resilience against the
expected effects of predicted climate change. The program
also aims to support the delivery of 400 megawatts of distributed
power generation in the municipality. The world’s
first Environmental Upgrade Agreements for existing commercial
buildings have been signed in Melbourne enabling
secure private finance to flow to building owners and be
repaid through a statutory charge levied by City of Melbourne.
Participating organizations: Sustainable Melbourne Funde

• Start year: 2011
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: In operation

The City of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy seeks to address
the impacts of urban heat island effect, loss of biodiversity
and protect against future vulnerability by providing a
robust strategic framework for the evolution and longevity of
Melbourne’s urban forest

• Start year: 2012
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: Completed

The City of Melbourne has begun testing a white roof on
a council building. The white roof reflects light and keeps
the building up to 4 degrees cooler on extreme heat days.
The trial has been conducted in partnership with Melbourne
University and is being used as a showcase to encourage
other building owners to install white roofs.
Participating organizations: Melbourne University

• Start year: 2011
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: In operation

The installation of a stormwater harvesting project in Fitzroy
Gardens is part of the City of Melbourne’s Total Watermark
strategy. The strategy is improving water security across the
city by reducing flood risks, reducing watercourse pollution,
and improving drought resilience in the city’s parks and gardens.
The Fitzroy Gardens project will see 121 million liters
of recycled water used in place of potable water per year.