Mildura, Shepparton: La Trobe University campuses the first in Victoria to achieve net zero emissions

A university with campuses in north-west Victoria and the Goulburn Valley has become the first in the state to hit net zero. Watch the video.

A university with campuses in Mildura and Shepparton has become the first in Victoria to officially hit net zero.

La Trobe University announced on Wednesday it had become carbon neutral across two of its five campuses as part of its $75 million commitment to reducing emissions.

Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO said he was proud of what the university been able to achieve in such a short time.

“We announced our ambitious plan less than three years ago, in August 2019, because not only was it the right thing to do, it also made good economic and environmental sense,” Professor Dewar said.

“I’m thrilled to announce that – through good planning, innovative thinking and a firm focus on achieving our goals – two of our regional campuses have achieved their target several months ahead of schedule.”

Professor Dewar said it was important La Trobe led by example on critical issues such as climate change.

“Many organisations have bold targets for reducing their emissions – but moving from ambition to action can be where the real challenge lies,” Professor Dewar said.

Mildura Rural City Council environment and sustainability councillor, Jason Modica, said the achievement was a significant step forward for the community in its ongoing work to slash the region’s carbon emissions.

“It’s great to see other large and respected organisations in our region doing great work in this area, and along with our own response to the climate emergency, I think we’re really putting our region on the map in terms of creating a more sustainable community,” Cr Modica said.

The rest of La Trobe’s regional campuses are expected to reach the milestone by the end of the year with the city’s campus expected to hit it by 2029.

A range of projects have been implemented on each campus including the installation of rooftop solar panels, energy efficient LED lights, mechanical system efficiency upgrades, and batteries to store solar energy.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said the achievement was a positive step towards addressing the need for urgent climate emergency action.

“Greater Shepparton City Council is working consistently to help promote and improve the climate and sustainability of our region and it is fantastic to see organisations across the municipality understand this need for change to maintain a safe climate for all,” Cr O’Keeffe said.

In 2021, La Trobe generated enough renewables across all campuses to power all regional campuses for the entire year.

Today in Mildura, 78 per cent of the campus is self-powered. In Shepparton, the solar panels alone supply 36 per cent of the campus’ daytime energy use.

Initiatives implemented on each campus include:

Mildura:

At peak operation the campus is 100 per cent powered from onsite renewables

Installed a 130 Kw solar system, enough to power 25 houses

Replaced 800 light fittings with energy efficient LEDs – 100 per cent of campus lighting is now LED

Installed Tesla Power Wall System to store solar generated on-site

The campus is more than 65 per cent powered from onsite renewables

Chiller replaced with energy efficient chiller

Installed high efficiency chilled water pumps and Variable Speed Drives

Heating, ventilation and cooling Building Management System optimisation

In Shepparton:

Installed 115 solar panels, which is enough to power more than 20 hours

Replaced 807 light fittings with energy efficient LEDs – 100 per cent of campus lighting is now LED

Has an organics pick-up and processing system, which benefits local farmers

Heating, ventilation and cooling Building Management System optimisation