By Kerri-Anne
GREENS Brimbank City councillor Miles Dymott has welcomed council’s support to investigate alternative fuels for its fleet after he moved a notice of motion eight months ago.
Council moved officers’ recommendations to investigate the use of alternative fuels and to carry out a cost analysis benefit of any changes to the type of diesel fuel used by council’s current diesel-powered vehicles.
Council also moved to continue an annual review of the type of vehicles chosen for council, taking into account any changes in the types that offer alternative fuels, improved environmentally friendly and cost-effective vehicles.
Cr Dymott said he would like to see council use more four-cylinder vehicles and hybrid cars.
“I think this is a step in the right direction,” he said.
“It would be nice if we could do more.”
According to the report tabled at Tuesday night’s council meeting, council operates 140 passenger and light commercial vehicles, of which about 60 per cent are commercial vehicles and 40 per cent are passenger vehicles.
Council also operates 75 light-heavy trucks to deliver a variety of services, such as waste management, parks services and roads maintenance.
“I’m still keen to get the trucks running on natural gases,” Cr Dymott said.
“It doesn’t appear to be practical at the moment, but with technology advancing so quickly, I’m hoping to see that in the not too distant future.”
One of the options to be considered by council is to purchase manufacturer-fitted LPG vehicles, with council currently having three LPG vehicles (two utilities and one sedan) within its current fleet.
According to the report, dual fuel versions have proven to be more efficient and cost-effective to date with fuel consumption figures on identical trials indicating that the latest technology dual-fuel vehicles are using up to 20 per cent less LPG than the dedicated LPG versions.
Cr Dymott said the investigation into the alternative fuels will go hand in hand with another council officer recommendation — which was a result of another notice of motion he moved eight months ago — for council to consider procuring electricity that is generated from sustainable sources (renewable energy) for use in council operations as part of the 2008-09 budget considerations.
He said the two recommendations mean council is on the way to meeting the greenhouse target it has set.
