THE Hepburn Shire Council has received a grant of $60,000 to undertake a feasibility study on the conversion of heavy fleet vehicles to biodiesel as the region’s fuel source.
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Local Government of Victoria, which is part of the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure provided the funding.
Through the Central Highlands Regional Procurement Excellence Network (RPEN), Hepburn Shire Council will lead the project with neighbouring Golden Plains and Pyrenees Shire Councils.
This collaborative approach will provide an opportunity for rural councils to work together for best value outcomes for their local communities.
Three councils working together reduces the costs and risks of the development of a feasibility study and implementation plan.
The feasibility study will look at current biodiesel sources and availability such as soy, palm and vegetable oil, animal fats and used cooking oils and recommend the most sustainable source and whether conversion is viable.
Consistency of supply of biodiesel sources will also be investigated during the feasibility study.
Hepburn Shire Local Sustainability Network representative councillor Sebastian Klein said it was great that council is looking at ways of saving money and the environment.
“We want to see part of the analysis before a decision is made and want to make sure that it is the good biodiesel and not the bad,” he said.
“Council wants to ensure the biodiesel is made from credible waste feed stocks that doesn’t impact on food security.”
