Ag Campus News

July 1, 2024 - New construction at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus is supporting a shift away from gas consumption, in line with a state-wide transition to sustainable energy alternatives.

Phase 1 of the electrification of Dookie was implemented in 2023 and will reduce gas consumption at the campus by 70 per cent.

Further development of the $21 million Dookie Campus Student Accommodation project, co-funded by the Victorian Government, will also be completed in line with the phase out of gas in new construction.

The building will be all electric and geared towards reducing energy consumption while maximising thermal comfort for occupants, with electricity required to be procured from renewable sources.

University of Melbourne Dean of Science Professor Moira O’Bryan was pleased with the developments underway at Dookie.

“Healthy and sustainable agriculture is pivotal to our society, and it is fitting that Dookie campus, our home of agricultural research and teaching, is a leader in transitioning to renewable energy options,” she said.

The University is developing a long-term program to replace gas infrastructure with electric alternatives powered by renewable energy.

The Dookie electrification process is explored in the 2023 Sustainability Report: Partnering for Progress.

This is the second report against ambitious targets announced in the University’s Sustainability Plan 2030 and details progress made towards achieving institutional targets of carbon neutrality by 2025, and climate positive status by 2030.

The report also covers the University’s annual operational environmental performance and highlights the University’s impact in sustainability and climate action through its core teaching and learning and research activities.

University of Melbourne Acting Chief Operating Officer Ms Katerina Kapobassis said the University of Melbourne is committed to embedding sustainability across all aspects of the institution.

“We know that reducing our carbon footprint is a top priority for many of our staff and students,” Ms Kapobassis said.

“The 2023 Sustainability Report outlines the strong foundation we have built at the University of Melbourne and, while there is plenty of work still ahead of us, we expect to see these initiatives and opportunities yield many more positive results as we head into 2025.

“It is our responsibility as a university to be championing sustainable operations, leading sustainability research and teaching sustainability to our students.”

The University of Melbourne ranked ninth best in the world in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Sustainability Rankings, demonstrating the positive results of sustainability efforts to date.

Source: https://www.unimelb.edu.au/