Hawkesbury City Council has today launched the Hawkesbury City Solar Program, which will install 500kW in total solar power to generate electricity for 12 Council sites and provide cost savings for the community.
The new solar systems are being installed at sites including the Deerubbin Centre in Windsor, the Waste Management Facility at McGraths Hill, Wastewater Treatment Plants in South Windsor, the Council Depot in Wilberforce, Windsor Function Centre, OASIS Fitness and Aquatic Centre in South Windsor.
New solar panels will also be installed at the South Windsor Family Centre, where the launch was held.
The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Barry Calvert welcomed community members to the launch as well as Ms Robyn Preston, State Member for Hawkesbury, Councillor Amanda Kotlash, Hawkesbury Sustainability Committee members, representatives from Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, Richmond North Public School Vice-Captain Jessica Hayter, and Ben Henderson, CEO of the Green Group, the organisation which is installing the solar panels.
“I’m delighted to announce the launch of the Hawkesbury City Solar Program that Council is rolling out in conjunction with Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, also known as WSROC,” the Mayor said.
“I’m here today in two capacities – both as the Mayor of Hawkesbury and President of WSROC, and I’m proud that the Hawkesbury is paving the way for Western Sydney to pursue further solar investment.
“Our solar project highlights the crucial role local government can play in driving initiatives,” he said.
“We are taking the lead on climate change in our community to help create a sustainable Hawkesbury while also providing cost savings for the community.
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“The Hawkesbury City Solar Program is being launched here today, in the presence of many happy pre-schoolers, because the South Windsor Family Centre will also benefit from this program by having some solar panels installed,” Councillor Calvert said.
“By the time the children at South Windsor Family Centre have grown up, this project will have saved Hawkesbury City Council $4 million in energy bills and prevented 17,400 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from going into the atmosphere.
“This is an important step towards a more sustainable future and there will be further projects to come.”
Council is continuing to exploring more options to address energy sustainability and affordability, including:
- Ongoing energy efficiency upgrades across council-owned facilities
- Developing an energy affordability program for low-income households and
- Boosting renewable energy investment.
Council is also working with WSROC on the Light Years Ahead Energy Efficiency Initiative. The project is coordinated by WSROC to help Western Sydney councils invest in energy saving and renewable technologies such as solar panels, LED street lighting, insulation and energy saving appliances.
The Green Globe Award-winning program has already upgraded 20,000 Western Sydney street lights, with projected savings of over $29.4 million in energy bills and 140,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the lights.
As part of the project, Hawkesbury City Council has already replaced over 550 mercury vapour lights in various suburbs with LEDs – which is over 15% of the total lights in Hawkesbury Local Government Area. It is the biggest street lighting replacement project NSW has ever seen and will have a great effect on reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar display at the Hawkesbury Show
Come along to Council’s tent at the Hawkesbury Show from Friday, 10 May to Sunday, 12 May at Clarendon to see the information display about the Hawkesbury City Solar program. There will also be giveaways as part of the solar display. Find the Council tent at its new location for 2019 behind the Grandstand.
