Solar savings on the way for Town Hall
Significant energy savings are on the way for Horsham Town Hall after a 70-kilowatt solar energy system was installed on its roof last month.
It is one of six public buildings in the municipality set for either LED lighting upgrades or solar installations as part of Sustainability Victoria’s Local Government Energy Saver Program.
In the next few weeks, a 28-kilowatt solar system and 12kW LED lighting system will be installed at the Mibus Centre Library complex. Horsham Aquatic Centre will have a 100-kilowatt array installed on its roof.
Dadswells Bridge Hall, Mitre Hall and Taylors Lake Hall will also benefit from the initiative, which is jointly unded by Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC) and Sustainability Victoria.
Infrastructure Director John Martin said the buildings were chosen following an audit of council facilities with high energy use.
“Council is pleased that we can look to offset the power costs of three significant community assets, as well as support three community halls to run their operations more cost effectively,” Mr Martin said.
“Local contractors are being used to carry out the installation and the public will be informed of additional installations as they occur,” he said.
Horsham Town Hall’s Performing Arts Program Manager Shana Miatke said the new solar array would help the venue reduce its costs and manage its energy use more efficiently.
“These opportunities supported by Sustainability Victoria enable our Council to reduce its carbon emissions, continue our commitment to undertake Council works sustainably and seek to reduce energy costs to Council,” Ms Miatke said.
Sustainability Victoria Manager for Regions, Communities & Local Government Luke Wilkinson said the Local Government Energy Saver upgrades would benefit both Council and local residents.
“Sustainability Victoria has had great support from Horsham Rural City Council as part of our Local Government Energy Saver Program, which assists councils to reduce costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency upgrades, while improving facilities for local communities.”
“To date, we’ve worked collaboratively with 22 regional councils across Victoria to support energy-saving upgrades on a total of 172 community buildings from libraries to swimming pools.”
