The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has reported that all 18 Local Councils invited to join a ground-breaking program aimed at helping their communities save on energy and power bills have signed up.
The OEH Sustainable Councils and Communities Program is a $1.7 million, four-year pilot program working with resource-constrained Councils to help them better understand their energy use so they can make the business case for efficiency or upgrade projects.
Sustainability Programs Director at OEH, Mick O’Flynn, said the program was funded by the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund to help Councils with limited budgets become ‘investment ready’ for energy saving projects previously beyond their reach.
“The program will also focus on cutting energy bills for households and businesses and improving the comfort of homes for the most vulnerable,” Mr O’Flynn said.
“Participating Councils will encourage their communities to apply for programs like the Appliance Replacement Offer and discount lighting upgrades for small businesses and households.”
He said some early actions from the program included Gwydir Council completing a clean energy strategy and allocating funds for 2019-20 to install light upgrades on Council facilities and Maitland Council embarking on an energy audit of its art gallery with a view to upgrading air-conditioning, installing solar power and improving lighting.
Councils in the pilot program are spread across the State including Upper Lachlan, Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Hay, Balranald, Lachlan, Warren, Coonamble, Liverpool Plains, Cessnock, Maitland, Nambucca, Gwydir, Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley, Kyogle, Fairfield and Campbelltown.
Mr O’Flynn said there was a great desire in these Local Government areas to be part of a sustainable future.
“This program will provide the support and expert advice to help turn that desire into reality,” he said.
