Blue Mountains City Council has installed solar power and/or batteries across nine Council-owned community facilities, helping to reduce energy costs, cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen the resilience of important community infrastructure.
The project has delivered solar panels and/or battery storage at facilities across the Blue Mountains, including Council headquarters and Chambers in Katoomba, the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Mid Mountains Community Centre, Hazelwood Childcare Centre, Katoomba Children’s Cottage, Katoomba Civic Centre Arcade, Knapsack Park Clubhouse, Springwood Depot Mechanics Workshop and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre.
Solar panels at the facilities will generate renewable electricity for use on site, while battery systems will store electricity for use when solar generation is lower or during interruptions to the electricity supply.
The battery storage also provides an important resilience benefit, helping selected essential services remain operational during power outages.
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill OAM said the completion of the project was a practical investment in both the environmental and financial sustainability of Council facilities.
“This project is a great example of how we can make our community infrastructure more sustainable, more resilient and less expensive to operate,” Greenhill said.
“Across nine Council facilities, we have installed new solar power systems and or battery storage to generate and store renewable energy on site. This includes three facilities with new solar systems, three facilities with new solar and battery systems, and three facilities where batteries have been added to existing solar installations.
“These upgrades will help us make better use of renewable energy, reduce our reliance on grid electricity and provide additional resilience when the electricity network is disrupted.
“At the same time, reducing the amount of electricity we need to purchase from the grid means lower operating costs and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Those are benefits that will continue well beyond the completion of this project.”
Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle MP said: “The NSW Government is pleased to spend almost $1 million on this Community Solar and Batteries project.
“As the local state member, and also NSW Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, I am delighted that this will lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across these community sites, reduce energy bills, improve electricity grid stability, and ultimately help to save the planet.
“Both Hazelwood Childcare Centre and Katoomba Children’s Cottage have used this community solar panels and battery wellbeing project, to create a book to help explain to the children using their service about how using the sun’s energy helps the lights stay on and keeps everyone safe and warm.
“What a fantastic initiative and important education tool for our youngest citizens!”
The completed project forms part of Council’s broader work to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and strengthen the resilience of community infrastructure across the Blue Mountains.
The Community Solar and Batteries Project was funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program in association with Blue Mountains City Council.
Troy has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.