Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Bathurst Regional Council's climate and sustainability commitments

Bathurst Regional Council is part of the Cities Power Partnership, Australia's largest network of councils leading the way to a sustainable future

  • Traditional Owners Wiradjuri People
  • Member since 2019
  • Population 44,540
Feature_icon_2 / Solar Energy

50%

renewable energy for community by 2025

Our journey

What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability

In 2009 Bathurst Regional Council created a staff position with responsibilities to monitor and report on energy use of Council operations. Then in 2010/11 Council committed $100,000 seed funding to establish a Revolving Energy Fund. The fund allows a proportion of the savings made as a result of investment in energy saving projects to be diverted into a fund that is used to invest in future energy saving initiatives. Since the initial seed funding Council has invested a further $200,000 capital funding into the program.

Ten projects have been funded or part funded by the Revolving Energy Fund, reducing Council’s grid electricity use by an estimated 500 MWh and CO2 emissions by 434 tonnes.

The projects have included the installation of solar arrays at Mount Panorama, Council’s Works Depot, Small Animal Pound, Water Filtration Plant, Waste Water Treatment Works, the Library Art Gallery complex; and lighting upgrades at the National Motor Racing Museum, Depot, Art Gallery and Aerodrome.

What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability

A key theme of the Bathurst Community Strategic Plan is environmental sustainability and the Plan has stated objectives to promote sustainable and energy efficient growth, to minimise the City’s environmental footprint and to encourage less car dependency.

What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership

Through membership of the Cities Power Partnership Council hopes to continue the rollout of projects through the Revolving Energy Fund, to build on the savings already made and to promote the efficiencies being made in a regional city to other local government areas and communities across Australia. Council is also currently investigating projects in the area of energy efficient street lighting and sustainable transport, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Council anticipates that being a Cities Power Partner will help it leverage learnings made by other Councils and organisations and increase the likelihood of successful project outcomes in these areas.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings.
Energy Efficiency
Roll out energy efficient lighting across the municipality.
Sustainable Transport
Provide fast-charging infrastructure throughout the city at key locations for electric vehicles.
Support cycling through provision of adequate cycle lanes, bike parking and end-of-ride facilities.
Work Together and Influence
Support the local community to develop capacity and skills to tackle climate change.

In the news

News

Letter | John, what if that climate science is correct?

24 Jun 2019
Cr Jess Jennings on why climate change is a right-to-farm issue with a very simple logic: more emissions cause more droughts.
News

Climate change isn’t coming, it’s here, says expert

13 Mar 2018
YOU can forget about climate change being a future phenomenon, according to Professor Lesley Hughes.  “It’s a now phenomenon,” she said during her visit to…
Media Release

Changes to council energy use planned under new power partnership

09 Feb 2018
BATHURST Regional Council has become one of the 70 councils across Australia to sign up to the Cities Power Partnership. New member councils – also including Orange,…

Join now and be part of the groundswell of local governments and communities across Australia tackling climate change.