Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Hornsby Shire Council's climate and sustainability commitments

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

  • Traditional Owners Darug and GuriNgai Peoples
  • Member since 2017
  • Population 150,698

Our journey

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

Council has a strong history of energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability initiatives for both our own corporate assets and working with the broader community. Actions undertaken in the past include:

  • Buying 100% renewable electricity to power Council’s facilities and street light
  • Fitting over 211kW of solar panel systems and one 15kW wind turbine on Council buildings, libraries, works depot and park facilities
  • Installation of LED lighting and more energy-efficient HVAC in Council buildings and offices
  • Working with SSROC and its member councils on the Street Lighting Improvement Program and accelerated deployment of over 3500 LED street lights on residential roads
  • Community workshops on energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable design and retrofits
  • Propagation and distribution of approx. 30,000 plants annually from Council’s Warada Ngurang Community Nursery for planting on public land or given to residents and schools
  • Revegetating over 6.8 hectares of Hawkesbury River foreshore with River Mangroves to improve foreshore resilience and lock up ‘blue carbon’
  • Free guided bush walks program highlighting our Shire’s diverse flora and fauna
    For over 22 years we have been running an extensive water quality monitoring program. The program monitors the health of the Shire’s waterways and provides current water quality monitoring data to our community
  • Transitioned 12 petrol vehicles to hybrid vehicles

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

In Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2022-2032, our future goals under the strategic direction of resilient and sustainable are: a net zero community; a resilient Shire that can adapt to a changing climate and withstand shocks and stresses (e.g. natural hazards or pandemics); using resources wisely and supporting the circular economy; and a sustainable community that ensures the needs of future generations are met.

Council also has adopted a carbon emission reduction target of 32% emission reduction by 2025, 53% reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050, based on 2018 levels. In addition, Council has set a target for city-level emissions of 31% emission reduction by 2025 based on 2017 levels, 53% by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

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

Hornsby Shire Council has joined the Cities Power Partnership seeking mentoring and partnerships, access to the CCP knowledge hub, webinars and visits from climate council experts. The Cities Power Partnership Program will support our collaboration with other councils and provide access to reliable and current information and experiences specific to local councils and our communities.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Use council resources to support the uptake of renewable energy
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings.
Energy Efficiency
Adopt best practice energy efficiency measures across all council buildings, and support community facilities to adopt these measures.
Roll out energy efficient lighting across the municipality.
Work Together and Influence
Develop education and behaviour-change programs to support local residents and businesses to tackle climate change through clean energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport.

In the news

Media Release

Mayors on the bushfire battleground make climate call

15 Nov 2019
Mayors of fire-stricken areas have signed a statement calling on the government to acknowledge the link between climate change and the catastrophic fires.

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