Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Randwick City Council's climate and sustainability commitments

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

  • Traditional Owners Bidjigal and Gadigal Peoples
  • Member since 2017
  • Population 153,498
Feature_icon_2 / Solar Energy

100%

renewable energy for community since 2022

Our journey

Congratulations to Randwick City Council in NSW who is a Round 2 member of the Cities Power Partnership!

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

Randwick Council’s clean energy transition has progressed through an innovative environmental levy program. Over the years, this program has provided energy saving rebates for residents, established the first local government emissions trading scheme with 11 other NSW councils, installed energy saving and renewable technologies across more than a dozen sites, and developed a comprehensive range of behavioural change programs for staff, residents, schools and businesses.

In partnership with neighbouring councils, Randwick has further developed a strategic approach on energy savings, renewable energy deployment, carbon abatement and climate change adaptation. This roadmap is outlined in the draft Eastern Suburbs Low Carbon Future plan.

Randwick Council has now installed more than 200 kilowatts (kW) of solar PV across Council and community sites as well as a 2.4kW small-scale wind turbine at the Randwick Community Centre. These on-site renewable energy projects in conjunction with ongoing GreenPower investment for all Council sites seeks to reduce Council’s reliance on fossil fuels and encourage the development of renewable energy sources.

Randwick Council continues to encourage residents to reduce their carbon and ecological footprint, offering free sustainable living workshops, energy saving excursions for local school students, an annual Eco Living Fair, solar power information nights (through the Our Energy Future initiative), and monthly open days at a sustainability demonstration house as part of our 3-Council collaboration project.

This collaboration has also established a coordinated program to install public electric vehicle charging stations and assist local schools install solar.

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

Council has recently adopted a zero emission target by 2030 and will continue to explore rapidly advancing energy saving and renewable energy solutions including the rollout of rooftop solar, energy efficiency, and both active and sustainable transportation options.

As part of the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) Streetlighting Improvement Program, Randwick is planning to replace over 4,000 pre-2009 streetlights with modern LEDs. This upgrade will reduce our annual streetlight energy consumption by approximately 1,200 MWh and greenhouse gas emissions by 1,270 tonnes of CO 2 -e.

As a member of the Cities Power Partnership, Randwick seeks to gain a greater understanding of both its own and its communities’ emission profiles. With this increased understanding, Council will continue its investment and commitment to achieving energy savings for its operations, its community and for improved environmental outcomes.

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

Randwick Council recognises that climate change is something that affects every community in Australia and across the world. It’s sensible and responsible to work in collaboration with our local government colleagues and our collective communities of businesses, schools and industry to address and respond to the changes occurring around us from Climate Change.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Use council resources to support the uptake of renewable energy
Support community facilities to access renewable energy through incentives, support or grants.
Power council operations by renewable energy, and set targets to increase the level of renewable power for council operations over time.
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.

In the news

Media Release

Seventeen councils join nationwide call for ambitious Federal Government targets ahead of UN climate summit

13 Oct 2021
Councils have called on the Federal Government to commit to strong, unified action on climate change, ahead of COP26.
Media Release

Mayors commit to clean, local jobs

20 Oct 2020
Over forty mayors and councillors have released a joint statement committing to economic recovery solutions that create jobs and tackle climate change.

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