By working together councils will have a better chance of identifying strategies that will help us all reduce energy consumption
Mayor Phillip Ruddock
Partnership Action Pledge
Our power partners are committed to switching to non-polluting energy and reducing emissions in their communities.
Provide Council resources to educate and support the uptake of renewable energy such as by hiring an internal renewable energy support officer or establishing an independent body (such as the Moreland and Yarra Energy Foundations
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings for example childcare facilities, libraries, street lighting, recreation centres, sporting grounds, and council offices.
Adopt best practice energy efficiency measures across all council buildings, and support community facilities to adopt these measures.
Public lighting can use a large proportion of a City’s energy budget – roll out energy efficient lighting (particularly street lighting) across the municipality.
Implement an education and behaviour change program to influence the behaviour of council officers, residents and businesses within the municipality to drive the shift to renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport.
Hornsby Shire Council
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:
Installation of LED lighting and more energy efficient HVAC in Council buildings and offices
Fitting over 192kW of solar panel systems and one 15kW wind turbine on Council buildings, libraries, works depot and park facilities
Working with SSROC and its member councils on the Street Lighting Improvement Program and accelerated deployment of LED street lighting
Community workshops on energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable design and retrofits
Propagation and distribution of over 28,000 plants from Council’s community nursery for planting on public land or given to residents and schools
Free guided bushwalks program highlighting our Shire’s diverse flora and fauna
For 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.
What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
In Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2013-2023, considerations for our future include improving Council’s resource consumption and assisting our community to improve resilience to climate related vulnerability. In particular we are looking at sustainable energy use and increasing the number of community members participating in Council’s sustainability initiatives.
Council also has a carbon emission reduction target of 30% below 1995/96 levels by 2019/20.
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.