Our journey
What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy or broader sustainability
Waverley Council has achieved a 28% reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions since July 2003.
Buildings make up around half of Waverley’s overall greenhouse gas emissions profile. Through the application of LED lighting and building control systems designed to improve the operational efficiency of heating, ventilation, and cooling systems, Waverley has reduced the energy consumption of our most energy-intensive buildings by around 20%.
Council has also worked in partnership with Ausgrid to facilitate the upgrade of more than 700 street lights to LED, whilst also rolling out LED lighting across all of our parks and sports grounds. We’ve also installed more than 250kW of solar panels across 12 Council sites, and have begun trialling the use of electric vehicles within Council’s fleet.
In addition to these projects, Waverly also purchases 25% GreenPower for our 6 largest sites.
What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy or broader sustainability
Looking forward, Waverley has a variety of programs in place to achieve both Council and Community focused sustainability outcomes. With regards to Council’s internal operations, Waverley has a second phase of energy and water efficiency upgrades planned for our largest buildings, and will continue to install rooftop solar panels at these sites – potentially coupled with energy storage technology. We are also participating in an SSROC led bulk renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement, which would facilitate the supply of renewable energy to meet at least 20% of Waverley’s electricity supply.
To help integrate sustainability throughout our community, Council officers are delivering the Building Futures program with building managers in Bondi Junction to encourage the uptake of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies. We are also working in partnership with Woollahra and Randwick Councils to provide public electric vehicle charging stations across the Eastern Suburbs, with the view to enable the faster uptake of electrical vehicles throughout the community. Waverley will also seek to improve the accessibility of rooftop solar for residential and commercial tenants through the development of new solar access models, or through the support of existing solar access programs.
Through our Second Nature program, Council will also continue to increase awareness and engagement in the community on energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport. By developing and delivering digital and print communications, targeted behaviour change initiatives, workshops, events and collaboration with community groups and other stakeholders, the Second Nature program empowers our community to take sustainability actions in their everyday lives.
Why council joined the Cities Power Partnership
By joining the Cities Power Partnership Waverley hopes to share knowledge and resources with other proactive Council’s delivering similar sustainability projects. By sharing our experience and learning from other Councils, we hope to increase the successful implementation of sustainability projects both within Waverley, and across Australia.