Newcastle awarded for its energy efficiency

A Climate Council award has been won by the City of Newcastle for its work on climate change.

The council took home the Cities Power Partnership Energy Efficiency Achievement award for the Newcastle Museum Energy Upgrade Project, which upgraded lighting in several sections of the building to maximise energy efficiency, saving thousands on power bills, in addition to installing a 100 kW solar panel.

The Cities Power Partner Summit Awards, held Thursday, 18 October in Kiama, NSW, as part of the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership National Summit, recognised the unsung work of climate heroes in local governments across the country.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the city was thrilled to be recognised as energy efficiency leaders within Australia.

“This project is one that continues to build on our long track record of acting to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions,” Nelmes said.

“We have undertaken energy efficiency upgrades at social, cultural and recreational facilities that Newcastle residents use every day, as well as council operational buildings.

“Newcastle Museum, as a key cultural facility and tourist attraction, was a prime site for an energy-efficient upgrade, which is helping the council save money on electricity bills, reducing ongoing operational costs for this heritage site. We’re also undertaking significant street lighting upgrades for energy savings powering towards council’s goal to have 30% of its electricity generated from low-carbon sources by 2020.”

Alix Pearce, Director of the Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest local government climate alliance, said that the range of climate solutions coming out of Australia’s councils was staggering.

“The local climate solutions on display at these awards are tangible proof that Australian communities are rising up to meet the challenges of climate change,” she said.

“From supporting local schools to save thousands on their power bills through solar energy through to developing Australia’s largest floating solar farm, Cities Power Partnership councils are leading the way with practical local climate solutions.

“These local heroes are stepping up and getting the job done, in the face of continuing federal climate inaction. It’s time to celebrate these quiet achievers, who are working at the climate frontline and helping their communities to drive down local greenhouse gas pollution.”

The Cities Power Partnership Awards celebrated outstanding work from local governments in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport and community advocacy, as well as individual climate champion awards.

The full list of award winners is below:

Renewable Energy Achievement Award
Winner: Solar my School — Three Council Program from Randwick, Waverley & Woollahra Councils (New South Wales)

Energy Efficiency Achievement
Winner: Newcastle Museum Energy upgrade — City of Newcastle (New South Wales)

Sustainable Transport Achievement Award
Winner: Transition to Zero Emissions Vehicles Action Plan 2018-21 — ACT Government

Community Engagement Achievement Award
Winner: Floating solar farm — Lismore City Council (New South Wales)

Knowledge Sharing Award
Winner: South East NSW Councils buddy group (New South Wales)

CPP Ambassador Award
Winner: Clr Ken Keith, Mayor, Parkes Shire Council (New South Wales)

The Cities Power Partnership is a free national program created by the Climate Council that celebrates and accelerates the pollution reduction and clean energy successes of Australia in towns and cities.

Image courtesy of City of Newcastle.

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