Goulburn Mulwaree Council is encouraging sustainability across many domestic and business uses including water re-use, innovative waste recycling and solar power installation.
The Council has set the community a great example by installing significant photovoltaic systems on the roofs of its prominent buildings.
Goulburn Mulwaree Manager of Land and Property Services Ken Wheeldon said Council’s commitment to solar power so far has been extensive.
“We wanted to lead by example on this – to promote the uptake of renewable energy products.
“To that extent, Council allocated $50,000 in 2011/12, $90,000 in 2012/13 and $90,000 in 2013/14 – a total of $230,000 for the installation of photovoltaic panels on roofs of Council buildings.”
So far this has included:
- a 10kW system at the Visitors Information Centre (installed September 2011)
- a 10kW system at the Aquatic Centre (2 x 5kW systems installed in March and September 2012).
- a 30 kW system on the rear roof of the Civic Centre (installed June 2013)
- a 10kW system on the Art Gallery roof (installed September 2013).
Mr Wheeldon said further projects in the pipeline included a 10kW system at the Bourke St Depot and a 10kW system at the Hetherington St Depot (to be installed before end of 2013).
“This means the total combined solar panel roll-out on Council buildings will soon be 80kW. Considering the average domestic solar system is currently about 1.5 to 2kW, Council’s investment in solar panels is significant and extensive.”
Council’s General Manager Chris Berry said harnessing solar power also made good business sense.
“The Aquatic Centre solar panel now saves us around $3500 a year and we anticipate full payback of the installation within the next 10 years.
“The Visitors Information Centre now generates 22 percent of its total electricity bill from the solar panels and it will pay for itself within six years. All power generated from it after 2017 will be a direct saving to our community.”
Mr Berry said Council was also investigating further opportunities to improve sustainability with additional stand-alone solar panels to be installed on the Marulan Waste Management Centre and Tarago Transfer Station.
Another recent innovative solar project was the installation of streetlights along Mary’s Mount Rd that are powered completely by solar power.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council Officer Larry Meng said the 52 streetlights illuminated 2.75km of road.
“This is the only project of its kind in Australia where a whole road is illuminated completely by solar power. There are other places in Australia where there are intersections and small sections of road illuminated, but not an entire road.
“Council has also allocated a further $40,000 in 2013/14 for solar street lights in the Civic Centre Car Park.
“There have also been savings of up to $113,000 per year in converting to more energy efficient street lighting lamps and these savings will be ongoing.”
