Camden Council has joined one of Australia’s most successful programs working to lower community energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.
Coordinated by Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), the Western Sydney Energy Program is a collaboration between eight Western Sydney councils — now including Camden Council — dedicated to realising energy cost and emission savings for participating councils and their communities.
Camden Council formally joined the Western Sydney Energy Program in February 2023.
“It’s fantastic to be one of the eight councils across Western Sydney that makes up this program,” said Camden Mayor, Cr Therese Fedeli.
“It works to achieve energy cost and emission savings for our communities, which is fantastic. As one of the fastest growing local government areas in the country, Camden welcomes more than 100 new residents every week.
“It’s important that we work hard to look after the environment around us, as well as help our residents live happily and comfortably – and helping to lower community energy costs will go a long way to doing that.
“I look forward to getting more involved and seeing what we can do together.”
The Western Sydney Energy program focuses on four areas of activity:
* Renewable Energy Transformation: including the installation of low cost, low emission energy generation and storage.
* Transport: emphasising transport infrastructure to deliver a low cost and low emission future.
* Supporting our communities: by helping communities access services to reduce energy costs.
* Facilities and precincts: through implementing best practice in energy planning and design for key precincts and facilities.
“Each year, the Western Sydney Energy Program works with member councils across a wide range of projects such as lighting and equipment upgrades, EV readiness, solar installations, and other initiatives,” said WSROC president, Cr Barry Calvert.
“The program has saved councils $24 million to date.”
Recent initiatives by the Western Sydney Energy Program include the rollout of 52,200 new energy-saving LED streetlights, replacing less efficient ‘mercury vapour’ light bulbs.
“The CO2 emissions reductions from that project alone are equivalent to taking 460,000 cars off the road and are expected to save 40,000 tonnes of greenhouse gasses,” said Cr Calvert.
“In the renewable energy space, the program has focused on such initiatives as virtual power plants, community batteries, the implementation of a Regional EV Roadmap focused on electric vehicle fleet transition and the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
“Western Sydney is undoubtedly large and growing. However, our infrastructure, economy and community provide both challenges and opportunities relating to energy.
“Having Camden Council join the Western Sydney Energy Program will greatly enhance the program’s potential for integrated planning and investments to further future-proof the region and increase its resilience.”
The Western Sydney Energy Program was recently highlighted in the Australian Government’s December 2022 report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Councils participating in the Western Sydney Energy Program are: Blacktown City, Blue Mountains City, Camden Council, Cumberland City, Hawkesbury City, The Hills Shire City, Liverpool City and Parramatta City.
Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) is the peak body representing councils in Greater Western Sydney.
For details about the Western Sydney Energy Program, go to wsroc.com.au/projects/project-western-sydney-energy-program
