Shellharbour City Council has taken another step in its commitment to the environment by becoming the latest Australian local government area to make climate pledges as part of the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership.

The council has vowed to drive down local greenhouse gas pollution by installing solar power on council buildings and making council buildings energy efficient.

The council’s pledges also look at how Shellharbour residents can play a crucial role in combating climate change, and will be introducing minimum energy efficiency benchmarks for all planning applications as well as fast-charging infrastructure to support local uptake of electric vehicles.

Shellharbour’s Cities Power Partnership pledges are:

· Install solar power on council buildings

· Set minimum energy efficiency benchmarks for all planning applications

· Adopt best practice energy efficiency measures across all Council buildings, and support community facilities to adopt these measures

· Ensure Council fleet purchases meet strict greenhouse gas emissions requirements and support the uptake of hybrid and/or electric vehicles

· Provide fast-charging user pays infrastructure throughout the city at key locations for electric vehicles

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said residents stood to benefit financially by making their homes more energy efficient.

“When the minimum energy efficiency standards are introduced into planning applications, local residents and businesses will be able to save on soaring energy bills while reducing their greenhouse gas pollution,” Cr Saliba said.

“It’s a win-win situation for Shellharbour residents - we’re safeguarding our future while saving money.”

Shellharbour joined the Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest local government climate alliance, in 2018, joining forces with over 100 councils across the country working to reduce their climate impact.

Participating councils make five pledges to limit their local climate impact, from reducing transport emissions through to getting behind renewable energy.

Cities Power Partnership director Tracie Armstrong said that local governments such as Shellharbour were leading the charge in Australia’s clean energy transformation.

“Shellharbour’s pledge to build energy efficiency into future planning processes shows a great commitment to supporting local residents and business to tackle climate change,” Ms Armstrong said.

“Energy efficiency is an unsung climate hero, helping to drive down spiralling energy costs while making a significant dent in local emissions.

“As power bills skyrocket and Australia’s greenhouse gas pollution soars, local governments such as Shellharbour are stepping up to meet the challenge.

“It’s great to see Shellharbour developing a strong, local climate response,” she said.

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008.