Shoalhaven City Council recognised for its environmental excellence

September 29, 2020

Environment /

Shoalhaven City Council has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2020 Local Government NSW’s Excellence in the Environment Awards in both the Towards Net Zero Emissions and Resource Recovery categories.

In the Towards Net Zero Emissions category, Council is recognised for its actions and commitments in the past year to increase renewable energy generation on its assets, prepare its inaugural Sustainable Energy Strategy and begin an internal Revolving Energy Fund (REFund).

Over 400 kW of new solar PV were installed in the past year on assets such as the Nowra Library, Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre and wastewater treatment plants.

Energy efficient LED lighting was also installed at the Nowra Library using seed funding to kick start the new REFund. The cost savings made from the project are reinvested back into the REFund to pay for new energy efficiency projects.

Across the Shoalhaven region, over 4,000 residential streetlights are also being replaced with energy efficient LED lights, a project co-funded between Council and the NSW Government. These sustainable energy projects work towards achieving Council’s adopted target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Shoalhaven Council’s waste recovery facility set up for the recent bushfire demolition was the other shortlisted project for these prestigious annual environmental awards.

Following the devasting destruction of the bushfires in the Shoalhaven region, Council opted to set up a temporary bushfire demolition waste processing facility to preserve the capacity of its only perishable waste landfill.

Any demolition waste that was unaffected by asbestos contamination was able to be recycled. The State Government contractor, Laing O’Rourke, transported the material to the temporary processing facility in West Nowra.

In the three months of operation the facility processed almost 18,000 tonnes of demolition waste from 313 homes, recovering a staggering 96% of the material for reuse.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Amanda Findley, commended Council staff for their commitment to achieving outstanding environmental and community outcomes adding “I would like to congratulate the dedicated staff for their significant work to improve the resilience and sustainability of the Shoalhaven community into the future.

“It’s been a hugely challenging year for the Shoalhaven, so it makes me very proud that Council has been able to adapt and achieve excellence when it matters the most.”

The Awards ceremony will be held via an online event on Tuesday, 13th October 2020.

Image: Shoalhaven solar panels

26th February 2020 - Sporting Fields Irrigation Project underway for Shoalhaven

24th October 2019 - Shoalhaven sports grounds and golf courses benefit from recycled water initiative

14th October 2019 - 200 solar panels installed on Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre rooftop

23rd September 2020 - First construction stage begins on Shoalhaven’s Boongaree recreation and sporting precinct

16th September 2020 - Shoalhaven community invited to participate in virtual meeting to discuss proposed Conjola Park Improvements

24th August 2020 - Showground Improvement Plans approved for Shoalhaven

4th August 2020 - Shoalhaven City Council launches new facility booking platform

21st July 2020 - Sustainable tourism infrastructure projects announced for Shoalhaven

5th June 2020 - Sportsfield grandstand installations completed in Shoalhaven

26th May 2020 - Sportsfield floodlight upgrades completed in Shoalhaven

25th March 2020 - Coronavirus Update: Shoalhaven closes ocean pools, national park closures, Star lays off 8,000 staff - 25th March

21st March 2020 - Resurfacing works completed for Shoalhaven Tennis Courts

16th November 2019 - Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre officially opens

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