Cowra Council’s buildings will host a new energy source for the town, after a grant application for over $200,000 in state government assistance was successful.
Councillors were informed of the successful application, under the Labor government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund, covering up to 50 per cent of energy-efficient projects for local governments.
Councillor Erin Watt said the motion to fund six council locations across Cowra was a ‘very welcome’ proposal, that would include solar panels, batteries and power factor corrections.
“It's very exciting that we were successful in receiving these grants. These projects were identified in line with our efforts to reduce ongoing power costs and reduce our carbon emissions impact to the council, one of the things that we identified in the 2022 CSP development, because we want to act as a leader in our community and show our community what they can do,” she said.
“It's a very sound investment for us in terms of the reduction in ongoing power. We've made quite sound decisions regarding which facilities, by asking for battery storage as well, considering their use.
“As a chair of the Cowra Tourism Corporation, of course, is a visitor centre, it'll be very welcomed in what we do there and reducing our bills as well.”
The project will see the Civic Centre, library and art gallery, depot, materials recycling facility and visitor centre host solar panels on-site, with battery storage at the depot, tip and visitor’s centre. Cowra’s high-lift pump station was also funded for a power factor corrections installation to help raise the power factor of the site.
Councillor Ruth Fagan said the new power supplies would help council staff and residents rest easy, knowing some of the town’s most essential services would be more resilient and have better access to power.
“I know that our general manager stays awake at night worrying about the lift pump station because he worries about us not having any water. This will probably allay his fears, and they'll get a better sleep at night,” she said.
“I'm very pleased to say that we're having this high lift pump station included in this upgrading of our electricity.”
Councillor Nikki Kiss emphasised the importance of matching the costs, to help reduce power bills in the long-term for council.
“Council tries to be financially responsible, set funds aside and just be financially diligent. It's great to have that little pocket [of money] aside where it's there in case of an emergency or something needed, like a 50% co-contribution to something that is so significant towards our sustainability goals,” she said.
“It's always reassuring to know that it's there. We need it, but it's not to be squandered. I wholeheartedly support this.”
