Council saves the environment and money

Published Wednesday, 20th March 2019

Fairfield City Council reduced its energy consumption by an amazing 22 per cent in the 10 years to 2016 and is now taking the next step, joining the State Government’s Sustainable Councils and Communities Program.

Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said Council’s sustainability initiatives have helped save both the environment from greenhouse gas emissions and money.

“Energy consumption reduction and its cost savings are just some of the measures we take to keep our rates one of the lowest in metropolitan Sydney,” he said.

“Reduced energy consumption is a win-win for residents. It helps keep our environment clean, making our City more liveable while helping to take pressure off rates.”

The energy savings have been achieved through numerous measures including:

• using solar power

• retrofitting facility lights with energy efficient bulbs

• replacing more than 1,000 street lights with energy saving LED technology

• upgrading to high energy efficient air conditioning, and 

• using solar pool heating for outdoor swimming pools.

“Council now wants to take the next sustainability step forward,” Mayor Carbone said.

“The construction of new infrastructure in the City such as Dutton Lane Plaza, Fairfield City Youth and Community Centre and Aquatopia make our City an even more attractive place to live, work and play,” he said

“But it also has seen our energy usage increase slightly in the past three years.

“Council wants to get our energy consumption back on the downward trend while we continue to add and improve to the City’s infrastructure.”

The Sustainable Councils and Communities Program is a 4-year program providing focused and fast-tracked NSW Government support to councils for energy action plans.