Through the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, Council has received grant funding to install a ground-mounted solar panel system at Lithgow’s JM Robson Aquatic Centre.
Due to the weight of the system, the panels cannot be installed on the Aquatic Centre’s roof. Therefore, a ground-mounted system will be installed in a seldom-used part of the centre, toward the north of the site. Through a public tender announced in coming weeks, preliminary works will commence from Monday 21st March and will include the removal of trees and realignment of fencing at the northern end of the centre.
The Aquatic Centre site is one of Council’s highest energy users. The installation will significantly reduce operating costs, allowing Council to divert funding to other maintenance priorities. Additionally, having this environmentally sustainable source of energy on site will reduce Council’s carbon emissions and potentially feed the electricity grid during times of low consumption.
“Council is excited to have been offered this State Government funding as it will support the organisation in its ongoing endeavors to improve its operations,” said Lithgow City Council’s Mayor, Councillor Maree Statham. “It is essential that we proactively investigate and make use of new technology and innovation. This will ensure we can either improve the services delivered for the same cost or reduce costs while still providing the same high level of service. I am excited by this project and look forward to supporting further changes in the near future.”
