A new video has been released looking back at Newcastle's transformation from the "steel city" to a clean energy leader, and Newcastle Council becoming the first council in Australia to make the switch to 100 percent renewables.
Council's initiatives which helped them reach the achievement include introducing solar panels to council buildings, enhancing electric vehicle infrastructure, and switching to sustainable public transport options, in addition to significant investment in the Summerhill Solar Farm.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says the City of Newcastle is "exceptionally pleased" to have been showcased for their work as a member of the Climate Council and the Cities Power Partnership.
"We were the very first council in Australia to embrace 100 percent renewables," said Cr Clausen.
"We did it in a way that means we're saving money for rate-payers and returning those savings back into community infrastructure, so it's a really great outcome."
The City of Newcastle's operations have been completely powered by renewable energy since New Year's Day - and the council has more plans to improve waste management, expand active transport, and help out businesses and households with their energy use as well.
Local businesses such as the Carrington Bowling Club, which are featured in the video, have also launched significant community campaigns to raise money for renewables too - the club now saves more than a thousand dollars a month thanks to their own solar panels.
David Craven, Director of the Cities Power Partnership, says the community's involvement in renewable energy initiatives has been just as exciting as the council's efforts.
"It's fantastic to see what the council is doing, but this is also clearly something that's deeper than just the council taking action," said Mr Craven.
"The community themselves are getting behind this, and we can see that there's a real thirst for renewable energy in the community of Newcastle."
Concerns have been raised from the community and environmental groups regarding the continued impact of the Port of Newcastle - the busiest coal export port in the world - and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's recent application to increase their coal terminal capacity on Kooragang island from 66 to 79 million tonnes of coal per year.
"I think we're seeing the economics of coal really heading in the wrong direction for those kinds of applications. These things are going to play out in the market anyway," Mr Craven said.
Newcastle Council say they are committed to sustainable development, working closely with partners, including operators like the Port of Newcastle, to look at how they can continue to diversify.
"Coal is an exceptionally important commodity for Newcastle and the Hunter region, and we want to look closely on how to reduce the impact they have on the environment. We've been working really closely with partners, by adopting sustainable development goals with Port Waratah Coal services," said Cr Clausen.
"Newcastle still has a reputation to be a steel city, and it's certainly a reputation that when you talk to people from outside the region that we're a dirty city."
"This is a really unique way of showcasing the amount of change that has happened in Newcastle, and we hope that that will lead to positive outcomes in terms of what other cities can do as well."
Watch the video here.
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| Image credit: https://citiespowerpartnership.org.au/ |
