Hunter courthouses to go solar-powered with new State program

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter courthouses are set to be a little more energy efficient, with a new solar panel program rolling out across New South Wales.

The $1.8 million rollout is part of the State's push to halve emissions by 2030, and hit net zero by 2050.

Broadmeadow, Muswellbrook, Toronto, Belmont, and Woy Woy courthouses will all get the upgrade.

The buildings will also be outfitted with energy saving LED lighting and motion sensor activation in rooms such as meeting rooms and bathrooms.

The program's expected to generate 2,311 MWh of electricity a year, or reduce annual carbon emissions by 360 households. 

Work on the upgrades will begin early next year and is expected to be completed by June.

Newcastle Joins Global Race to Reach Zero Emissions

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle is now the latest city to sign up to the global Cities Race to Zero campaign, pushing local governments to fight for zero emission targets.

Joining 750 cities around the world, it's hoped the international campaign will put pressure on state and federal governments and give local councils a seat at the table.

It comes as the NSW Government also announced a commitment to halving emissions by 2030.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes described the move as a logical next step for the city.

"Local government does have a very significant role to play, as we've always recognised at the City of Newcastle," Cr Nelmes told Council on Tuesday.

"Not just in advocacy, but real action on climate change, like the real action we have taken here, shifting to 100 percent renewables."

Cr Nelmes said the "united front" of local governments in Australia and internationally is already delivering change.

"We have been able to push, particularly Federal decision makers, down the path that they probably should have gone down many years ago around adopting those net zero targets," Cr Nelmes said.