In This Section
Council has committed to the target of reducing our carbon emissions to net zero by 2035. Sourcing and generating renewable energy is a key part of this transition.
In 2004, Council installed its first solar PV system on the Berry Waste Depot. Today, Council has over 55 assets with almost 1,276 kW of solar PV systems installed.
These systems generate an estimated 1,500,000 kWh of renewable electricity every year and save over 1,500 tonnes of annual carbon emissions.
In late 2021, Shoalhaven Water installed Council’s largest solar PV system at its new Nowra Wastewater Treatment Plant. The ground-mounted solar array is comprised of 250 solar panels and will offset the plant’s electricity needs during the daytime with renewable energy.
To guide our actions in reducing energy and emissions, Council's Sustainability and Climate Policy outlines a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, with an interim target of a 50% reduction by 2028.
Under Council's Sustainable Energy Strategy, Council has also committed to:
Everyone has a role to play in helping to protect our environment for future generations. Learn about the different Council programs available to help you save money, reduce carbon, and contribute toward a more sustainable Shoalhaven.
Be part of a clean energy future by moving your home or business to all-electric. Find out how much you can save, and how to access rebates by downloading the Go Electric Plan and Checklist.
Heating, cooling, hot water, cooking, bicycles & cars – all of these can run on electricity and be sourced from renewable energy. Your household could save up to $3,000 per year by replacing or upgrading household appliances, purchasing an electric bike or car, and installing rooftop solar.
Register for one of our free community workshops this May to find out how you can make a plan to go electric.
Wed May 24th
5.30 - 6.30pm
CWA Nowra
Register
Sat May 27th
11am - 12pm
Ulladulla Library
Switching to solar power in your home is a great way to save money, reduce emissions, and do your bit for the planet.
In the Shoalhaven region, over 50% of residential carbon emissions come from electricity use. By installing solar, you can reduce your energy bills and future proof against increasing energy costs, while reducing your carbon footprint at the same time.
If you’re wondering just how much solar could fit on your roof and how much it could save you, Council is a member of SunSPoT – a free tool to assess your solar potential.
When you plug your address into the SunSPoT map, you’ll quickly find out:
SunSPoT can assess the year-round impact of shading from nearby trees and buildings, it knows the average amount of sunshine in the area from BOM weather data, and it knows the angle and orientation of your roof planes. You can also add information from your energy bill about your electricity usage and costs to help calculate the payback period for different systems.
If you’ve already got a solar system installed and you’re wondering if it’s time to invest in a battery, SunSPoT can also calculate the savings you could make.
It’s free, private and you can do it over and over again on any roof using different inputs. SunSPoT was built specifically to help people buy solar with confidence, by knowing what to expect in price, size and savings before talking to sales people.
Calculate your solar potential using the SunSPoT - APVI tool.
Did you know that Australians have one of the highest personal carbon footprints in the world? The good news is that we can change that. Council has partnered with ClimateClever to help households, schools and businesses within the Shoalhaven save money and reduce their carbon footprint.
Using the free ClimateClever platform, you can measure and reduce your electricity and water usage and track your savings over time. You will receive free advice and a tailored action plan to help you save money and reduce your environmental impact - from simple behaviour changes to appliance upgrades.
To sign up and access this free program, use the links below:
Council’s Energy Saving Kits can help you assess and save money on your home energy and water bills. By calculating your energy and water use, you can start to make some simple changes to save money and make your home more comfortable and efficient.
Each kit contains a 10 Amp powermate to help measure power consumption and running costs, a non-Contact Thermometer to help assess surfaces and appliances, a water flow measuring cup to help assess water usage, and a guide to assist in calculating your energy and water use.
Available to borrow from your local library from November 21.
Local cafes and food retailers are proudly displaying their ‘Plastic Free Shoalhaven ’member certificates to demonstrate their commitment towards eliminating single-use plastics.
The Plastic Free Jervis program helps local food retailers across the Shoalhaven reduce key single-use plastic items including plastic water bottles, straws, cups & lids, takeaway containers, foodware, and plastic bags. Across the Shoalhaven, 25 food retailers have joined the program. To find out more, show your support for local cafes, or to register your interest as a local local food business, visit www.plasticfreeplaces.org/jervis-bay.
Download our Shoalhaven Sustainable Living guide to meet like-minded people making a difference in the Shoalhaven and discover some of the simple actions and council resources available to help you.
Water is a precious natural resource that supports all human, plant and animal life. By using water efficiently, we can reduce the demand for freshwater supplies and protect our rivers and waterways. We can also reduce the energy required to process and deliver water, helping to prevent emissions and protect our environment from future warming.
Shoalhaven Water’s Reclaimed Water Management Scheme is one of the largest water recycling schemes ever undertaken by a council in Australia, receiving three national environmental awards across 2020 and 2021.
Through the Reclaimed Water Management Scheme, wastewater from thirteen local treatment plants is recycled and treated so that it can be used for irrigation on local farms, sporting fields and golf courses.
Find out more:
To encourage and assist our community in capturing and storing water, Shoalhaven Water offer community members who are connected to the town water supply a $500 rainwater tank rebate for newly purchased and installed tanks with a total capacity greater than 2000 litres.
For more water wise programs, rebates and ideas visit the:
The way that we consume resources and produce waste has a direct impact on our environment. Council is committed to protecting our natural resources by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and improving resource recovery across the region through award winning projects and services.
This state of the art facility will be Australia’s first Advanced Waste Treatment plant capable of diverting over 90% of Mixed Waste from landfill. Everything that can be reused or recycled is extracted in one process.
Shoalhaven City Council is committed to maximising the recovery of resources in an ever-changing industry. Our efforts have focused on ensuring recycling continues within the Shoalhaven while minimising the risk of recyclables being sent to landfill.
Council will soon be turning mattresses and other textile waste into ceramic tiles to be used in the building industry! Council has partnered with the University of NSW research arm, looking at reforming different wastes into value-added materials for re-use.
Planning is underway for an innovative, purpose built centre to provide the community with access to hands-on learning opportunities around waste and recycling, sustainability and positive behaviour change.
Find out more here:
Council provides a range of services to help our community recycle and reduce waste:
Council is committed to reducing our corporate operational emissions and supporting our community to transition to clean renewable energy.
Under its Sustainability and Climate Policy, Council recognised the international scientific consensus that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and that human activities (primarily greenhouse gas emissions) are the principle cause of these changes. In order to mitigate climate change, Council has committed to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, in line with the recommendations of the Climate Council.
Council joined the Cities Power Partnership in 2017, pledging to meet the following key commitments to reduce climate change impacts.
Under the program, Council has already achieved the following key pledges:
In 2020, Council was the overall winner in the Towards Zero Net Emissions category at the Local Government NSW Excellence in Environment Awards, receiving the award for its adoption of a series of sustainable energy projects aimed at reducing emissions.
Some of the projects included trialling 3 fully electric vehicles in our fleet, installation of over 400 kW of solar panels across 10 sites, commencing a revolving energy fund, replacing 4,000 streetlights with energy saving LEDs and supporting Repower Shoalhaven’s community energy solar farm.
Council has been working to identify and prepare for climate change risks for over a decade by completing Climate Change Risk Assessments and preparing the Shoalhaven Adaptation Plan.
In 2022 Council updated the Shoalhaven Adaptation Plan in line with the latest science and best practice advice. This Plan outlines key actions to reduce climate change impacts and build a more resilient and climate adapted Shoalhaven.