MITCHELL Shire Council is celebrating another step forward in its journey towards a more sustainable future, with the installation of rooftop solar panels at several community facilities.
The $132,776 project saw an additional 134.2kW of rooftop solar infrastructure installed at the Wallan Family and Children’s Centre, the Wallan Multipurpose Centre, RB Robson Stadium in Wallan, the Wandong Memorial Stadium and three buildings within the Harley Hammond Reserve precinct in Broadford, which includes the netball and tennis pavilion, Otway Tuckett pavilion and the Broadford Outdoor Pool.
This is the largest annual solar installation Council has undertaken, bringing its total rooftop solar panel capacity to just over 520kW across 24 sites, with plans for future installations on other buildings in the 2025/26 financial year.
The addition of rooftop solar is expected to save an estimated $26,322 in electricity bills every year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 tonnes annually.
This project is a key action in Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan and will reduce reliance on grid electricity, lower operating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall said the project contributed to positive outcomes for Council, communities and the environment.
“Our Climate Emergency Action Plan demonstrates our commitment to reducing emissions, and projects like our rooftop solar program demonstrate how we are making a difference,” he said.
“By delivering initiatives like this we are creating more energy efficient and sustainable community facilities that save money over the long term.”