Port Macquarie Hastings Council is the largest user of electricity within our local government area. With an annual electricity bill of about $4.7m, consuming 18GWh. Over 10 years, council’s electricity expenditure would be about $50m and over 20 years, it will be close to $100m.

However, thousands of homes in our area are already using solar panels to reduce their electricity bills and helping the environment. The community adoption of this technology is already way ahead of council, and council needs to catch up.

Council has been looking closely at what efficiencies we can make to save rate-payers money in the short and long term. Over the next 10 years, we will be implementing electricity efficiency projects, as well as exploring electricity generation opportunities.

The first step will be upgrading 5,583 street lights with energy efficient LEDs. While this will initially cost $2m, it will generate cost savings of $330,000 per year, saving almost 1GWh of electricity. This upgrade should be complete by the end of the year.

We will be installing solar panels on council buildings where it makes sense to do so. The Laurieton council office and library will be one of the first cabs off the rank.

As pump motors (sewer and water) need upgrading and replacing, we will look at implementing energy efficient pumps.

Council will aim to source 100 per cent of electricity usage from renewable energy by 2027.

To achieve this, we will need to implement one or more mid-scale solar projects when the technology becomes more cost efficient.

Each year, we will review our progress and plan the next steps to achieve the goal. This strategy is on public exhibition until the September 20.

The ducks are lined up. It is a good strategy for the environment. It is a good strategy financially. It is a good strategy for our community.