City of Bayswater Racks Up More Solar On Community Buildings

Western Australia’s City of Bayswater is edging towards its renewable energy target, with another 5 community buildings now sporting solar panels.

Situated approximately 7 kilometres northeast of Perth’s CBD, the City of Bayswater covers an area of 34.6 square kilometres and had a population of 65,050 as at Census 2016.

In May this year, Bayswater Council adopted a $5.09 million local economic and social stimulus package aimed at fast-tracking major projects. The package included around $100,000 in funding for solar installations on various community buildings.

Bayswater Bowling and Recreation Club (BBRC) and Les Hansman Library in Morley had their systems installed this month, while solar panel installations occurred at Morley Windmills Soccer Club, Bayswater Morley District Cricket Club and Morley Noranda Recreation Club in October and November.

“Including these new installations, the City now has 15 buildings powered by solar, reducing our annual carbon emissions by around 485 tonnes and saving close to $160,000 per year,” said Mayor Dan Bull. “The project brings us closer to our commitment to be 100 per cent powered by renewable energy by 2030.”

The commitment to 100% renewable electricity was made in August last year. At that time, Council was also considering joining the Cities Power Partnership, which it subsequently did.

Solar installations on City assets include a 64-kilowatt system on the roof of the Civic Centre. Noting the financial benefits of commercial solar, Council expects that system to pay for itself in just three years¹. Other buildings harvesting the energy of the sun include The RISE, Bayswater Waves and Council’s Depot.

As well as Council’s efforts, City of Bayswater residents have been embracing solar energy to slash their electricity costs. For example, solar panels in Morley are a very common sight – 4,100 systems had been installed in Morley’s postcode alone as at the end of October this year.

According to the Australian PV Institute (APVI), approximately 23.6% of dwellings in the local government area had solar panels as at the end of September this year.

Bayswater Bullish On Emissions Reduction

Beyond solar power and the 100% renewables target, City of Bayswater has set a goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Other actions Council has taken this year include introducing a fully electric car and two electric bikes to its fleet in March that are recharged at the Civic Center. Staff have been encouraged to cycle between City buildings and to offsite meetings instead of taking a car where practical.

Mayor Bull stated Council wants to see the City’s entire fossil-fuelled fleet replaced with a fleet charged with renewable energy, an approach he said is both financially and environmentally sensible.

Other initiatives include a favourite low-hanging energy efficiency fruit among councils across Australia – switching to LED lighting. More than $140,000 has been invested in LED lighting across the City so far.

Mayor Bull was one of 40 mayors across Australia to put their names to a joint statement released in October committing to COVID economic recovery solutions that not only create jobs, but also tackle climate change.