Achieving Net Zero Emissions and Water Efficiency

Council is committed to becoming a net zero emissions organisation by 2050, if not sooner. During the development of the Hawkesbury Community Strategic Plan 2017-2036, the community told us that they want to live sustainably and reduce their ecological footprint.

In response to this, Council has already implemented a number of sustainability measures for its own operations, including:

• 90% of Council’s electricity is now powered by renewable energy
• under the Hawkesbury City Solar program, Council has installed 2,776 solar panels producing 764kW across 12 Council facilities and saving 800 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions per year
• changed street lighting to LED street lights saving more than 3,260 tonnes CO2e emissions over the next 20 years
• installation of LED lighting in Council facilities
• Council has also been working on its recycled water management which during the recent drought allowed Council to offer the ‘Baling for our Backyard’ initiative. Bales of Lucerne were offered to local farmers at a discounted rate. The bales were grown using recycled water from Council’s McGraths Hill Waste Water Treatment Facility

Council is now developing a Net Zero Emissions and Water Efficiency Strategy to further its commitment to reduce emissions and become more environmentally sustainable.

By completing this short survey, you will be contributing to Council’s approach to becoming a net zero emissions organisation. You will also be letting Council know how we can assist you to reduce your household or workplace emissions. Have your say about how you feel about Council’s initiatives, and tell us what you are already doing to reduce your ecological footprint.

Your feedback is valuable. The survey should take you less than 10 minutes to complete.

Should you have any enquiries with respect to this matter, please contact Adriana Genova, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator on (02) 4560 4444 or attention email enquiries council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au