A local government-led energy initiative in Western Sydney is expanding with eight councils now participating in the emissions-busting program.

Camden Council is the latest to join the Western Sydney Energy Program, which started almost ten years ago as a street light replacement program and now aims to reduce Western Sydney’s emissions by 200,000 tonnes of CO2e a year.

The other participating councils are Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Cumberland, Hawkesbury, Hills Shire, Liverpool and Parramatta.

The program is co-ordinated by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), which works with members to support a wide range of projects including lighting, equipment upgrades, preparation for EVs and solar installations.

The first LED lights were installed in May 2015. Today the program covers a range of renewable and clean energy projects including virtual power plants, community batteries, EV fleet transition and charging infrastructure.

Recent initiatives include the rollout of 52,200 new LED streetlights in partnership with Endeavour Energy to replace less efficient mercury vapour bulbs.

The program focuses on four main pillars:

• Renewable energy transformation
• Low emissions transport
• Reducing community energy costs
• Precinct planning and design

WSROC President Barry Calvert says so far the program has saved councils $25 million.

“Western Sydney is undoubtedly large and growing. However, our infrastructure, economy and community provide both challenges and opportunities relating to energy,” Cr Calvert said in a statement.

Having Camden Council join the Western Sydney Energy Program will greatly enhance the program’s potential for integrated planning and investments to further future-proof the region and increase its resilience.

SWROC President Barry Calvert

“Having Camden Council join the Western Sydney Energy Program will greatly enhance the program’s potential for integrated planning and investments to further future-proof the region and increase its resilience.”

Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli says Camden is one of the fastest growing LGAs in Australia, with more than 100 new residents arriving each week.

“It’s important that we work hard to look after the environment around us, as well as help our residents live happily and comfortably – and helping to lower community energy costs will go a long way to doing that,” she said in a statement.