Gunnedah Shire Council will invest in significant solar projects for key community infrastructure, thanks to $439,815 in Australian Government funding.
One of 66 local governments across Australia selected for the Community Energy Upgrades Fund program, Council will match the funding to support projects at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex, Gunnedah Sewerage Treatment Plan and Number 8 Bore on Orange Grove Road.
As part of a national initiative to improve energy efficiency and electrification in community facilities, Council will carry out $879,630 worth of projects including:
- Installation of a new solar system and automated filtration controls at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex. The work will include a new commercial 455-watt, 80-panel solar system with solar edge-optimised inverter. The pool upgrade will also include installation of automate valves, filtration, and chlorine analysers, including energy monitoring and controls via new variable speed drives, and connection to the Scada System for better energy control and monitoring, and chemical consumption and monitoring.
- Installation of new 210 x 415-watt sun cell solar panels at the Gunnedah Sewerage Treatment Plant. The project will also include the installation of an inverter and DC optimiser and solar energy meter.
- Installation of solar panels at the Number 8 Bore on Orange Grove Road. The installation will also include a DC optimiser, inverter and solar energy meter.
Council's Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the funding was a major step towards Gunnedah Shire's commitment to maximise energy efficiency, reduce energy bills, and improve energy security and independence.
"Without external funding, the proposed solar installations were unlikely to go ahead in the short-term, so it's great news for the Shire that Council can now move forward with these upgrades," Jeremy said.
"In particular, the project at the pool complex will create positive changes by supporting staff behind-the-scenes by reducing manual processes and making it safer, while also giving staff more reliable control of the filtration and chemical management systems.
"We look forward to delivering these valuable projects for our community."
Work on the upgrades will start in the coming months and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Water Services Michael Ludlow and Keshan Dharmasena Water Services Engineer at the site of the planned solar upgrades for Number 8 Bore on Orange Grove Road, Gunnedah.
