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Blue Mountains Council has taken advantage of the COVID-19 closures of Springwood Theatre and Aquatic Centre and furthered the reduction of its carbon footprint by installing solar panels.

The roof top solar project is part of Council’s Carbon Abatement Action Plan (CAAP), which was adopted in 2017, to identify and implement projects that demonstrate reduced carbon emissions and operational costs.

The Springwood Aquatic & Fitness Centre and the Springwood Theatre and Community Hub along with the drop-off bay at Blaxland Waste Management Facility and Katoomba Waste Management Facility are now powered by solar.

A fifth facility, the Katoomba Sports & Aquatic Centre, will also soon join the solar club, with panels to be installed later this year.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill praised the project and the teams making them possible noting “So much of 2020 has been consumed with disasters, strife and struggle. I think the community, like me, are heartened to see their Council using these unexpected closures to keep forward momentum on important and positive projects.

“We’ve already seen a considerable reduction in operational emissions since 2015, and are working hard to reach our goal of becoming carbon neutral by the end of 2025.

“These new solar panels, with a combined total of 289kW of power across all sites, will see emissions reduce by a further 313 tonnes of CO2e per year.

“It’s an exciting time and we’re proud to be championing renewable energy and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.”

Solar technology is getting better and cheaper and, according to the NSW Government’s Energy Saver website, the average Sydney household can save up to $900 a year by installing a 4-kilowatt solar system on their roof.

Image New solar panels installed on the roof of the Springwood Theatre and Community Hub, courtesy of Blue Mountains Council

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