Some of Gosnells’ biggest facilities are now running on 100 percent renewable electricity, as the City looks in a fresh deal to cut carbon emissions and slash power costs.
The City has signed a new three-year contract under the Western Australian Local Government Association’s (WALGA) Sustainable Energy Supply project, continuing its push toward a greener future.
The deal covers 25 of the City’s highest energy-consuming sites, including the Civic Centre and Mills Park Centre, which together accounts for 70 percent of the City’s total electricity use. Both centres also offer electric vehicle fast-charging stations for public and fleet use.
Mayor Terresa Lynes said the decision to renew the partnership was driven by the City’s commitment to its Sustainability Action Plan and the need to keep costs down.
“Participating in phase 2 of the project and leveraging the collective purchasing power of the local government sector has given the City access to cheaper electricity rates than available on the open market,” she said.
Electricity emissions have already dropped by more than 60 percent thanks to the shift to renewable energy. The City also estimates it would be paying around 17 percent more for electricity if it had stayed on the open market.
“Containing costs is the most important thing the City can do to reduce pressure on rates,” Mayor Lynes said.
The deal builds on a successful three-year trial involving nearly 50 councils across WA, which saved a total of $34.7 million and offset around 120,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The City has also been expanding its own renewable energy capacity. Solar panels have now been installed at 14 sites across Gosnells, boosting total solar generation capacity to more than 400KW. The City will soon audit its buildings to look for more opportunities to improve energy efficiency and increase on-site renewable generation and storage.
More sustainable projects are on the way. Mayor Lynes said the City was replacing street and park lighting with LEDs, continuing its water-saving efforts, and preparing to open its own tree nursery in 2025-2026.
“Once fully developed, the nursery will produce thousands of trees each year to be planted across the City,” she said.
Mayor Lynes encouraged residents to get involved in climate action through the Switch Your Thinking program, which offers workshops, audit kits, and helpful tips for saving energy and water.
“I recommend people visit the City’s website at Gosnells.wa.gov.au for more information,” she said.
