Wollongong schools should be set up with solar power - with the help of council, according to councillor Cath Blakey.
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The Greens councillor has a notice of motion at Monday night's council meeting to call for participation in the Solar My School program.
The program is a joint initiative of Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra councils which helps schools in their areas through the steps to install solar power.
Shellharbour and Wingecarribee are the two councils in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands that are already on board and Cr Blakey wanted Wollongong to join them.
"I've had a number of requests from parents to get on board the Solar My Schools program," Cr Blakey said.
"This is a great local partnership, providing the technical support for feasibility studies and site assessment, and support for grant applications.
"If council joins with this initiative, we can get more solar panels on school roof tops, helping them to reduce schools' operating costs and generate clean energy."
Schools are great sites for solar power - they've got expansive roofs and high daytime use.
- Wollongong councillor Mithra Cox
With council having declared a climate emergency, Cr Blakey felt the program would fit in with the organisation's moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"The Solar My Schools program is another way we can support our community in reducing emissions from the 82 schools in our city," Cr Blakey said.
Fellow Greens councillor Mithra Cox said schools provided an ideal site for solar panels.
"Schools are great sites for solar power - they've got expansive roofs and high daytime use," Cr Cox said.
"Many schools are spending thousands of dollars a year on electricity bills, that could otherwise be spent on teaching staff or new books for the library.
"It's so important that all schools have access to solar panels - and the savings that come with them - not just schools in wealthier suburbs."
Meanwhile, solar panels on the Stewart Street car park are now powering council's administration building.
The 549 panels also provide shade for vehicles in the car park.
"Council is committed to reaching our zero emissions target," Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said, "and we've utilised the latest solar technology to maximise the benefits and performance of the panels into the future."
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Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
