Nillumbik Council is one step closer to building solar farms on ex-landfill sites in Plenty and Kangaroo Ground to get parts of Nillumbik off the grid.
Council officers’ preliminary review earlier this year identified solar as the most feasible option for closed landfill sites.
A detailed feasibility study into developing a solar energy facility will focus on the Council-owned former landfill sites, with a report due by December.
Mayor Peter Clarke said while government policy, energy pricing and demand for grid-supplied electricity would influence future investment decisions, current forecasts supported a detailed investigation.
“It’s an exciting time within the renewables industry and we will to continue to make sensible decisions about solar energy that help our community adapt to its expansion,” Clarke said.
Environment and Sustainability Chair Grant Brooker said this move was in line with Council’s Climate Change Action Plan (2016 – 2021), and would be in addition to Council considering a broader energy supply plan for the Shire and continuing with actions in the Climate Plan.
“Our vision is for Council operations to be carbon neutral and for our community to not only have a low reliance on fossil fuel but to actively try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Brooker said.
Council has over 40 solar installations across the Shire with new projects currently being delivered and in planning stages.
Innovations include the Community Bank Stadium project with rechargeable batteries and Council’s first electric vehicle charge station.
