(City of Newcastle)
Newy 87.8 FM – City of Newcastle councillors have voted to endorse the Newcastle Climate Action Plan 2026–2030, a roadmap of 77 actions aimed at achieving net zero emissions in the City's operations by 2030.
The plan ensures climate action will be considered across all City of Newcastle operations, including maintaining a 100 per cent renewable electricity supply, expanding the battery network, and transitioning the fleet, plant and equipment to electric or low emission alternatives.
City of Newcastle's Executive Manager Environment and Sustainability Marnie Kikken said achieving net zero emissions in the City's operations would require an additional $42 million in investment over the next five years, with at least 50 per cent to be sought through state and federal grants, commercial partnerships and other funding mechanisms.
The City has already secured $5 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency for a battery deployment program, including a 10MWh battery at the Summerhill solar farm and another 3.8MWh across 11 batteries at its facilities.
The plan also supports a Newcastle-wide transition to net zero by 2040, in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
A total of 239 submissions were received during public exhibition, with almost 80 per cent agreeing climate action is a high priority and 83 per cent supportive of nature-based solutions such as urban greening, tree planting and ecosystem restoration.
The proposed Astra Street Community Energy Precinct resonated strongly with respondents as a tangible project combining renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure and repurposing of underutilised land.
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