The 34 kW rooftop solar power system that will be relocated from the Leeton Pool to the Whitton Pool. Photo: Supplied.
Leeton Regional Aquatic Centre and Whitton Swimming Pool is set to receive energy upgrades ahead of the 2026 swimming season.
Leeton Shire Council has secured $203,006 in grant funding from the Australian Government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF) Round 1, with council co-contributing $203,006 to the project from pre-approved capital expenditure funds.
The CEUF is a $100 million grant program that provides local governments with matched funding to encourage more energy upgrades, with the goal to help lower emissions and reduce energy costs.
Energy upgrades can be done at sporting fields, libraries, and community centres, and include replacing energy-intensive heating in pools with heat pumps, installing energy-efficient lighting or adding battery storage.
Leeton Council is one of 17 successful councils in NSW and 58 across Australia to receive this grant.
Leeton Shire Council Portfolio Lead for Environmental Sustainability Sarah Tiffen said the injection of funds by the Federal Government would be good for the community and the environment.
“Our local public pools are one of our greatest assets, and going solar has been an important step towards future-proofing these assets,” Cr Tiffen said.
“It is also better for the environment, and our budget bottom-line.”
Executive Manager Utilities, Environment and Emergency Services Luke Tedesco said this was part of council’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint.
Key project activities will include:
- Constructing solar shade structures and installing a new 99 kW solar power system at the Leeton Regional Aquatic Centre
- Relocating the existing 34 kW rooftop solar power system from the Leeton Regional Aquatic Centre at the Whitton Swimming Pool
- Decommissioning the existing natural gas heating system for the shallow pools at the Leeton Regional Aquatic Centre and installing a new solar heating system and heat pump as a booster.
“The solar power upgrades and heat pump installation will not only improve energy efficiency but also contribute to our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 132 tonnes per year,” Mr Tedesco said.
Cr Tiffen believes these upgrades will have positive impacts on the cost of running these services and the environment.
“Along with exciting new wind farm and solar battery proposals in the pipeline for our part of the world, this funding shows confidence that Leeton and the region is well-positioned for significant renewable energy investment,” Cr Tiffen added.
“This means money and jobs, and a healthier environment.”
The CEUF will deliver funding over two grant rounds, with the second round of funding to be announced later this year or early 2026.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister hopes this funding will put Australia one step closer to achieving net zero.
“Local governments are on the front line of combating climate change, which is why we’re partnering on major projects to save energy and decarbonise public facilities,” Ms McAllister said.
“By helping local governments decarbonise their operations, these projects can help drive the installation of energy efficiency and electrification technology across the economy and make a real difference on the path to net zero.
“Our government wants to make every watt count and this investment is part of the government’s $1.7 billion Energy Savings Package to help households, businesses and community facilities save energy and money.”
