Decision details

Moved by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Thompson –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)           in June 2019, the City of Sydney declared a climate emergency and committed to accelerate achieving net-zero emissions target by 2035;

(ii)         in July 2025, Council endorsed the City of Sydney’s Environmental Strategy 2025-2030 and committed to:

(a)         resilient and efficient operations;

(b)         efficient and climate resilient buildings;

(c)         a regenerative and inclusive city; and

(d)         strong foundations for delivery;

(iii)        specifically, Strategy Priority 9 - support renters’ access to energy efficient and climate resilient homes, and that within the City of Sydney 65% of households rent and rental properties are less energy efficient than owner-occupied homes;

(iv)        in December 2024, Council endorsed the City of Sydney’s Economic Development Strategy 2025-2035, that includes a commitment to explore community wealth building approaches that create more opportunities for diverse, inclusive, and local-ownership business models;

(v)         the Committee for Sydney’s 2025 Sydney as a Renewable Energy Zone report highlights the opportunity for Urban Renewable Energy Zones in metropolitan areas, noting that renters, apartment dwellers, and low-income households are disproportionately excluded from solar benefits, and that equitable access models, such as community batteries, are essential for a just transition;

(vi)        evidence from NSW community battery trials indicates potential household bill savings of $268–$400 per year, alongside broader system benefits including deferred network upgrades, improved power quality, increased rooftop solar hosting capacity, and annual CO₂-e abatement of ~0.56 tonnes per additional MWh of local solar self-consumption per household;

(vii)      it is estimated that at least 30% of local energy demand can be met by local energy generation and storage in the City of Sydney southern Employment Lands Zone (or the E3 Productivity support Zone in the City’s Local Environmental Plan); and

(viii)     that Ausgrid are planning a Community Power Network in nearby Botany and Mascot which will test the viability local energy generation; storage and distribution at the suburb scale. It’s hoped the trail will identify opportunities to refine the model and the regulatory framework to better cater for distributed energy resources;

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to provide a report that outlines the methodology and resources required to deliver a site-specific community battery in the City of Sydney area using the Southern Enterprise Area including Ngamuru Avenue as a case study; and  

(C)        when developing the concept design for the open space at 22 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria, the Chief Executive Officer allows for the potential installation of community battery infrastructure.

Carried unanimously.

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