Blue Mountains Council secures funding to improve aquatic centre energy efficiency

Blue Mountains Council owned aquatic centres will have their energy efficiency improved following Council having successfully secured funding from the Federal Government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF).

Coinciding with the 25-year anniversary of Council’s Sustainable Blue Mountains initiative, the grant is a significant step in the Council’s commitment to sustainability.

The $1.67 million grant will fund a variety of energy-saving upgrades, including the installation of heat pumps, battery storage, pool covers, and energy-efficient pumps across seven Council sites: Glenbrook Swimming Centre, Springwood Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Lawson Swimming Centre, Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre, Blackheath Swimming Centre, Katoomba Council Chambers, and Katoomba South Street Depot.

The upgrades will help stabilise the local electricity grid, making it more accommodating to solar energy and improving energy security.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill noted “these projects will help Council save money and improve the energy resilience of our local infrastructure, building a more sustainable future for generations to come.

“The energy-saving measures will also create additional benefits for the local community, including increased solar integration, improved access to local services and eventually more available funds for essential services.”

Local State Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman added "this is about reducing energy use, lowering emissions, and therefore helping Blue Mountains City Council keep energy costs down in the long term.

“Swimming centres and Council premises throughout the Blue Mountains will benefit from practical improvements like the installation of new heat pumps, more efficient pool pumps and battery storage as well as the replacement of gas heating and upgraded air conditioning.

“This significant new investment will help modernise vital community infrastructure while also shrinking our carbon footprint.”

Image. Glenbrook Swimming Centre Credit: Blue Mountains City Council