Greater Western Sydney has emerged as one of the major markets for renewables, with residents, businesses and developers embracing new technologies.
More than 170 delegates gathered for the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s first-ever Sustainable Cities Summit today to hear how green innovation is protecting against blackouts and urban heat, powering development and providing not just homes, but attractive, liveable neighbourhoods.
The summit brought together leaders from government, industry and the community to discuss the future of sustainable urban development in Greater Western Sydney.
Featuring NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy and the Environment, Penny Sharpe MLC, and hosted at the Western Sydney Conference Centre in Penrith, other speakers included Penrith City Mayor, Cr Todd Carney, the Chief Executive of Greater Sydney Parklands, Joshua French, Secretary of the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Anthony Lean, A/CEO of Sydney Water, Paul Plowman, Landcom Director of Strategy & Sustainability, Lucy Sharman, and Deloitte Partner, Strategy & Transactions, Theo Psychogios.
Adam Leto, Dialogue CEO, said the public sector was partnering with industry and the community to embed strong water, energy and other sustainability practices into one of the biggest infrastructure and housing pipelines in the country.
“Western Sydney isn’t just embracing renewables, it’s owning it,” Mr Leto said. “We’re seeing it embedded at almost every level, and as we move towards net-zero over the coming decades, it’s no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have.
“In the midst of a massive growth agenda, we can’t lose sight of the importance of taking a future-focussed approach to how we plan, design and build the cities of the West.
“Residents in the region are some of the leading consumers of renewables, developers are partnering with local manufacturers and energy providers to deliver greater efficiencies, while construction companies are introducing new materials and methods to help ensure new homes and infrastructure are fit for the future.”
Minister Sharpe thanked the Dialogue for bringing leaders together to “have the conversations that we need to have with a focus on western Sydney”, as she commended Western Sydney residents for embracing renewable energy.
“The people of Western Sydney love solar. 300,000 households have already got rooftop solar in this part of the world. It’s about 2.3 giggawatts – that’s about half a coal-fired power station generating from the roofs of this place – and we’ve already got around 4,000 households with batteries.
“With the federal battery incentive program, three of the top 10 suburbs nationally are in Western Sydney. It’s an incredible story of people taking action already.”
Dialogue partners Endeavour Energy today announced a joint $136.7 million investment with Transgrid for a new electricity infrastructure project to power growth areas and precincts around the Aerotropolis to ensure reliable energy supply for decades to come.
Colin Crisafulli, Endeavour Energy General Manager Future Grid & Asset Management, was a speaker at the event. He said the project would build a smarter, stronger network for Western Sydney.