Aitken Hill Community Centre as the first council facility to become fully electrified.
A launch was celebrated on Wednesday, September 24 with mayor Jarrod Bell joining members of the Hosanna Community Group who regularly use the space for a community lunch alongside staff and event partners.
The centre has switched off gas permanently, with all appliances now powered by fully renewable electricity and supported by solar system installed on the roof.
The council said the change is expected to save around $4700 a year in energy costs while also cutting 15 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Cr Bell said the project highlighted Hume council’s dual commitment to tackling climate change and easing cost-of-living pressures.
“This major achievement at Aitken Hill Community Centre speaks to two important issues currently impacting our community – the effects of climate change, and soaring energy costs,” he said.
“While gas used to be the cheaper option, that’s no longer the case, and we are committed to making the switch to all-electric systems for cleaner, greener and cheaper energy right across Hume.”
The Aitken Hill upgrade is the first in a series of planned conversions, with all new council buildings set to run solely on electricity and existing facilities gradually being electrified.
The council said results are already proving to be significant, with solar panels being installed across more than 130 council facilities and delivering annual savings of about $800,000 and reduced emissions by roughly 4500 tonnes.
