Switch off for Earth Hour in support of protecting our planet

Tuesday, 14 March 2023

Penrith City Council is a proud supporter of Earth Hour and is encouraging the community to join us as we take part in the global movement on Saturday, 25 March 2023 between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

Each year, Council celebrates Earth Hour by turning off non-essential lighting at its facilities across the City for the full hour between 8.30pm to 9.30pm.   

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said that Council will lead by example and encourages residents to join the movement and switch off for Earth Hour in a show of support for creating a better future for our people and our planet.  

“Earth Hour is a powerful way for Penrith residents to show their commitment to shaping our future. If we all turn out the lights for just one hour during the Earth Hour initiative, we can all make a difference,” Cr Hitchen said.  

“I encourage residents to consider how they can make simple changes that will lead to a better future for our City and the generations to come – whether that’s deciding to swap your electricity for solar power, simply choosing to ride a bike to work instead of driving, or planting a native tree in your yard,” she said.     

“Council is a leader in sustainability and is committed to playing our part by growing our environmental initiatives, reducing our emissions and encouraging our community to do the same.”   

In addition to switching off for Earth Hour each year, Council has delivered many other sustainable initiatives, including:  

• Council’s Electric Vehicle (EV), a Renault Kangoo, turns four this year and has travelled 60,166km and been recharged using 100% Greenpower with a cost of only $1,260 (as of 1 Feb 2023). The EV does not create any greenhouse gas emissions when driven and is powered only by renewable energy. 

• the installation of rooftop solar systems at Council facilities to generate renewable energy. In 2021-22 Council generated 1,507GJ of electricity from the solar systems at 43 sites across the LGA.  

• extra LED lighting at Council facilities to reduce energy consumption and re-direct costs to other important resources. 

• our partnership with Endeavour Energy to upgrade all remaining non-LED streetlights (approximately 9,808 lights) to an energy efficiency LED fitting, saving 3,424,623 kWh per annum and equating to a reduction of 2,774 tco2e. 

• Council’s 10-year renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement, seeing our large sites, small smart-metered sites and street lighting now powered with renewable energy generated by a NSW solar farm.  

• Our ongoing commitment to plant more trees across our City, restore and protect bushland areas, and create a green corridor network to mitigate climate impacts such as urban heat.  

Remember to switch off for Earth Hour on Saturday 25 March from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. To find out more visit earthhour.org.au

Learn more about Council’s sustainable initiatives and goals at penrith.city/sustainability

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Tuesday, 14 March 2023.