(Community Recognition Statement, 28 July 2020, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

On behalf of the Sydney Electorate, I congratulate the City of Sydney on its move to being entirely powered by renewable electricity. From 1 July, wind and solar farms in regional NSW are producing power for all the City's 75 parks, five swimming pools and 23,000 street lights, plus 115 buildings like libraries, community centres and offices. This is a significant step in the council's sustainability program – real actions to reduce emissions and increase efficiency, and continuing the progress to achieve the Sustainable Sydney 2030 goals ahead of original targets. Ratepayers will be better off financially, with costs reduced by half a million dollars a year and price certainty over the next decade. And Wagga Wagga, Glenn Innes and Shoalhaven will benefit from the infrastructure, jobs and income from these wind and solar projects. Flow Power arranged the contract with Sapphire Wind Farm, Bomen Solar Farm and the community generator Repower Shoalhaven. This is the largest standalone renewables power purchase agreement for an Australian council to date and I hope there will be many more. The City under Lord Mayor Clover Moore and her team have shown the way.