Singleton Council has unveiled a $2.74 million program to cut emissions, reduce energy costs, and modernise major community assets, backed by the Federal Government. The upgrades will be delivered across Singleton Gym + Swim, the Singleton Sewage Treatment Plant, and Lake St Clair.
From this month, ageing gas, mechanical and electrical systems will be replaced with modern electric technologies, alongside new solar generation, battery storage, and improved control systems. The works are designed to deliver long‑term savings and boost reliability in what Council describes as a constrained regional energy network.
Acting General Manager Dwight Graham said the investment reflected a practical, community‑focused approach to sustainability.
“This program is all about making smart investments that deliver long‑term value for our community,” he said.
“By upgrading facilities people use every day, we’re reducing costs, cutting emissions, and building resilience into our services, without passing that burden onto future generations.”
The 40‑year‑old Singleton Gym + Swim will see the most significant changes, including the replacement of gas‑fired hot water systems with electric heat pumps, new LED lighting, and Council’s first fast electric vehicle charger on Council land. Those upgrades alone are expected to cut 285 tonnes of emissions per year and reduce gas use by 77 per cent.
Visitors to Lake St Clair will benefit from a new off‑grid solar battery system powering the amenities, eliminating forecast energy costs and reducing emissions by a further 15 tonnes annually.
Mr Graham said the Gym + Swim and Sewage Treatment Plant projects together would save 1.7 million kilowatt‑hours each year and cut 380 tonnes of emissions.
“These projects show how regional councils like Singleton can lead the transition to cleaner energy in a responsible, affordable way that delivers real local benefits,” he said.
The program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund.
