Sunshine Coast Solar Farm takes out planning award

Sunshine Coast Council wins Smart Cities awards.

Sunshine Coast Solar Farm has won a major award for ‘innovation and excellence’ in planning.

The new solar farm was recognised at the 2017 Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Awards for Planning Excellence (Queensland).

The installation won the Wendy Chadwick Encouragement Award celebrating innovation and promise. It was completed in July this year.

This is also a pat on the back for Sunshine Coast Council (SCC), who drove the project.

According to organisers, it showcases how local governments can actively lead energy projects.

This subsequently takes the energy debate away from Commonwealth and state governments alone.

Sunshine Coast Solar Farm also unique

Notably, Sunshine Coast Council is Australia’s first local government to build a utility scale solar farm.

Sunshine Coast Solar Farm has won a major planning award.
Sunshine Coast Solar Farm, built by Sunshine Coast Council, has won a major award for planning excellence. Image: Sunshine Coast Council

The large-scale solar power farm is also the first in South East Queensland to connect to the Energex grid.

The Council was nominated in three out of 10 PIA Award categories and received two commendations.

Specifically, the solar farm ‘showed the greatest promise of achieving the vision of excellence in Queensland’.

The PIA Awards recognise individuals, companies, community groups and public sector agencies in Queensland. This is for innovation, leadership and excellence.

Therefore, they showcase planning quality and boost public awareness of outstanding projects.

Council sets ambitious renewable target

Notably, SCC is Australia’s first local government to offset electricity consumption across all facilities and operations.

This will subsequently be done using renewable energy generated at the 15MW Sunshine Coast Solar Farm.

It will power administration buildings, aquatic centres, community and also performance venues. Holiday parks, libraries, art galleries and sporting facilities are also covered.

The farm will provide $22 million in net savings. The estimate covers a 30-year period based on today’s electricity costs.

Sunshine Coast Council aims to be Australia’s most sustainable region in terms of renewables like solar energy storage. The solar farm is a vital part of this vision.

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