A $5 million investment will ensure the Charlestown Swim Centre becomes the first pool in Lake Macquarie to be 100% solar-powered.
During the week, the Australian Government announced it would provide $2.5 million under its Community Energy Upgrades program for the work.
It’s understood Lake Macquarie City Council matched the funding dollar-for-dollar.
That’ll pave the way for new solar installation, the replacement of gas boilers with electric heat pumps, and LED floodlighting.
Solar PV panels are slated to be fitted on the roof of the existing main building, too, as well as shade structures over an upgraded south-western car park.
Lake Macquarie City mayor Adam Shultz said the project would have the dual benefits of reducing the site’s carbon footprint and making council more financially sustainable.
“Charlestown Swim Centre is currently one of the single biggest users of electricity and natural gas in the LGA,” he explained.
“That’s due to the need to heat and light its pools.
“Switching to electric will reduce CO2 emissions by about 420 tonnes a year, which is equivalent to powering 60 homes over the same period.
“It will also save us almost $130,000 annually in electricity and gas bills.”
The project also includes the expansion of the existing paved car park to formalise parking spaces in the current gravel section of parking off Dickinson Street.
Work is expected to begin this financial year and be completed by 2028.
For more news stories:
- Plans afoot for Speers Point Park’s next adventure
- 2026 School Sport Australia Games to inject $4.5m into Newcastle economy
- Upper Hunter inmates help horses trot into new chapter
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
