A switch to solar power at several major Orange sites including street lighting in the CBD has led to Orange's energy bills being cut.
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A report to Orange City Council has revealed the council energy use in the first quarter of 2021 was the lowest for four years.
The figures show council used just over three million kilowatt hours of energy whereas the figure for each of the past two years was about four million kilowatt hours.
Cr Stephen Nugent said it was 'a fantastic result."
It feels much safer at night
- Cr Joanne McRae
Council's director of technical services Ian Greenham said solar installation at the Orange Regional Airport was 'now kicking into use and offsetting quite a bit' while solar power was also reducing energy use at sites including Suma Park and the Orange Aquatic Centre.
Cr Joanne McRae said the new street lighting was 'excellent work.'
"I walk around the city a lot it feels much safer at night," she said.
"Business owners [are] commenting particularly on tourists who are loving the nightscape of the city."
A report to council said the lighting will soon also be connected in McNamara Street where Future City revamp works are continuing.
"The white-way lighting in McNamara Street has been energised and will be connected to council's computer network within the next few weeks so that the scheduling of lighting can be facilitated," it said.
"It is anticipated that within the next two weeks, all concrete footpath works will be complete.
"Civil works still to be completed include the installation of tree pits and trees, road and carpark resurfacing and the installation of festoon lighting."
"To minimise festoon lighting costs, the design of the catenary structure to support the lights has been given to a local firm with a view to letting a construct only-contract in preference to a design and construct-contract. This will also provide a greater opportunity for local firms to quote on construction."
Meanwhile council was also told residents' water use was continuing to be well below the target of 220 megalitres a day under the now permanent minimum of Level 2 restrictions.
"Average daily residential water consumption during the week ending April 16, 2021 was 144 litres per person per day," it said.
Suma Park Dam is 65.75 per cent full while Spring Creek Dam is full.
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