Moved by Councillor Ellsmore, seconded by
Councillor Thompson -
It
is resolved that:
(A)
Council
note that:
(i)
the
City of Sydney is strongly committed to supporting renters’ access to efficient
and climate resilient homes
(ii)
the
City of Sydney also has a large proportion (over 80%) of people living in
apartments. The number of people living in apartments is estimated to grow in
the future
(iii)
key
barriers to renters accessing renewable energy like solar or installing
batteries includes cost, poor security of tenure (i.e. being forced to move
regularly), requirements to get landlord permission to install solar or a
battery, and a lack of obligation on landlords themselves to install energy
efficiency or renewable energy measures
(iv)
for
people living in apartments, key barriers to installing solar or a battery include: lack of access to roof space, cost, requirements of
strata, regulations, and practical challenges for installation, including in
connecting to the electrical grid of an apartment building
(v)
technology
changes have seen the introduction of both solar panels and smaller, household
batteries that can be plugged into household electricity systems. This includes
on balconies and other small spaces like apartments
(vi)
key
benefits of plug-in solar and/ or batteries for renters include that the
systems are smaller, and they are not permanently installed – so they can move
with the renter, providing access to renewable energy and cheaper power bills
in the short and long term
(vii)
countries
like the UK and Germany have developed specific regulation and safety
requirements to encourage plug-in solar and batteries in houses and apartments
(viii)
however,
in Australia plug in solar and battery systems are not currently approved to be
installed using a standard Australian power point
(ix)
in
September 2026, Australian energy ministers met through the Energy and Climate
Change Ministerial Council, and agreed to work
together to identify measures to support plug in solar and battery systems. The
Commonwealth will lead the work, in partnership with states and territories
(B)
Council
agree to explore opportunities for people living in the City of Sydney to
access plug in solar and battery systems (also known as plug-in consumer energy
resource (CER) devices)
(C)
the
Chief Executive Officer be requested to provide advice to Council about the
work being undertaken by the Commonwealth and the State, how Council can
support this work, and other opportunities for Council to enable and encourage
plug in solar and battery systems in the inner-city, especially for renters and
people living in apartments.
Carried unanimously.
X113765