Ipswich in Winter 2025

Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Cr Jim Madden recently inspected the hundreds of solar panels installed on the roof of the Ipswich Central Library.

Ipswich City Council’s largest rooftop solar system has been installed on Ipswich Central Library, providing a huge reduction in costs and emissions. The construction of a 200-kilowatt system on the Nicholas Street Precinct building is a landmark moment for Ipswich as the city responds to climate change. Significant rooftop solar power systems have previously been installed on council’s main administrative building at 1 Nicholas Street, as well as the Rosewood Library, however this is the biggest so far. About 400 solar panels now sit atop Ipswich Central Library and will soon harness the sun’s power to produce more than 270 megawatts of energy per year, reducing council’s carbon footprint by an estimated 230 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. COUNCIL’S BIGGEST ROOFTOP SOLAR PROJECT ON THE BOOKS

Sustainability remains a focus for council as Ipswich’s population rapidly grows, with initiatives outlined in the Sustainability Strategy aiming to ensure Ipswich remains a great place to live for future generations. Solar panels on the 1 Nicholas Street building are preventing 77 tonnes of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere per year while providing an $11,000 saving on council’s power bill. Meanwhile more than 29,000 streetlights are wind-powered thanks to an agreement with local company CleanCo. View the Ipswich City Council Sustainability Strategy at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/sustainabilitystrategy

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