The City of Mandurah has received its first six-month update under its new contestable energy supply contract, which supports the City’s renewable energy goals.
The contract forms part of the WALGA Sustainable Energy Project, which brings together 50 local governments to secure competitive and sustainable energy arrangements.
In February 2025, Council resolved to purchase electricity for its 35 largest buildings, all contestable sites, with 50 per cent of electricity consumption matched with accredited GreenPower and the remaining 50 per cent supplied under a standard electricity contract. Smaller, non-contestable sites remain on standard regulated tariffs.
All electricity supplied in Australia already includes a mandatory renewable component under the Federal Government’s Renewable Energy Target. For 2025, this Renewable Power Percentage is 17.91 per cent and is automatically included in every electricity bill through the surrender of Large-scale Generation Certificates.
The City’s GreenPower purchase goes beyond this mandatory requirement by increasing the renewable share of energy used at major facilities such as the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, the Administration Building, the Operations Centre and key community facilities. These large sites offer the greatest potential for reducing emissions through renewable energy and efficient energy management.
While the higher renewable component comes at an additional cost than a standard energy contract, the decision aligns with Council’s long-term commitment to achieve a minimum 25 per cent of its total energy use from renewable sources by 2030 – a target set by Council in 2019.
Over the first six months of the contract, the additional amount over a standard energy contract equated to approximately $52,115.
Early results show that renewable energy now makes up 24.05 per cent of the City’s operations, helping reduce emissions and keeping the City on track for its 2030 target.
This investment sits alongside a range of other practical actions the City is taking to reduce and offset its environmental footprint. These include:
- Urban canopy and tree planting: In 2024/25, the City planted 1,000 trees across parks, reserves and road reserves, well above target, helping absorb carbon, provide shade and cool public spaces.
- Renewable energy on City facilities: Through the City’s Solar Plan, 743 kilowatts of solar panels have been installed on City buildings, reducing reliance on grid electricity.
- Water reuse and efficiency: Recycled water is used to irrigate parks and reserves through managed aquifer recharge, contributing to a 63 per cent increase in recycled water use and reducing demand on scheme water.
- Waste reduction: The City now sends the majority of its residual household waste to waste-to-energy, diverting around 850 tonnes per week from landfill and reducing methane emissions.
- Energy efficiency upgrades: LED lighting has been installed at community facilities and decorative street lighting has been progressively replaced, lowering electricity use and operating costs.
Together, these measures reflect a balanced approach of reducing emissions where the City has direct control, meeting national requirements, and making targeted investments where there is a clear environmental benefit for the community.
Background information:
- The City’s contestable energy contract operates under the WALGA Sustainable Energy Project, which includes 50 participating local governments.
- The City accepted the Synergy Preferred Offer valued at $4.93 million over three years with 50% renewable energy content.
- The agreement supports the City’s renewable energy target of 25% of total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030.
- Major sites include the MARC, Administration Building, Operations Centre and multiple community facilities.
