Green light for fairer energy future in Wollongong

City leaders have signed off on a plan to make clean electricity cheaper for everyone – not just those who own a roof or have the money for a solar system.

In a show of unity, Labor, Liberal, Greens and independent councillors all voted to adopt the Wollongong Energy Equity Framework at Monday night’s WCC meeting.

“Renters and households facing pressures, financial pressures, must also have opportunities to benefit," Ward 3 councillor Linda Campbell said. 

“Environmental responsibility and social fairness must go hand in hand.”

While those who've switched to solar power can cook, cool and light their homes for next to nothing this summer, council research has found almost one in five Wollongong households may struggle with “energy hardship”. This is when more than 10 per cent of household income is spent on electricity. 

Suburbs where the highest proportion of households spend 11 per cent or more of their income on energy are Warrawong (26 per cent), Cringila (21 per cent), Berkeley (19 per cent), Bellambi (19 per cent) and Windang-Primbee (19 per cent).

Greens Ward 2 councillor Kit Docker, who today launched his state campaign for the seat of Keira in the 2027 NSW election, told Monday’s meeting the new framework could reduce inequality. 

“The report rightfully highlights that across Wollongong, residential solar uptake is around 35 per cent. That's considerable and impressive, but in less fortunate areas like Bellambi, for example, it drops all the way down to less than 18 per cent.”

With Bellambi having the most social housing, Ward 1 Liberal councillor Ryan Morris suggested “some advocacy from ourselves might be warranted” as he’d found no details of clean energy guidance on the NSW Government’s Bellambi Estate renewal webpage.

In response, Labor’s Ward 1 councillor Richard Martin said: “The NSW government, and including the Australian government, are investing $320 million dollars, targeting 37,500 social homes, and 24,000 by June ’27 – rooftop solar systems, home batteries, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, heat-pump water heaters, ceiling insulation.

"So I agree with you that we've got to advocate it. We've got to make sure that the developers that are developing the program over there are aware of the programs that the state government's [got] going.”

The new roadmap runs on four principles – equitable program design, energy literacy, advocacy and policy, and collaboration –and it’s already received the green light from a University of Wollongong energy expert.

Energy Futures Network Director Ty Christopher said he “strongly welcomes” the framework.

“It is an important and timely recognition that the clean energy transition must be about more than reducing emissions – it must also deliver fairer access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for everyone in our community.”

Now that council has adopted the framework, stakeholders are invited to become signatories of it. Stakeholders come from many fields – including the university, business, government and the not-for-profit sector, which is where the City of Innovation really shines.

“The Illawarra has a remarkable foundation to build upon,” Ty Christopher said.

“Community organisations and advocates, including Rewiring Australia, Hi Neighbour, the Knitting Nannas and many others, have been championing practical solutions and ensuring that community voices are heard in the energy transition.

“At the University of Wollongong, we see the energy transition as an opportunity to deliver not only technological innovation and economic development, but also meaningful social and community benefits. Ensuring that no one is left behind is entirely consistent with the university's commitment to research, education and delivering positive impact in our region.

“What I particularly welcome about council's framework is its recognition that achieving energy equity requires collaboration between government, researchers, industry and the community. The expertise, passion and willingness to work together already exist here in the Illawarra.”

“This framework provides an excellent foundation for bringing those strengths together and turning our shared aspirations into practical outcomes — lower household energy costs, greater access to clean energy technologies and a fairer energy future for all.”

Energy inequity in Wollongong echoes national trends. Council’s data shows low-income households, renters, social housing tenants and apartment dwellers face the biggest barriers in upgrading to affordable electricity from the sun.  

The Wollongong Energy Equity Assessment found the suburbs with the lowest residential solar density were Bellambi (17.9 per cent), Avondale (18.8 per cent), Warrawong (19.3 per cent), Fernhill (20.7 per cent) and Windang (22.1 per cent).

Council also found energy poverty was also a "considerable" public health concern. "Residents avoiding the use of heating and cooling due to cost constraints face increased health and wellbeing risks," the report said.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said council has noted clear gaps in affordability and awareness of the clean energy transition.

“As a local government leader in this space, we play an essential role in responding to that and advocating for our community,” she said.