Uralla Mayor Michael Pearce said the town was “abuzz with excitement” to be leading the charge on tackling climate change and generating enough green energy to go “off the grid”. 

“It’s unbelievable,” Cr Pearce said. 

“It’s all about renewable energy and being self-sufficient ... people in Uralla realise the importance of using renewable energy because fossil fuels won’t last.”

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy Leslie Williams said Uralla would create a blueprint for other towns and communities to follow. 

“I congratulate Uralla on its quest to become Australia’s first ZNET town. The eyes of not just NSW, but those of Australia will be watching,” Mrs Williams said. 

Armidale-based non-profit Starfish Initiatives has been driving the project, and executive director Adam Blakester said Uralla was chosen because of the diversity of support; from council, community groups and businesses, as well as residents who penned letters signalling their enthusiasm for the green project. 

“Uralla was a such a standout in their application,” Mr Blakester said. 

He said the town already had “a very strong record” with implementing renewable solar projects. 

It is hoped the project will create regional jobs and make energy prices more sustainable. 

Mr Blakester said although the project would include a mixture of renewable energy generators, such as solar power and wind turbines, half the battle was in revamping current lighting and electricity systems to make them as efficient as possible.

“The first step is getting rid of that waste of energy,” he said. 

The Moreland Energy Foundation Limited have secured $105,000 in funds from the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage to prepare the business case for the Uralla ZNET project, due by June next year. 

“It’s an incredible coup for Uralla and the New England to have this capable leadership coming our way,” Mr Blakester said.