A former landfill at Shortland is being assessed as a potential renewable energy site under City of Newcastle’s draft Climate Action Plan 2026–2030, following years of environmental remediation work at the location.
The Astra Street site, which operated as a landfill from 1974 to 1995, is now proposed as the Astra Street Community Energy Precinct. The concept includes solar generation, battery storage and heavy electric vehicle charging infrastructure, subject to council approval of a business case.
Councillors are due to vote next week on whether to place the draft Climate Action Plan on public exhibition, giving the community an opportunity to provide feedback in early 2026.
A remediated site with limited future uses
The 60-hectare Astra Street landfill, located at 2 Astra Street, Shortland, underwent extensive remediation after closing in 1995. The eastern portion of the site is leased to the Newcastle Golf Practice Centre.
In 2022, City of Newcastle began capping and reshaping the landfill to improve drainage and support long-term environmental management. Landscaping works followed, including the planting of native species and the construction of access roads. These measures were designed to reduce water entering the landfill, limit movement into nearby waterways and minimise the escape of landfill gas.
City of Newcastle continues to carry out environmental monitoring across the site to protect surrounding wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
Energy infrastructure proposed for Astra Street
If approved, the Community Energy Precinct could include a 10-megawatt solar farm and a 20-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System. The site could also provide heavy electric vehicle charging for council vehicles and local commercial operators.
The proposal includes the potential for a community energy sharing model and an expansion of landfill gas collection and flaring to generate carbon credits.
The project is intended to help meet City of Newcastle’s renewable electricity requirements while creating local energy infrastructure on land that cannot be used for housing or other intensive development.
Climate Action Plan sets emissions targets
The draft Climate Action Plan 2026–2030 outlines actions to reach net zero emissions from City of Newcastle operations by 2030 and to support a city-wide transition to net zero by 2040.
City of Newcastle Executive Manager Environment and Sustainability Marnie Kikken said the plan had been developed using community input and technical analysis.
“The CAP 2030 has been developed through extensive community consultation, economic modelling, best-practice research and cost-benefit analysis,” Ms Kikken said.
The plan includes measures such as electrifying council vehicles, trialling renewable diesel, replacing gas systems with electric alternatives and setting a target of net zero emissions from landfill gas by 2040.
Investment, funding and expected return
Implementing the Climate Action Plan would require an estimated $42 million in capital investment over five years. City of Newcastle plans to seek at least half of that funding through grants and commercial partnerships.
If fully delivered, the council estimates annual returns of between $3.5 million and $4 million by 2030 from energy generation income, reduced electricity costs, fuel savings and reduced gas use.
Community role and next steps
Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe said the plan builds on previous council actions and community feedback.
“While the NES sets the long-term vision, the CAP2030 turns that vision into the steps we will take over the next five years,” Cr McCabe said.
If councillors endorse public exhibition of the draft plan, residents will be invited to provide feedback in early 2026 before any final decisions are made on the Astra Street site or other Climate Action Plan measures.
