City of Charles Sturt, City of Mitcham and Rural City of Murray Bridge recognised for their collaborative renewable energy project.

When three councils - one metropolitan, one suburban, and one regional, joined forces to tackle skyrocketing energy costs and carbon emissions, the result was bigger than anyone expected.

The Collaborative Council Power Purchase Agreement, delivered by the City of Charles Sturt, City of Mitcham, and the Rural City of Murray Bridge, is more than just a cost-saving measure. It’s a blueprint for how local government can lead on sustainability through collaboration, innovation, and shared ambition.

Celebrated as one of two winners of the Excellence in Cross Council Collaboration Award at the 2025 LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards, this project is proving that when councils work together, the benefits extend far beyond their boundaries.

A bold partnership with ripple effects

Electricity is one of the largest carbon emitters for councils - and one of the most volatile costs. Recognising they could achieve more together than alone, the three councils partnered to pioneer a hybrid Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

The model has delivered significant financial savings and dramatic carbon reductions. Just as importantly, it has inspired other councils, developers, schools, and community associations to explore similar approaches.

“What’s most rewarding is seeing the project scale beyond us,” explains Brandon Alvaro, Project Officer at the City of Mitcham. “We didn’t just solve a problem for our councils - we created a repeatable toolkit for others to follow.”

Endorsed by LGAProcurement South Australia, the initiative is now regarded as a sector pilot, setting a new standard for how councils can approach large-scale challenges.

Real results for communities

The outcomes speak volumes.

• City of Mitcham: $100,000–200,000 annual savings, with further upside from battery storage and virtual power plant participation.
• City of Charles Sturt: $600,000 annual savings, with additional future savings expected through battery solutions.
• Rural City of Murray Bridge: $175,000 annual savings, reinvested directly into an LED streetlight program.

Collectively, the councils are cutting greenhouse gas emissions significantly every year - reductions that directly contribute to South Australia’s climate goals.

Beyond the numbers, the initiative has sparked an organisational shift. Staff across all three councils gained experience in innovative procurement, risk sharing, and governance. “The skills and confidence we’ve built through this collaboration will stay with our teams long after this project,” Brandon says.

The people behind the power

Behind the scenes, the success of the Collaborative PPA comes down to people - teams who were willing to take a bold idea and turn it into reality.

At Mitcham, the project team included procurement, sustainability, and innovation specialists. At Charles Sturt, leaders from City Futures, City Operations, and Sustainability worked side by side. Murray Bridge brought financial and corporate expertise to the table.

Externally, CQ Energy provided expert energy analysis, BRM Advisory added strategic insights, and the LGA Procurement South Australia offered endorsement and tender support. Together, these contributors created a strong foundation that other councils can now build upon.

“It was a true collaboration,” Brandon reflects. “Each partner brought something unique - and by pooling that expertise, we achieved more than any one council could have done alone.”

Recognition that fuels the future

For the three councils, winning the Excellence in Cross Council Collaboration Award is both recognition and motivation.

“It validates that local government can innovate at the highest level,” Brandon says. “It shows our communities that we’re using public funds wisely, while investing in a cleaner, more resilient future.”

The award has energised teams across the councils, creating momentum for future initiatives and reinforcing the power of collaboration.

What’s next?

The councils aren’t stopping here. Plans are already underway to expand the PPA model with new renewable assets and storage, reinvest savings into LED upgrades and community projects, and continue refining the Community Renewables Toolkit so others can replicate the model more easily.

Perhaps most excitingly, the ripple effect is already extending outside of local government. Developers, builders, State Government agencies, schools, and community groups are now exploring how they too can adapt this model for community benefit.

Brandon’s advice for others thinking about nominating a project next year? “Be bold and collaborate. Don’t assume it’s too big or too complex. With the right partners, local government can set the benchmark for innovation.”

And if this project is anything to go by, collaboration really does have the power to change the future - for councils, communities, and beyond.

Thank you to our partner AM Consulting for sponsoring the Excellence in Cross Council Collaboration Award.

GIF: Features a variety of images from the Collaborative Council Power Purchase Agreement project, and those representing the project at the LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner.