The ISJO in 2023/2024 received funding under the Joint Organisation Net Zero Acceleration (JONZA) Grant Program to enable the employment of a Regional Net Zero Coordination position and the implementation of a series of initiatives Net Zero regional initiatives guided by a Project Control Group (PCG) comprising representation from all four Member Councils.

Key deliverables from the Program included:

• Establishment of an Illawarra Shoalhaven Net Zero Network with active participation from our Member Councils, the University of Wollongong and a range of State Agency and key stakeholder representatives
• A Regional Energy Strategy
• Six months free access to the Kinesis Community Emissions Platform. This platform provides councils with transparent emissions data to plan emissions reduction pathways for communities and
  to track against environmental targets
• Regional electric vehicle charging network mapping
• Funding and delivery of consultancy assessments of Council swimming pool electrification (gas to electric heating)
• Coordination of grant applications for solar and battery storage systems on Council facilities
• Development of frameworks for implementing a regional Community Renewables Program
  Completion of a review of Council electricity charges and tariffs, and
• Development of IP&R frameworks and guidance for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Across regional NSW the JONZA program 1.0 was successful in establishing positions that are working with a total of sixty nine Councils and a range of NSW Government agencies. Locally, our collaborative network has enabled Member Councils to access supportive climate change mitigation (net zero) programs, decision-making tools and potential funding sources at both State and regional levels.