A COUNCILLOR has lashed out at Shellharbour City Council for not including solar panels in the City Hub plan.
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The development application (DA) for the $57 million City Hub has gone on public exhibition for community feedback and submissions.
Shellharbour Councillor Kellie Marsh has criticised the plans for not including solar panels in the proposal and for "cutting corners".
"I was horrified that in these modern times, when we are encouraging homeowners to use solar power, that they haven't even costed into the budget money for solar panels," Cr Marsh said.
"I just can't understand the logic of not putting the panels in the plans, to not only generate clean energy but save money for the ratepayers.
"If you going to build a million-dollar building without solar panels, you have to wonder where else they are cutting corners."
Cr Marsh said the money for office balconies for the general manager and mayor, and yoga and cardio rooms for council staff should be reallocated to fund solar panels.
"There has been an over-expenditure on some things and we should be cutting back on these," Cr Marsh said.
"The community don't want us burgling their money for a building for council offices.
"The community want more money for road, rates, rubbish and stormwater and I am calling on the community to comment on this."
A council spokesperson said an Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) report was tabled, which considers a five-star green strategy.
"The building will have the provision for retrofitting solar panels if and when council wishes to install them."
The report considers the DA's resource efficiency, building compliance, health and learning (daylight), comfort, as built operating costs are reduced from current levels and the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces.
In addition, the report includes issues that must be considered in the external design, thermal performance, acoustics, day lighting, unnecessary direct sun penetration and selected materials.
The DA for the multi-purpose facility at the corner of College and Cygnet avenues in the Shellharbour City Centre will be determined by the Joint Regional Planning Panel.
