Being remote is no reason not to be proactive when it comes to reducing emissions and three western plains councils are taking steps to ensure they are in the forefront of the new era.

A familiar face in western local government circles, Ross Earl is Executive Officer of the Far North West Joint Organisation of Councils (FNWJO) and says councils need to be prepared to work with Federal Government and their increased push toward reduced energy emissions.

Mr Earl was formerly General Manager at Bourke Shire Council for eight years before moving to Mudgee and into semi-retirement.

This week he is stepping back into an acting role as GM at Bourke from Monday, April 24 to Thursday May 25, while current General Manager, Leonie Brown, is on leave.

After filling various temporary GM roles at councils across the state to cover leave and ensure continuity, Ross is particularly looking forward to being back in familiar territory at Bourke for the next few weeks and close to the territory covered in his FNJWO role.

The FNJWO was formed in May 2018 and includes Bourke, Cobar and Walgett Shire Councils. The board comprises the Mayors of the three councils. General Manager of the councils are also on the board in a non-voting capacity.

Currently the group is seeking a Net Zero Project Officer to guide the region into a future of sustainable energy management into the future.

Electric vehicle charging stations are just one part of a strategy to reduce emissions in western NSW.

Mr Earl said the successful applicant will work across the three council areas.

"We want to be on the front foot when it comes to energy issues," Mr Earl said. "Federal and state governments are looking to commit to a zero emissions target and want local councils to be a part of this. Councils are big users of energies like water, electricity, fuel and sewerage so preparedness is the key."

Local government will be expected to play its part in achieving the State’s Net Zero targets of 50 per cent reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

As such councils will need to set targets for operational and community-wide emissions, have strategies and plans in place for how they will reduce them and implement actions to reduce emissions across their operations and communities.

One energy initiative the group is looking at soon is additional charging stations for electric cars in the Shire Council regions.

"We are shortly meeting with experts for advice on the best placement for EV charging stations," Mr Earl said.

"At the moment there is some at Cobar and Bourke but if the uptake of electric cars goes the way its predicted to we will definitely need more to attract people to the region.

"As it was, over the Easter period, visitors were queueing up to recharge their vehicles."