$10.7 MILLION FOR LOCAL CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTS
Community facilities and public buildings across the state will become local showcases for the latest water and energy saving technologies, Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Carmel Tebbutt said today.
"Climate change will affect every person in NSW. It's vital that we take concrete steps to reduce energy and water use and the Government's Climate Change Fund is a key part of our ongoing efforts to encourage greater levels of sustainability," Ms Tebbutt said.
"Fifty-three innovative projects have been independently recommended to the Government and will receive a total of $10.7 million. Collectively they will save more than 170 million litres of water and more than 10,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.
"In everyday terms this means taking 2200 cars off the road and saving the equivalent of 170 Olympic sized pools full of water every year.
"The Fund's Public Facilities Program will allow the installation of solar panels on community buildings, an energy efficiency upgrade to an early childhood centre and water recycling projects for a drought-hit botanic garden.
"Not only will these projects bring the latest technologies to communities but they will help public facilities save money on their bills.
"But best of all they combine practical savings with a strong education component to show why it's important to make the switch to save the planet," she said.
Ms Tebbutt announced the grants while inspecting the construction site for the new Lowy Cancer Centre at UNSW. The University will receive two grants totalling $631,065 to install a gas fired co-generation unit ($500,000) on the roof of the Lowy Cancer Centre to provide hot water and electricity and heat for an absorption chiller.
The co-generation facility will reduce peak power demand by 770 kW and save 1700 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
The second grant ($131,065) will allow the UNSW to save 650,000 litres of water and 81 tonnes of greenhouse gas emission per year in other facilities by replacing and relocating hot water systems, installing waterless urinals and timer taps in bathrooms and other efficiency measures.
Other innovative projects funded by the grants include -
- $370,000 to transform community centres in Chillingham, Comboyne, Baulkham Hills and Randwick into sustainability showcases for solar energy and water and energy efficiency, saving 519,000 litres of water a year and 27 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions
- $499,000 to Mogo Zoo to capture, treat and reuse wastewater to clean animal enclosures, saving 2.5 million litres of potable water a year
- $953,000 to Coffs Harbour City Council to solar power its Regional Gallery and library and source recycled water for the Botanic Gardens, saving 120 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and nine million litres of water a year
- $510,000 to Bland Shire Council for a stormwater harvesting and wetland project to water public facilities, including sporting fields, parks, gardens and landscaping, saving 15 million litres of water a year
- $81,180 to Fairfield City Council to install rainwater tanks and water efficient fixtures and fittings in 12 early learning centres
The Public Facilities Program is part of the NSW Government's $340 million Climate Change Fund.
Project summaries can be viewed at - www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/ccfund.htm
