Media release
14 July 2010
Primary and secondary schools across Australia
will have access to funding for solar panels
and rainwater tanks from 15 July 2010, under
new funding for the National Solar Schools
Program.
Under the National Solar
Schools Program, grants of up to $50,000
($100,000 for multi-campus schools) are
awarded to eligible primary and secondary
schools to install solar and other renewable
power systems, rainwater tanks and a range
of energy efficiency measures.
The Minister for Climate
Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator
Penny Wong, today announced $51 million
in funding would be available to schools
in 2010-11. Applications for the new funding
round will open tomorrow and close on 20
August 2010.
“More than 1000 schools
across the nation have already installed
solar systems under this program, and another
1500 schools have projects underway to become
solar schools,” Senator Wong said.
“Since the program began
in 2008, about 6 MW of renewable solar power
has been installed in schools – the equivalent
of meeting the electricity needs of 1200
average households each day.
“This program has been
highly successful as it gives school students
first-hand experience in renewable energy,
and helps students to become more energy
and water wise.’’
The National Solar Schools
Program was temporarily suspended in October
2009 when high demand for the program meant
that annual funding targets were met earlier
than anticipated.
Improvements have been
made to the program, including:
help manage demand,
funding will be capped each financial year
and annual application rounds will be held.
Applications will be assessed using merit-based
criteria, meaning schools will have to demonstrate
value for money, environmental and educational
benefits in their applications.
To address potential duplication, schools
that have been approved to receive funding
for solar power systems under any other
Australian Government program since 1 July
2008 will now only be eligible for funding
of up to $15,000.
The $420 million program will help schools
across Australia to become more energy efficient.
The Department will work closely with state
and territory education agencies and with
the Block Grant Authorities (for non-government
schools), to ensure a smooth roll-out of
the changes.
Further details on changes
to the program will be available in new
program guidelines. Schools can also contact
the NSSP hotline on 1800 703 831.
+ More
Investing in a better
future for the Darwin Harbour
Media release
5 July 2010
The Gillard Labor Government will invest
$1 million in 2010-11 for a better, healthier
future for the Darwin Harbour.
Marking the start of
NAIDOC Week with a visit to the Harbour,
Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett,
joined by Damian Hale, said the investment
through the Caring for our Country program
would assist efforts to help improve water
quality and identify the best ways for sustainable
development to take place in and around
the Darwin Harbour.
"This Harbour is
a Darwin icon and important to the city
and the Territory for a whole range of reasons,
from recreational fishing and economic activity
as well as being of cultural importance
to the Traditional Owners, the Larrakia
people.
"Through this $1
million investment work will focus on developing
tools to inform urban design and economic
development decisions that are sensitive
to the water quality and environmental values
of the Harbour. It will also help identify
water quality targets and priorities for
work to help improve the health of the Harbour,"
Mr Garrett said.
"By working with
the Larrakia people who will share their
traditional ecological knowledge of the
marine habitat here, we'll also ensure that
we are developing a complete information
set to help us make the best decisions for
a healthier Darwin Harbour into the future."
Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry Minister Tony Burke said the
project was expected to employ local Indigenous
people and was a fitting reminder of the
theme of this NAIDOC Week: 'Unsung Heroes
- Closing the Gap by leading their way'.
"This project will
draw on information from other work involving
Larrakia Rangers that we are funding through
Caring for our Country and the Northern
Territory Natural Resource Management Board
- monitoring water quality in local lagoons,
using mud-crabs to assess ecosystem health
and checking nutrient levels in estuaries,"
Mr Burke said.
"Importantly, today's
investment will also help the Northern Territory
Government complete the Darwin Harbour Water
Quality Improvement Plan."
Member for Solomon,
Damian Hale, said: "Like many coastal
cities and towns the people of Darwin love
their harbour and understand how important
it is to look after it.
"It is very good
news that this Government is able to help
them do just that thanks to this $1 million
commitment. I am sure it will be warmly
welcomed by Territorians."
This project is the
first successful project announced as part
of the 2010-11 business plan open call for
the $2 billion Caring for our Country program.
Further successful project announcements
will be made soon.
For more information about Caring for our
Country visit www.nrm.gov.au
