13 September
2008 - The $32 million Solar City in Townsville
will help the local community save energy,
save money and reduce carbon pollution,
Environment Minister Peter Garrett said
today.
Visiting Magnetic Island
for the launch of the Smart Lifestyle Centre
at Horseshoe Bay, Mr Garrett said the Magnetic
Island Solar Suburb would be the main component
of Townsville Solar City, with the installation
of 2500 smart meters, 1700 household energy
audits and an estimated 500 solar photovoltaic
systems installed on residential rooftops.
“Magnetic Island residents
are already coming on board with 31 PV solar
systems and 54 smart meters already installed
and a massive 35,785 watts from old light
bulbs replaced with energy efficient ones.
This community is so eager to embrace green
living that over 100 homes have already
participated in energy audits.”
Mr Garrett said the
new Smart Lifestyle Centre would help inform
energy efficient decisions, providing a
one-stop shop to showcase photovoltaic systems,
energy efficient lighting and smart metering
technologies – with a host of solar and
energy saving tips.
“As well as saving energy,
money and reducing carbon pollution, one
of the real advantages of the Townsville
Solar City is that work to install additional
electricity infrastructure through this
magnificent, World Heritage, Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park can be postponed.
“Everyone who lives,
works or owns property on Magnetic Island
can participate. I encourage all residents,
landlords and business owners to sign up
to the program today and receive a free
energy assessment and energy saving devices,
with the opportunity to host a solar energy
system.”
The Townsville Solar
City projects are located at Magnetic Island,
Rocky Springs, Riverway and the proposed
GreenT building in the CBD. As well, the
project is involving the community and selling
its message across Townsville through the
Community Based Social Marketing initiative.
“Together, these elements
will deliver carbon pollution reductions
of more than 50,000 tonnes over the life
of the project – equivalent to taking 1700
cars off the road, while increasing public
awareness in sustainable energy use,” Mr
Garrett said.
“The information and
data collected through Townsville Solar
City will complement the work being done
in the six other Solar Cities in Adelaide,
Alice Springs, Blacktown, Central Victoria,
Coburg and Perth.
“Combined, the seven
cities are expected to reduce carbon pollution
by more than 76,000 tonnes each year, with
over 3,200 solar photovoltaic panels expected
to be installed on private and public housing
and other buildings,” Mr Garrett said.
The Townsville Consortium
is receiving $15 million under the Australian
Government's $94 million Solar Cities program.
The Consortium members will also contribute
to the Solar Cities project, including Ergon
Energy, the Queensland Government, Townsville
City Council, Delfin Lend Lease, Honeycombes
Property Group and Cafalo Pty Ltd.
For more information on Solar Cities visit
www.environment.gov.au/solarcities
+ More
Pipeline approved with
environmental conditions
12 September 2008 -
A key component of Victoria's water plan
has received conditional environmental approval
from the Federal Environment Minister, Peter
Garrett, under the Environment Protection
and Conservation Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC
Act).
Mr Garrett said in making
his decision he had carefully considered
the environmental impacts of the project
proposed by the Victorian Government on
matters protected by the EPBC Act.
"Nationally listed
threatened species such as the striped legless
lizard and the matted flax lily may potentially
be affected by the pipeline. My approval
includes a number of precautionary conditions
which will ensure that any impacts on nationally
listed species are mitigated," Mr Garrett
said.
"My responsibility
under the Act is to make decisions about
possible impacts on matters of national
environmental significance as defined by
the Act. Other environmental matters raised
by this development are the responsibility
of the Victorian Government.
"Based on the information
and advice I have received, I am confident
that this pipeline can be built without
adversely affecting nationally listed threatened
species.
"Securing water
supply for our urban populations is of fundamental
importance. The Victorian Government put
this proposal forward on the basis that
the water would be sourced primarily from
savings from the Foodbowl Modernisation
Project which will also go to irrigators
and importantly, the environment.
"I have made it
a condition of my approval that all savings
to be taken for the pipeline could only
be taken following the assessment of their
potential impact on matters of national
environmental significance. These savings
must be audited and available before they
can be sent down the pipeline."
Mr Garrett said during
the approval process the Department of Environment,
Heritage, Water and the Arts had received
a number of requests to reconsider the original
decision to examine only the impacts on
listed threatened species and ecological
communities.
A decision to reject
those applications for reconsideration was
made after consultation with State and Federal
ministers as well as the public who were
invited to provide comment. Conditions of
approval for this project include that no
water come from the Living Murray initiative
or the Water for Rivers entitlements.
