Bega Valley wishes all power to surf club

Canberra Times
Saturday 20/1/2007 Page: 7

A NSW South Coast community group is promising to halve its shire's energy consumption by 2020. Bega Valley's Clean Energy for Eternity group has launched the 50-50 by 20-20 campaign, which also aims to ensure only 50 per cent of the energy used in the shire is from nonrenewable sources.

The area's first steps towards tackling the negative effects of climate change were made in Tathra yesterday, where the first surf club to be entirely powered from renewable sources was unveiled.

Clean Energy for Eternity chairman Matthew Nott said,"We're looking at tackling this at every level. "Climate change is such a critical issue that it demands individual action like turning light switches off, driving slower and buying fluorescent light bulbs.

`But we're also looking at community-based solutions like setting up the surf club with renewable energy and then turning that into a national campaign to get all 305 surf clubs in the country set up with renewable energy." With help from the Bega Valley Shire Council, community donations and sponsors, Clean Energy for Eternity raised the $20,000 needed to have a wind turbine and a series of solar panels attached to the roof of the Tathra Surf Club.

As a result, the club will save $1000 a year on its electricity bill and will save almost three tonnes of carbon dioxide from polluting the atmosphere every year. "It is a small start, but when you multiply that by 305 surf clubs, it's starting to make a bit of a difference," Mr Nott said.

Bega Valley Mayor Tony Allen, whose council will also partly fund two similar projects in Pambula and Bermagui, said the financial cost was heavily offset by the long-term benefits.

"Sure, initially the production of green energy may be a little bit expensive. "But if you're looking at the greater good, if you're looking down the track at a sustainable society and a sustainable humanity, it may be a very small price to pay."

Contact details:
Clean Energy for Eternity
Phone: 6492 4858 home or 0429-828412 mobile
14 Canning Street, Bega 2550

http://thebegavalley.org.au/6062.0.html