Phillip Island & San Remo Advertiser
Wednesday 27/2/2008 Page: 22
Individuals and communities are running ahead of governments when it comes to making real efforts to step more lightly on the environment to 'reduce, recycle, reuse' and to be innovative and creative enough to leave the earth in a better shape that we find it today. The Wonthaggi Energy Innovation Festival, to be held on Friday. February 29 and Saturday. March 1. will bring many of these people together. to share ideas and consider new ones. Local school students have built model solar powered boats and cars, which will be demonstrated at the festival.
The innovative designs have been created for the Victorian Solar Model Vehicle Challenge. And over 15 primary school teams will pit their energy efficiency skills and designer billy carts in a series of challenges against the clock. The festival will showcase companies, community groups and individuals that are acting now, providing advice as well as products such as solar hot water, environmentally safe cleaning, insulating materials, slow combustion pellet fires and electric and hybrid vehicles.
There are companies like Energycore, about to install heating and cooling at Newhaven College, making use of the pleasant ambient temperature at 35 metres below ground. Well known Landcare and environmental activist Moragh McKay will be discussing the proposed South West Gippsland Renewable Energy Cooperative, and the group is looking for those who might consider working with others to establish renewable energy projects in the area. Moragh recently returned from investigating such projects in Britain and Europe.
The festival will also provide a forum for people to hear both sides of the proposed Wonthaggi desalination Plant, providing an opportunity to ask questions and consider the facts. The debate, getting underway at noon on Friday, will include speakers from Your Water Your Say and plant supporters. Visitors can also discover how to use vegetable oil as fuel through the conversion of diesel vehicles to diesel/vegetable oil hybrids. They will also learn all about converting to natural gas, about lighting for the future and have the opportunity to take part in a tour of the Wonthaggi wind farm.
The Wonthaggi Energy Innovation Festival, with free entry, brings innovative energy, building and sustainability displays and exhibitions to the Wonthaggi recreation reserve. The associated Human Powered Grand Prix, running on Saturday and Sunday, March 1 and 2, has traditionally been a mecca for schools, educators and transport innovators. Some 80 teams, including five from South Australia, will compete in that feat of people power, endurance and innovative design.
There is a wide and growing circle of enthusiasts participating in this sport, including school and community teams who attend a racing calendar of events all over Victoria and South Australia. Many of the community teams are former school students who just don't want to leave it behind once they leave school. Parents and supporters follow the teams. often staying for several days before and after the event and creating a wonderful atmosphere as they fill their temporary campground and racetrack.
Wonthaggi's event has become a must for an increasing number. It is known for its exciting track which involves lots of thrills on the fast corners, its community atmosphere and for sticking to the quiet "pedal powered" category of vehicles. rather than the noisy hybrids of some races. The event sees secondary school students racing human powered vehicles over a 1.4km street circuit along Korumburra road. Wentworth road and the recreation reserve. The race will get underway at noon on Saturday, with the teams continuing for 24 hours until they speed towards the finish to the roar of the crowd at noon on Sunday.
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