Randwick looks to wind power

Public Works and Engineering
01/03/2008 Page: 23

Randwick City Council will trial renewable wind turbine technology as part of a multifaceted approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During the 12 month trial, the metropolitan Sydney council will test one or two small-scale wind-powered turbines at sites across the city to test how much energy the turbines produce and how much they reduce the council's greenhouse gas emissions.

Randwick City Council Mayor, Bruce Notley-Smith, says the council will share the findings of the wind-power trial with other local governments across Australia.

The council is presently determining the best locations within the municipality to use for the wind-power trials and has not vet set a date for the trial to begin. Once the trial is complete, the council hopes to he better informed about how wind-powered energy can be used at a local level.

The trial will be part of Randwick City Council's `Sustaining Our City' initiative, which includes a program where the council provides subsidies of up to 40% to local residents to install energy-saving items such as solar hot water systems, thermal insulation and more efficient lighting systems in their homes.

Randwick City Council is also leading the development of a ground-breaking emissions trading scheme for councils in New South Wales. Randwick, Leichhardt, Kiama, Cootamundra, Lane Cove and Auburn councils have so far confirmed their participation in the trial of the smallscale trading scheme, which is scheduled to begin operating in March next year.

To contact Randwick City Council, phone (02) 9399 0999.