ACT gets serious on energy initiatives

Sunday Canberra Times
Sunday 25/5/2008 Page: 20

WIND TURBINES at Canberra Stadium and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and solar energy to light Macarthur House car park will soon be in place, ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has announced.

The Minister said the initiatives - part of the ACT Government's Climate Change Strategy 2007-2025, Weathering the Change - would see ACT Government and community buildings, public spaces and services adapted to replace non-renewable energy sources with renewable energy such as solar or wind.

The first renewable technology introduced is the Macarthur House car park on Northbourne Avenue which has had energy efficient LED and solar lighting fitted. "These lights are highly visible and banners have been installed to draw attention to them," he said. Macarthur House also has a comprehensive waste recycling facility and a large bike shed to encourage their use.

Over the next 12 months, the installation of wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels and a 9sqm LED screen will take place at Canberra Stadium. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve will have solar PV panels fitted on the north roof and wind turbines at the rear of the building, and five switchable lights that allow for the intensity of lighting to be varied during nighttime use will be installed at the Erindale Bus Interchange.

Mr Stanhope said the Government would also invest $3 million this year to install energy efficient street lights in Canberra, provide $500,000 for energy efficient housing and $1.6 million over four years to help make ACT public schools carbon neutral.

"The ACT Government's renewable technology showcase is just one of many climate change initiatives outlined in the Weathering the Change climate change strategy, which is underpinned by a $100 million investment over 10 years," he said. "By making our buildings and public spaces more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, the ACT Government can improve the community's understanding of the real and practical opportunities to address climate change."