Push for clean, green surf clubs

Bay Post
Wednesday 14/2/2007 Page: 12

Clean Energy for Eternity is pushing for every surf club in the country to be running on renewable energy before the end of 2007. The South Coast group is planning to fit out all surf clubs in the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla Shires with renewable energy before moving on to other NSW surf clubs.

Organiser Matthew Nott said Clean Energy for Eternity would be meeting with Surf Lifesaving Australia shortly. The Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club is the first cab off the rank, and its revamp includes a wind turbine and solar photovoltaic cells on the roof. "The next stage is to add a solar hot water service, which will see the surf club running with a negligible carbon footprint," Mr Nott said.

"The benefit of renewable energy for the surf club is threefold. Firstly, the installation will save the surf club about $1000 per year. More will be saved following the installation of solar hot water. "Secondly, education and awareness are important. We are showing people that renewable energy can work."

The Tathra project was funded dollar-for-dollar by Bega council and the community and Eurobodalla members of Clean Energy for Eternity are hoping Eurobodalla Shire Council will show the same support.

The next clubs to be fitted out with renewable energy will be Narooma Surf Lifesaving Club, with Broulee, Moruya and Batemans Bay to follow.

Clean Energy for Eternity is looking for local businesses and community members to support this initiative.
For more information contact Julia Mayo- Ramsay on 0419 848 057 or email surfclubproject@ yahoo.com.au.