THE SHINY HALO
CENTRAL NSW TAKING ACTION FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE
(Original Source Here)
Dubbo living up to its sustainable city goals
Dubbo Council and the Dubbo community are making significant contributions towards the environment through a wide range of projects and activities.
This includes Dubbo’s committment to being a sustainable city.
Sustainable Cities are vibrant urban regions which are economically productive, environmentally responsible and socially inclusive. Dubbo is all of these and strives to continually improve.
Council’s role is to help raise awareness and educate the community as well as develop and implement plans that make Dubbo a great place to live. Following are some great examples of how Dubbo is implementing this commitment:
Dubbos first Sustainable City Expo.
As part of Dubbo’s commitment to this the Council’s Annual Energy and Water Expo is being improved this year and transformed into Dubbos first Sustainable City Expo.
The name change allows a wider range of environmental issues to be included.
The expo aims to provide the community with the opportunity to speak with the experts on the latest technologies, appliances and services available to assist them to live more sustainable lifestyles. In addition Council will be showcasing their latest renewable energy projects and invite other businesses and community groups to do the same.
Along with the workshops and demonstrations there will be family fun activities. Exhibitors are encouraged to include their own sessions in the expo program.
If you would like to be involved, please call Council’s sustainability team on 6801 4000.
11 September 2011
10am – 4pm
Victoria Park, Darling St, Dubbo
Last year, the expo attracted 26 exhibitors, and approximately 700 people.
Dubbo City Council’s Renewable Energy Project
Dubbo City Council is directing $330,000 funding into renewable energy initiatives for the Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre, Family Day Care Centre and community education programs.
The project is part of the Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo (BOD) Alliance ‘Inspiring and Integrating Change Program’, funded from the NSW Environmental Trust Urban Sustainability Program.
Dubbo City Council’s Renewable Energy Project for the Victoria Park Precinct could see over $32,000 in annual cost savings to the Organisation.
Mayor of Dubbo Cr Allan Smith said the project would increase renewable energy use in the Victoria Park Precinct, implement efficiencies and reduce operating costs.
Initiatives include:
Dubbo Family Daycare Centre: lighting retrofits, solar hot water and solar photovoltaic (PV) installations
$5800 annual cost savings or enough energy to power 2.5 homes;
Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre: installation of solar hot water system to reduce the cost of heating the children’s pool
$2300 annual cost savings or enough energy to power one home
Western Plains Cultural Centre: installation of 300 PV panels
$24,400 annual savings or enough energy to power 15 homes
“A renewable energy feasibility study has been conducted for Council facilities in the Victoria Park Precinct which identified solar technology as the most suitable renewable energy source for Council to consider,’’ said Cr Smith.
The Victoria Park project complements Council’s ongoing efforts to achieve its renewable energy and energy reduction targets through the Dubbo ALIVE program, which also includes:
The recent installation of solar panels at 12 Council facilities Solar lights installed at the DRTCC and APEX Oval car parks
Solar taxiway lighting introduced at Dubbo City Regional Airport
Solar hot water systems installed at suitable Council facilities
Completion of energy audits (so far identifying savings of about 38 per cent).
Solar panel project one of the largest in Australia
The Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) part of this plan will actually make it home to one of the largest photovoltaic (PV) installations to be undertaken in Australia, the same size as a similar system installed at the Sydney Superdome.
Dubbo City Council is calling for tenders to construct a 70 kilowatt solar panel for the WPCC which Dubbo Mayor Cr Allan Smith says could result in over $24,400 in annual energy savings.
Mayor Allan Smith explains, “The system proposed will include about 300 PV panels and is expected to cover approximately half of the roof area of the gallery at the Western Plains Cultural Centre,’’ he said.
“The system is expected to save enough energy to power 15 homes, in addition to an 88 tonne carbon saving for the Centre – which is equal to two million black balloons.’’
Cr Smith said some work had already been done in previous years to improve lighting and reduce costs at the WPCC.
“In addition, a recent energy audit identified further work to be undertaken on lighting, appliances and air conditioning which could see a further $30,000 saved annually at the Centre,’’ he said.
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What is a black balloon?
A great way to show the impact our power use has on the environment, helping us to visualise something we can’t see. Imagine that one black balloon contains 50 grams of carbon. www.savepower.nsw.gov.au
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