THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Cabinet Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Innovation
JOHN MURPHY MP
Federal Member for Reid
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
$1.4 MILLION ENERGY EFFICIENCY MAKEOVER FOR CITY OF CANADA BAY
The Federal Government is helping Canada Bay Council in NSW save tens of thousands of dollars on energy bills with a $1.4 million energy efficiency grant to upgrade local facilities, under the national Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP).
"The co-investment between the Federal Government and City of Canada Bay will improve energy efficiency at the Five Dock Leisure Centre, the West Tigers' Concord Oval, Canada Bay Council's Civic Centre and Council Depot," said Mark Dreyfus, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
Getting in the Olympic spirit, Mr Dreyfus, squared off against students from De La Salle High School at the Five Dock Leisure Centre, joined by Federal Member for Reid, John Murphy and Canada Bay Council General Manager, Gary Sawyer. The Leisure Centre will undergo a retrofit to install energy efficient lighting, air conditioning and hot water.
"The City of Canada Bay has estimated that permanent, annual savings on energy bills from the Five Dock Leisure Centre upgrade alone will be $28,000. That frees up resources for other areas," Mr Dreyfus said.
Mr Murphy said improving energy efficiency is a central element of the Federal Government's Clean Energy Future plan to help boost productivity in our economy and cut dangerous carbon pollution.
"Improving energy efficiency helps residents and businesses take action to cut pollution and reduce their power bills. That money can be re-invested more productively in the community," said Mr Murphy.
"Canada Bay Council has a strong commitment to reducing carbon pollution by improving our energy efficiency," said Gary Sawyer, Canada Bay General Manager.
"Not only will we reduce our operating costs at these four facilities, but also reduce the council's carbon footprint by 818 tonnes of carbon pollution per year," he said.
"These upgrades demonstrate cost-effective energy savings at different types of council community facilities.The Five Dock Leisure Centre is a major community sports facility with a high public profile and provides the perfect opportunity to showcase how energy efficiency works to everyone's benefit."
The Canada Bay project is one of 63 successful grant applicants to be funded under the CEEP to improve energy efficiency in council and community buildings and facilities across Australia.
In addition to the Federal Government grant, the City of Canada Bay Council will directly contribute $400,000 over the next year to improve the energy efficiency in community facilities.
THURSDAY, 9 AUGUST 2012
