MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Cabinet Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
CASTLE HILL RSL CREATING CLEAN ENERGY AND SAVING $250,000 A YEAR
Castle Hill RSL in Sydney's north-west expects to cut its electricity bill by $250,000 a year by installing a tri-generation system that captures waste heat and turns it into heating, cooling and surplus electricity supplying power to the entire club.
"Castle Hill RSL is a great community asset. The club has four pools, five restaurants and a fitness and sports complex soon to be powered almost entirely by cleaner energy generated on site," said Mark Dreyfus, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
"Castle Hill has been awarded a grant of $495,400 from the Gillard Government's Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) for this project. These grants are funded by revenue from the carbon price and are helping to establish clean energy projects in council and community buildings across Australia."
Castle Hill RSL estimates that carbon pollution levels created by its electricity use will drop by 49% -a reduction of 1185 tonnes per year or a total of 23,694 tonnes over the 20 year life of the system.
"Castle Hill RSL - Your Green Club' - is committed to sustainable business practices and protecting our environment for current and future generations. Sustainable initiatives are integrated into our whole of business approach therefore the CEEP grant presented the opportunity to assist with the upfront purchase of the trigeneration system which will achieve longer term energy efficiency outcomes, improving our return on investment and overall responsibility to members, the broader community and our environment," said Warren Glenny, President, Castle Hill RSL Group.
"The Club is an industry leader with its record of clean energy initiatives setting a high standard for other clubs to follow," said Derek Simons, CEO of Simons Green Energy & Simons Boiler Co, which is installing the system. "It is also great to see our Federal Government providing funding grants such as CEEP to support these kinds of sustainability projects," said Mr Simons.
"The money saved on energy costs each year will be invested in club facilities and 20 sporting and interclubs supported by the RSL, including the Castle Hill RSL Rockets Soccer Club, Castle Hill Dolphins Swimming Club, Hills District Little Athletics, the Kokoda Youth Leadership Program, The Max Potential Youth Leadership Program and the SHINE Hills Schools Excellence Awards Program. This is the carbon price at work," said Mr Dreyfus.
TUESDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2012
