Darren Coyne
An electric car will be unveiled in Lismore on Monday as part of the council’s push to become energy self-sufficient by 2023.
The car will be powered by solar panels located at the waste recovery facility in Wyrallah Road.
The car is the latest measure to follow the Imagine Lismore community consultation last year, during which the council and community vowed to take steps to become ‘a model of sustainability’.
In the last three months, about 60 households in the Lismore region have met with experts to improve the way they use energy in their homes.
The meetings are part of the Community Energy Efficiency Program, an initiative of the federal government to support local councils and community organisations in improving the energy efficiency of buildings, facilities and street lighting as well as delivering community education.
CEEP Participant Narissa Phelps said meeting with neighbours to share ideas about improving energy efficiency had been worthwhile.
‘The meeting was most informative and valuable and has changed my mindset. It’s all having a big impact on me,’ Ms Phelps said.
Another resident taking part in the program, Sandra White, said she was proud to live in a community ‘leading the way’.
‘Energy is a key issue now and for the future, and to see both individual residents and the council backing renewable infrastructure means our community is investing in the future,’ she said.
The meetings follow a report that showed Lismore residents were leading NSW in their use of solar power.
The Renewable Energy Certificate report said a higher percentage of households in the 2480 postcode were using rooftop solar and/or hot water systems, than anywhere else in New South Wales.
Lismore Council responded to the report by developing a Renewable Energy Master Plan with the ultimate goal to self-generate all council’s electricity from renewable resources by 2023.
Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell told Echonetdaily that the council had been busy working towards its energy efficiency goals.
‘As we speak the scaffolding is being taking down from the council chambers after the building was painted with heat reflective paint to reduce the costs of cooling during Summer,’ she said.
‘All water boilers are now on timers, computers are being turned off and low energy lighting has been installed.
‘Solar panels have been installed at the Memorial Baths pool and at the Waste Recovery Facility.
‘And on Monday we will be unveiling an electric car which will be used by waste facility staff and which will take its power from the solar panels at the facility.
Cr Dowell said residents were also invited to visit examples of sustainable houses this Sunday.
‘This weekend’s sustainable houses are at 2/89 Figtree Drive Goonellabah from 10am to 4pm and at 9 Keith Street, Girards Hill.
Cr Dowell said the council would be hosting a tour of its energy saving measures on 7 October, starting at the council chambers in Goonellabah at 10am.
Anyone wanting to join the tour should RSVP to [email protected]
