The way of the future
Carrathool Shire has launched an Australia wide competition for architects, academics and environmental planners to design an energy efficient and smart home.
The Sustainable Energy Development Authority has provided $10,000 to assist with the prize money. The best five design sketches and support documentation submitted will receive $1,500 to assist each designer to develop enhanced design sketches. The winning designer will receive $14,000 to prepare the design drawings and oversee construction. There will also be a separate prize for student entries.
Council has allocated $200,000 to build the winning design on its Goolgowi subdivision to demonstrate what can be achieved by applying energy efficient principles.
The Shire is also actively promoting research and development into alternative energy sources. The recent establishment of the Riverina Coalition will greatly assist cooperative ventures to develop this area.
“The reuse of waste material, including biomass, from agriculture production for generating power and recycling will become increasingly important and the formation of the Riverina Coalition will encourage developments in this area,” said James Roncon, Carrathool Shire’s General Manager.
Carrathool Shire Council will encourage the coalition to explore a long list of sustainable development opportunities.
These include the generation of power from methane gas at the local feedlot; more active use of solar power as a renewable energy in Council operations; an alternate use for the cotton trash that is currently a waste material at the cotton gin; and the local harnessing of wind power for generating electricity.
An important part of the Coalition’s efforts will also be increasing community awareness about sustainable development such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and recycling opportunities. For example, by broadening Council’s partnership arrangement with local energy supplier Country Energy to include all neighbouring Councils.
