Recognised as the richest agricultural region in Australia and with a population of over 17,800, Moree claims for itself the title of the North West New South Wales regional centre. While it maintains a strong focus on growing its agriculture, tourism and manufacturing sectors, the Moree Plains Shire Council is equally focused on the environment – with Green Power being high on the agenda.
For the vast majority of Australian rural Councils, the allocation of funds for new ventures is never taken lightly. The maintenance of existing assets, such as libraries, roads and community centres, is a constant drain on limited financial resources. So, when it comes to spending money on the environment, it tends to be the forward looking rural Councils that lead the way. Among these leaders is Moree Plains Shire Council.
According to Council’s General Manager, David Aber, there is a strong need to focus on the sustainability and future viability of rural Australia. Rural Councils are now involved directly in issues like tree preservation and water conservation because these issues directly reflect the long term sustainability of local economies. They need to address environmental issues because they have a direct interest in the wellbeing of their community.
With deregulation of the energy supply industry, Moree Plains Shire Council was able to ‘take action’ in 1999 by negotiating a power supply contract with Advance Energy. The result was both financial and environmental benefits, with 65 per cent of its electricity needs being met by Green Power accredited energy at no additional cost. With this purchase, Council is making a major contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, with the 65 per cent representing 2600 MWh of Green Power per year, this is a greenhouse gas reduction of over 215 tonnes per month and 2600 tonnes annually.
Meeting the increase
On 1 January 2001, Council’s initial Green Power contract with Advance Energy came up for renewal, bringing with it the news that Green Power energy to Council was going to be nine per cent up on the previous contract. This nine per cent increase represented an addition of $11,000 per annum. Maintaining the level of 65 per cent Green Power, regardless of the cost increase, meant submitting a detailed report to Council.
This report gave a detailed breakdown of the $11,000, showing the effect it would have on each of the cost areas within Council’s operations. When the report was finally submitted to Council, it was seen that the increase would have an impact on each of the areas of barely a couple of hundred dollars. By taking this approach and presenting the additional cost in real terms, maintaining Council’s 65 per cent Green Power was given overwhelming support by the Moree Plains Shire Council.
In illustrating Moree Plains Shire Council’s commitment to a long term environmental strategy, the Mayor at the time, Councillor Michael Montgomery, advocated that Moree’s use of Green Power would have positive effects for future Green Power cost reductions.
“As more organisations and individual households adopt Green Power, energy retailers and suppliers will be able to invest more in Green Power sources,” he said. “Many Councils, such as ours, are realising this and setting the example for others to follow.” This comment was emphasised by Advance Energy in early 2001 on its securing of the Blayney Wind Farm to complement the energy retailer’s other Green Power sources. These comprise a solar energy complex at Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, and the hydro generation at Burrendong Dam near Wellington.
Promoting Green
The promotion of Moree Plains Shire Council’s commitment to Green Power is evident to every person who travels along the heavily used Gwydir and Newell Highways. On each of these main transport arteries are signs emblazoned with the Green Power logo and stating: ‘Moree is a Green Power town and we support the environment’.
“It’s important that we promote our use of Green Power, along with our other environmental initiatives,” said the current Mayor, Councillor Peter Brooks. “Like other rural Councils, we recognise that promoting strong environmental practices contributes to the attraction of business in the area – something that’s essential to the Shire.”
The Green Power guarantee
The National Green Power Accreditation Program has won international acclaim and a 2000 Prime Minister’s Environment Award for stringent auditing requirements and raising public environmental awareness. The program was initiated in 1997 by the NSW Government’s Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) and due to growing demand is now operated nationally by the National Green Power Accreditation Steering Group. Accreditation requirements and reporting documents can be downloaded from ‘The Rules’ section of the Green Power website at www.greenpower.com.au Green Power accredited products are generated from the following.
- Solar power – conversion of the sun’s energy directly into electricity by use of solar technologies.
- Wind power – harnessing wind force to drive energy producing turbines that are based on the designs of traditional windmills.
- Biomass – using energy from sources such as municipal waste, agricultural waste, landfill gas and wood waste. Only wood sources from existing sustainably managed forestry plantations, and clearing of specified noxious weeds, are accepted. Use of any materials from high conservation value forests is not acceptable and not approved under Green Power guidelines.
- Mini-hydro power – using the force of water flowing from a river or existing dam to drive a generator.
For more information on how to purchase Green Power, or its benefits, call your energy supplier or visit www.greenpower.com.au
