No. 09

$7.4 MILLION TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE AND SAVE WATER

The 2007-08 ACT Budget provides $7.4 million to improve the water efficiency of Government Offices, to support the implementation of the soon-to-be-released ACT Climate Change Strategy, install green power sources in ACT Government buildings and to establish a perpetual ‘Green Bank’ to reduce energy use by ACT Government departments.
 
Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change Jon Stanhope said climate change and securing a safe water supply were the biggest challenges facing the nation and the Territory.

“To take the Territory forward into an economically sustainable future, we have to ensure we all do our bit to minimise the effects of and adapt to climate change,” he said. “That includes using water and energy more efficiently.

“This Budget establishes a $1 million ‘Green Bank’ providing finance for ACT Government agencies to invest in energy efficiency improvements.

“Because agencies will borrow from the Green Bank and repay the money over time, the 2007-08 Budget establishes a perpetual fund to reduce Government energy use and save costs into the future. 

“ACT Government agencies will be actively encouraged to use money from the Green Bank to help improve the Territory’s energy efficiency.

“Based on a recent audit, Government agencies can do much more to reduce their use of lighting, air conditioning and heating, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs. The Green Bank is a practical step to help them achieve this goal.”

Mr Stanhope said the ACT Government will also invest $1.4 million in improving water efficiency in Government buildings, including upgrading ageing office air conditioning systems and replacing chillers. 

“The systems to be replaced are located at the Woden Library and Shopfront, Dickson Motor Vehicle Registry and the Fyshwick Offices at 255 Canberra Avenue.

“As these systems have reached the end of their expected lives, we are taking the opportunity to replace them with more water efficient systems.  

“The new systems will be air-cooled resulting in significant water savings in all three buildings.”

Mr Stanhope said the Budget also provided $1 million to install solar and wind energy generators on several public buildings to test and demonstrate their effectiveness as a new power source.

“The ACT Government remains committed to showing leadership in tackling and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

“That’s why this Budget also provides $4 million over four years to implement the ACT Government’s soon-to-be-released Climate Change Strategy.

 “The decisions taken in last year’s Budget are helping to keep the ACT’s books in the black and providing the funds required to invest in protecting our community by preparing it to deal with the challenges of climate change,” Mr Stanhope said.

“The Climate Change Strategy will provide the ACT community with a framework to deal with the environmental, social and economic changes that will come with climate change.”