Low Carbon Australia and Wagga Wagga City Council, NSW are to cooperate on energy efficiency in the first agreement of its kind for regional Australia in the second major agreement for the new agency.
The total project will cost $257,602 with LCA providing a direct loan for $209,725 (about 81 per cent of the project cost). Wagga Wagga council is paying for energy efficiency activities at its airport.
Project planning assesses that approximately 2,200 to 3,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent will be avoided over the life of the project – a saving of nearly $60,000 in energy costs.
Low Carbon Australia chief executive officer Meg McDonald said the project was a very important development for local governments and businesses to access expertise and finance to purchase energy saving equipment.
“This agreement means local governments and businesses can implement energy saving equipment, which will save them money and energy. Energy savings drive a reduction in costs and an improved bottom line for business,” she said.
The Minister for Regional Australia and Local Government, Simon Crean said the agreement was the first of many opportunities for local government and business in regional Australia to embrace energy efficiency.
The project involves the installation of energy efficiency equipment at three council facilities, the Civic Centre, Civic Theatre and Wagga Wagga Airport including light and light fitting retrofits, lighting controls and voltage reduction units.
Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city in NSW with a population of more than 63,000. It is the regional capital of the Murrumbidgee region, acting as a key industry and administration centre for the wider region.
Wagga Wagga Mayor Wayne Geale said: “This project strengthens the council’s role as a community leader in improving its greenhouse footprint through smart business management,”
“There is a substantial business and community network in Wagga Wagga and the council hopes by leading the way others in our community will consider this innovative greenhouse action.”
