Western Australia Minister for Environment Donna Faragher

Minister Presents Most Sustainable Community Award

Victor P Taffa

An Innovative Vegetable and Egg Trading Program has helped a Kalamunda Community Kindergarten win a 2.1 kW Solar Panel System and the title of the most Sustainable Community in a Perth Solar City Competition.

Kalamunda’s Spring Road Community Kindergarten will receive the award from Environment Minister Donna Faragher at 12pm today at 1A Spring Road, Kalamunda as part of the federally-funded Perth Solar City Program.

Mrs. Faragher said the kindergarten had been outstanding in demonstrating Energy Efficiency, Sustainability and Community Engagement in its initiatives.

“The Kindergarten is run voluntarily by 40 local families whose vegetable gardens and hens are used for vegetable and egg trading with the wider community.” the Minister said.

“The Kindergarten’s Native Garden is sustained by on-site water tanks while the kindy has gas fired under floor water heating which keeps running costs and carbon emissions down. The kindergarten also has an excellent education program teaching children about sustainability and the natural environment.” Mrs. Faragher said.

The sustainable communities’ competition ran from March to the end of May and was open to all community groups that demonstrated sustainable living practices in the Perth Solar City Region, which includes the Town of Bassendean, the cities of Bayswater, Belmont and Swan and the shires of Kalamunda and Mundaring.

A Lesmurdie family who entered the competition also won a fully installed 1.2kW PV System, courtesy of SunPower.

Western Power is leading the $73.5 Million Perth Solar City Program, which is part of the Federal Government’s Solar Cities Program. The Program is supported by a Consortium of Industry Experts including:

• The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority,
• Mojarra,
• EMRC,
• Prospero Productions,
• SolaHart,
• SunPower,
• Synergy.

Western Power Managing Director Doug Aberle said increased Energy Efficiency Programs were vital for a more Sustainable Energy Sector.

“By winning a new Solar PV System, this little kindergarten is likely to generate enough electricity to cover its annual electricity bill, which will prove invaluable to this small Not-For-Profit Community Group.” Mr. Aberle said.

“The Perth Solar City Program is also offering thousands of residents in Perth’s Eastern Region access to free home eco-consultations, valuable discounts off solar hot water systems and solar energy systems and involvement in other energy saving projects. It’s a highly effective broad approach to supporting communities to change behaviours for long-term household, community and environmental benefits.” Mr. Aberle said.

Western Australia Minister for Energy Peter Collier

Western Power Launches School’s Energy Efficiency Program

Victor P Taffa

Energy Minister Peter Collier today launched Western Power’s new in-school energy education program, Power Down, aimed at teaching energy efficiency to children.

Launched with the help of year 4-5 students from Cottesloe Primary School, the program complements Western Power’s existing electrical safety programs.

“Teaching students early on in their life about the importance of energy efficiency is vital if we are to reduce our carbon footprint and, in turn, help families keep electricity bills down.” Mr. Collier said.

“Children can often be the best people to remind us about what we need to do to be energy efficient.”

“It takes vigilance and persistence, and from my time in the classroom, I have learnt that children have plenty of these qualities.” Mr. Collier said.

The Power Down Program focuses on students in years 4 to 7 and involves a 40-minute interactive presentation, helping students to become a ‘Power Down Ranger’ by understanding the role of electricity in everyday life and ways to reduce energy use.

The materials provided during the classes are directly linked to science, social and environmental outcomes of the school curriculum, ensuring students get the most out of the class presentations.

Students also receive a take home pack to share information with their parents and help their family to Power Down.

Western Power Managing Director Doug Aberle said the corporation expected to deliver the program to 10,000 students in primary schools during the next 12 months.

“The program provides us with the ability to directly connect with the community, providing information on how people can be more energy efficient.” Mr. Aberle said.

 Teachers can contact Western Power on 9326 6269 to book an in-class lesson.