Demonstration stream projects
Under the Public Facilities Program, $17 million is being provided for 71 Demonstration projects to save an estimated 3.7 billion litres of water, 187,720 megawatt hours of electricity and 172,860 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first ten years. This will save an estimated $4 million off water and energy bills a year.
View Demonstration project summaries
The Public Facilities Program Demonstration stream will not continue. This follows a recommendation made by the Independent Pricing and Regulation Tribunal of NSW (IPART) within their 2009 review of NSW climate change mitigation measures.
Eligibility criteria
| | Demonstration projects |
|---|
How much is
available? | No set limit. Contributions from applicants are encouraged to maximise the cost effectiveness of projects. |
| Who can apply? | local councils or groups of councils schools (or groups of schools) or other educational facilities NSW State Government agencies other publication and educational facilities operating on a non-profit basis.
|
What will be
funded? | Water and/or energy savings projects which demonstrate how savings work in practice, including: - water recycling, harvesting and efficiency projects
- energy efficiency and generation projects
- education activities that increase the adoption of efficient technologies and practices.
|
Guide and
application forms | Demonstration Stream Guide for Applicants (525Kb pdf, requires Acrobat reader)
Demonstration Stream Application form (585Kb Excel Zip file, requires Excel)
Demonstration application form instructions (63Kb pdf requires Acrobat reader) |
Funding agreement
Successful applicants securing funding of more than $100,000 are required to enter into a performance-based funding agreement which stipulates all funding obligations and conditions. Applicants are advised to read a sample agreement before submitting an application as variations to the standard clauses will not be considered.
Read the Sample Funding Agreement (234Kb pdf requires Acrobat reader)
Funding conditions for allocations of less than $100,00 are detailed in a Letter of Agreement.
For more information about the Public Facilities Program call the Environment Line on 1300 361 967 or email ccf@environment.nsw.gov.au
Baulkham Hills Shire Council - Making Waves (stage 1: water efficiency)
Baulkham Hills Shire Council - Community Environment Centre: Sustainable Home Demonstration Site
Bland Shire Council - West Wyalong Stormwater Capture and Management Project
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Leisure Centres: Energy Savings on Pool Heating
Carrathool Shire Council - Carrathool Shire Water Savings Project
Charles Sturt University - Facilitating Energy-Saving Bahaviours among University Student Residents
Charles Sturt University - Energy Savings and Education Project
Chillingham Community Association - Community Sustainability Showcase
City of Botany Bay Council - Water Saving Initiatives for Botany Aquatic Centre
City of Canada Bay Council - Saving Energy and Water by using the Weather
Climate Change for Balmain-Rozelle Incorporated - Solar for Schools Program
Cobar Shire Council - Water Reuse and Solar Heating for Cobar Memorial Pool
Coffs Harbour City Council - Botanic Gardens Relaimed Water Irrigation Project
Coffs Harbour City Council - Rigby House Green Retrofit
Comboyne Community Association - Mid North Coast Centre for Sustainability
Communities NSW - Greening the Wharf
Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation - Water and Energy Savings at Narrabeen and Jindabyne Sports Centres
Dungog Shire Council - Clarence Town Swimming Pool Solar Heating
EcoSave Pty Ltd - 'Learning by Doing' at Charles Sturt University
Eurobodalla Shire Council - 'Eurobodalla Kids' Voices for Cooler Choices
Fairfield City Council - Energy Efficiency Community Hall
Fairfield City Council - Save4Future: Rainwater Tanks at Early Learning Centres
Hornsby Shire Council - Demonstrating how HVAC Predictive Maintenance can reduce C02 Emissions
Hurstville City Council - Hurstville Golf Course Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Project
Junee Shire Council - Junee Library: A Community Building that Embraces Green Technologies
Kingsgrove to Revesby Rail Quadruplication Alliance (K2RQ) - Photovoltaic Integrated Noise Barrier Initiative
Ku-ring-gai Council - A Partnership for Sharing Alternate Water Supplies
Ku-ring-gai Council - From Waste Water to Valuable Water: Reusing Leachate
Lake Macquarie City Council - Comfort Zone Calculator and PC Power Saving
Lake Macquarie City Council - Civic and Cultural Energy Savings in Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie City Council - Happy Campers: Energy and Water Savings in Lake Macquarie Holiday Parks
Lismore City Council - The CBD GREENovation Project
Manly Council - Manly Oval Energy Saving Lighting Project
Marine Discovery Centre Bondi Beach Inc. - Energy Saving by Example at the Marine Discovery Centre Bondi Beach
Mogo Zoo - Integrated Water Cycle Management Project
Murray Shire Council - Moama Recreation Reserve: Self Sustainable Irrgation Supply
Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences - Returning Power to the Powerhouse
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - Energy and Water Savings Project
North Sydney Council - Forsyth Park Stormwater Reuse Project
Northmead Public School - Outdoor Classroom
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service - Energy-wise Community Facility
Oberon RSL Outdoor Lawn Bowls Club - Oberon Synthetic Bowling Green and Storm Water Reuse Project
Parramatta City Council - Public Facility Energy and Water Saving Project
Petersham Bowling Club Ltd - Shades of Green Energy Project
Police & Community Youth Clubs NSW Ltd, Griffith - Greening PCYC Griffith with Water Saving Irrigation
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council - Port Macquarie Histric Amenities Education Model
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council - Water Capture at Port Macquarie Tranfer Station
Randwick City Council - Randwick Community Centre's Sustainability Makeover
Robertson Bowling Club Limited - Club Robertson Environment Enhancement Project (CREEP)
Rous County Council - 5 Star Water Aware Centre Project
Scout Association of Australia, NSW Branch - Sustainable Scout Sites
Sydney West Area Health Service - Western Sector Energy Efficiency Projects
Sydney West Area Health Service - Greening of Sydney West Area Health Service Phase 2
Sylvania Public School - Retrofit Hall to Create Outcomes same as Aircon without use of Power
TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute - Using Solar Desiccant Cooling to Reduce HVAC C02 Emissions
TAFE NSW - New England Institute - Reduction in Electricity use and C02 Emissions Tamworth TAFE Library
TAFE NSW - New England Institute - Electricity Consumption Reduction Gunnedah Campus
TAFE NSW - New England Institute - Armidale Electricity Refurbishment and Replacement Savings Program
TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute - Unique Solar Recycled Rainwater System for Greenskills
TAFE NSW - Western Institute - Sustainability Trades Education Centre
The Association for Christian Education Blacktown - Water Harvesting and Sustainable Washroom Facilitites Upgrade
The Legislature - Parliament House: Energy Reduction Program
Trustees of the Sisters of Mercy Diocese of Bathurst - Living with Water and Sun: Community Learning to Manage Energy for Life
University of New South Wales - Water Conservation Measures at UNSW Lifestyle Centre
University of New South Wales - Cogeneration Facility: Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW
Willoughby City Council - Backwash Recycling at Willoughby Leisure Centre
Willoughby City Council - Chatswood Civic Place: Innovative Sustainable Energy Savings Inititives and Environmental Education Centre
Woollahra Municipal Council - Sustainable Woollahra: Water Saving Challenge
Young High School - School Grounds Improvements
Baulkham Hills Shire Council has improved water efficiency at the Waves Swimming Centre, and adjacent Rose Garden, Child Care Centre and Alfred Henry Whaling Reserve. Rainwater tanks have been installed to store and recycle water runoff from the Waves Swimming and Child Care Centre buildings. Water efficient products such as low-flow showerheads and tap flow restrictors have been installed to save drinking water. Water captured in rainwater tanks will be reused in a sub-surface drainage system to irrigate the playing field at Alfred Henry Whaling Reserve. The project is an educational tool showcasing water saving technology to the local community. It is saving 66.6 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Baulkham Hills Shire Council has transformed its Community Environment Centre into a model Sustainable Home to demonstrate household sustainability in action and teach visitors how to do the same. The project includes the installation of a solar power system, a solar hot water system, insulation, rainwater tanks, a wet composting system and insulated window shutters. The centre hosts education initiatives, including workshops, site tours, online information and displays. The project is saving 1 million litres of water, 42 megawatt hours of electricity and 45 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
To drought proof West Wyalong in Central Western NSW, Bland Shire Council is building a major stormwater harvesting system to irrigate several of its public facilities, including sporting fields, parks, gardens and street landscaping. The project will establish a partnership between Bland Shire Council, Lake Cowal Conservation Centre, the Lachlan CMA, local schools and the Tidy Towns Committee to regenerate a local wetland to return it to the bird sanctuary that it once was.
The Blue Mountains Leisure Centres have installed three Thermal Pool Blankets on the 25 metre pool, the program pool and the spa at the Springwood Aquatic and Fitness Centre. These blankets are used for 10 hours each night to contain heat and are saving 1,710 megawatt hours of electricity and 1,813 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Carrathool Shire Council has implemented water savings in its public facilities to improve efficiency and raise community awareness of climate change. Four swimming pools in Goolgowi and Hillston have been fitted with pool blankets to save water from evaporation. Carrathool Shire Council has hosted school tours of the sites to teach students about climate change and the technologies available to reduce to water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The project is saving 8.2 million litres of water, 120 megawatt hours of electricity and 127 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Students living at Charles Sturt University's Wagga Wagga campus researched why people are becoming more energy-efficient. The study was led by Charles Sturt University senior academics and involved 400 students living in 50 houses. It investigated the best motivators for energy savings, using practical tools such as smart meters and social marketing techniques like education, engagement and prompts. During the research stage, the students cut their energy use by at least 15 per cent, which is almost four tonnes of greenhouse gas in the first 10 years in each house. The University has developed a program to roll out across all its campuses, saving 300 megawatt hours and 1,866 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Charles Sturt University has installed energy and water saving technologies including efficient lighting and amenities fixtures at its Wagga Wagga Campus to save 2,060 megawatt hours of electricity, 2,184 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and more than 78.6 million litres of water in the first 10 years. The project also features the production of internet video case studies promoting the projects to the local community.
The Chillingham Community Centre has been transformed into an information hub for sustainability to showcase renewable power, and water and energy efficiency. The project involves installing solar power, solar hot water and a solar-driven Climate Control System which negates the need for electricity-powered heating or cooling. The project complements the Chillingham Community Association's broader environmental education program and creates a showcase for water and energy efficiency. The project is saving 10 megawatt hours of electricity and 11 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Botany Aquatic Centre will save drinking water and limit discharge to the sewer by retrofitting the centre's amenities with 4-star water efficient products, including dual flush toilets and flow restrictors on showers and taps. The Centre will harvest rainwater from roof areas, which will be used to flush toilets and urinals and water gardens. An automatic backwash system will also be installed, helping to save 15 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
City of Canada Bay Council is using a high-tech communications network tool coupled with data collected from an existing weather station, to make water and energy savings at local playing fields and golf courses. The system will automatically adjust irrigation and lighting settings if the linked weather station detects rain, evaporation and high levels of wind. The system is saving 20% on current water and energy use, which equates to estimated savings of 195.3 million litres of water, 684 megawatt hours of electricity and 725 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Community group Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle will save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by installing solar photovoltaic panels onto the roofs of up to six schools on the Balmain-Rozelle peninsula. The electricity generated by each array of solar panels on the school will be monitored and used by the students to raise their awareness of photovoltaic generation versus energy consumed at the school. The project will save approximately 170 megawatt hours of electricity and 180 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
The Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool has completed a water and energy efficiency overhaul with the help of the NSW Climate Change Fund. The project installed 720 square metres of solar panels to heat the water for the pools and extend the swimming season. A rainwater harvesting, treatment and reuse system and new cartridge filter system provides an alternative water source for the pool and is saving town water. The project is saving 25.3 million litres of water, 270 megawatt hours of electricity and 286 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Treated sewer water is being captured for reuse in the Coffs Harbour Botanic Gardens as part of a major program to wean the parklands off town water supplies. The reclaimed water is sourced from the new $96 million Coffs Harbour Water Reclamation Plant, which is capturing, treating and recycling sewer water which would once have been discharged to the sea through deep ocean outfalls. The project has significantly reduced the Gardens potable water consumption, decreased costs and provided a buffer against water restrictions. The project is saving 217 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
The Coffs Harbour region will soon have its first solar public building. Rigby House accommodates the two most patronised public facilities in the region - the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery and the City Library. This initiative involves installing a solar grid feed system on the roof to supply up to half of the energy requirements of the building and will save more than 1,120 megawatt hours of electricity and 1,187 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years. As a venue for a new Business and Industry Network and other community activities, the building's green retrofit will be used to increase understanding of the practical application of sustainable technology among the Coffs Harbour community.
The refit of the Mid North Coast's Centre for Sustainability is saving potable water from the Comboyne Village water supply through the installation of tanks to harvest rainwater for reuse indoors. Photovoltaic solar panels have been installed on the roof to generate power for the building, with excess power fed back into the grid. To reduce the energy demand, the lighting and hot water systems have been upgraded and skylights installed to bring in natural light. The project combines practical initiatives with education to make the centre a showcase public demonstration site for energy and water savings. It is saving 200,000 litres of water, 89 megawatt hours of electricity and 94 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Communities NSW
Greening the Wharf
Funding: $1,177,000
Communities NSW, in conjunction with the Sydney Theatre Company and the arts community at Pier 4/5 Walsh Bay, will transform an iconic, heritage-listed finger wharf on Sydney Harbour into a publicly accessible green technology showcase. The building's energy consumption will be slashed as a result of the installation of Australia's largest building-integrated solar photovoltaic array. More energy efficient lighting and controls will also be installed and a solar hot water system to save 5,980 megawatt hours of electricity and 6,339 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years. Water efficient fixtures and an innovative rainwater harvesting system will help save the department more than 88.1 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Two major NSW sports centres will be slashing their water and energy use through efficiency upgrades to sports halls, playing fields and accommodation facilities. These two projects at the Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre and Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation at Narrabeen involve the installation of insulation, energy efficient lighting, controls, motion sensors, water-efficient fixtures and fittings and rainwater tanks. The two sports centres offer state-of-the-art sport and recreation facilities and accommodation, with a combined occupancy of more than 350,000 bednights annually. The project will save 342 million litres of water, 12,852 megawatt hours of electricity and 13,623 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
The Clarence Town swimming pool is now heated by the sun under this Dungog Shire Council project which replaced the existing grid-connected electric pool heating system with a solar model. The project is saving 7 megawatt hours of electricity and 7 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
The 'Learning by Doing' project at Charles Sturt University's Wagga Campus combined practical water and energy saving measures with education to raise awareness of water and energy management among students and the Wagga Wagga community. The project included lighting, air conditioning and water efficiency upgrades across the campus, saving 4,420 megawatt hours of electricity, 4,685 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and more than 44 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
This Council has introduced energy saving measures at four schools across the Eurobodalla Shire, with students involved in the auditing of their schools to identify both behavioural and additional changes that can be made to achieve efficiencies. The project has promoted smart resource use as a central theme by encouraging schools to adopt the NSW Sustainable Schools framework. Council has encouraged the uptake of energy efficiency and innovation measures within the rest of the Eurobodalla schools community and the residential sector. The measures are saving 34 megawatt hours of electricity and 36 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
The Nalawala Community Hall, Australia's largest straw-bale building, showcases a variety of energy conservation methods alongside Australia's first bicycle library and an indigenous plant nursery. The hub of community activity has a strong focus on building capacity in sustainable living. The centre's solar-passive design and energy saving fittings, such as energy-efficient lighting and appliances, solar hot water and photovoltaic panels, are saving up to 30 megawatt hours of electricity and 32 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Fairfield City Council has implemented demonstration and education projects in 12 early learning centres. The Council has installed rainwater tanks in the 12 facilities to harvest water for the grounds and gardens. The project provides an alternative water supply to keep playgrounds clean, green and safe for children to play and helps the gardens to flourish. The project is saving 1.8 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Hornsby Shire Council is using the CSIRO's newly developed predictive maintenance software to maintain heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in five public libraries. New software automatically alerts maintenance staff when the HVAC system starts to degrade so they can pro-actively maintain the system, restoring optimum efficiency and save an estimated 1,088 megawatt hours of electricity and 1,350 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Hurstville City Council will significantly reduce water consumption at Hurstville Golf Course through stormwater harvesting. This is estimated to save 180 million litres of water in the first 10 years. The harvesting system will collect rainfall in a storage dam onsite, storing and treating the rainwater for irrigation of the greens and tees. The Council will work with local stakeholders to inform the community and local businesses about the project, and demonstrate its benefits to the 50,000 people visiting the course each year.
The new Junee Library in an historic 1890s brick shop will become a flagship green building for the town. The building will use a night sky cooling environmental control system to negate the need for electricity-powered air-conditioning. The system works by using water jets to spray a fine mist of water over the roof for several hours late at night or early in the morning. As the water runs across the roof surface, it is passively cooled by the air and typically chills to 5-10 degrees celsius below the minimum night air temperature. The cooled water is collected from the roof, filtered and stored in insulated tanks for use in two chilled water air handling units which provide cool fresh air for the building. The cool air is channelled via ductwork running down the length of the building at low level. Warm air rises up to the glass louvers that can be opened to allow it to escape. The project will save 300 megawatt hours of electricity, 318 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 2 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Photovoltaic solar cells are being investigated and trialled as a sustainable initiative for use on the Kingsgrove to Revesby Quadruplication (K2RQ) Project. The Project is part of the NSW Government's Rail Clearways Program, designed to improve capacity and reliability on the CityRail network. The project involves the installation of solar cells onto some noise barriers inside the rail corridor between Kingsgrove and Revesby. The solar cells convert sunlight into electrical energy, which will then be distributed into the local power grid. Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation is delivering this project through an alliance with Leighton Contractors, Maunsell Australia, Sinclair Knight Merz, MVM Rail and Ansaldo STS (the K2RQ Alliance). The project is estimated to save 500 megawatt hours of electricity and 530 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
With the help of the neighbouring Roseville Golf Course, Ku-ring-gai Council is using harvested rainwater to keep Roseville Chase Oval in top condition. The project has installed a solar powered pump and transfer line to tap into a 21 million litre dam on the adjacent Roseville Golf Course. The oval is widely used by cricket and rugby clubs, local schools and residents and using water from the golf club's new dam provides a cost-effective way to meet its irrigation needs. The recycled water is also used to flush the toilets in the amenities block. This project is saving an estimated 27.2 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Leachate from the former St Ives Vegetation Landfill site will be treated and piped to the adjacent St Ives Showground and Council Nursery to be used for irrigation in place of potable water. The St Ives Showground is 47 hectares of bushland and developed areas, consisting of a variety of buildings, amenities and sporting ovals. The site has more than 360,000 visitors annually and is host to many community events. The Council Nursery supplies native and exotic plants for all Council's planting and re-vegetation needs. This project will save almost 109.3 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Lake Macquarie City Council will install highly efficient HVAC indoor temperature control equipment at the Council's Administration Building and Charlestown Library. This equipment will result in savings of 1,000 megawatt hours of electricity and 1,060 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years. The Council will use an interactive foyer display, newsletters and internal communications to inform staff and the 70,000 public visiting the Council's Administration Building each year.
Lake Macquarie Council has improved energy efficiency in 28 civic, cultural and community buildings by upgrading electric hot water systems to solar models and adjusting and improving air-conditioning settings at the local library and other council buildings. Night lighting around the council administration building has been upgraded with more efficient technology. The project includes 16 community halls, three senior citizens centres, five public libraries, councils administration building and an Art Gallery. It is saving an estimated 635 megawatt hours of electricity and 673 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
The Happy Camper initiative involved replacing hot water systems with energy efficient models, lighting upgrades and the installation of tanks to harvest rainwater to use in toilets and on gardens. Water-efficient fixtures and fittings have also been installed and an education program has been developed to promote the water and energy savings to holidaymakers. The Belmont Pines, Swansea Gardens, Wangi Point and Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Parks attract 100,000 visitors each year. The project is saving 33.2 million litres of water, 1,450 megawatt hours of electricity and 1,647 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Lismore City Council's 'CBD GREENovation Project' has demonstrated water and energy saving actions across a number of key public buildings in Lismore Central Business District. The Lismore Library, Adult Community Education Centre, Lismore Neighbourhood Centre, and Council's CBD Customer Centre have undergone a combination of green renovations including an energy efficient lighting retrofit and the installation of solar hot water, insulation, solar voltaic systems, rainwater tanks and timers. The project is complemented by an interactive and relocatable educational display to communicate ways to save water and energy at home or in business. The project is resulting in direct savings of an estimated 1.8 million litres of water, 1,010 megawatt hours of electricity and 1,071 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
State of the art energy saving floodlighting has been installed at Manly Oval to improve the quality and efficiency of night time lighting. Manly Oval hosts many sports and community events and currently needs to bring in temporary lighting to hold events after dark. The new energy efficient floodlights provide enough lighting coverage, while improving the focus of the lights on the playing fields rather than surrounding areas. The project is saving 160 megawatt hours of electricity and 170 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
To meet public facilities standards, the Marine Discovery Centre must replace its indoor air with 10 litres of fresh air per second per person - effectively replacing the entire air volume of the centre every 11 minutes. The centre has introduced air change technology which maximises energy efficiency by cooling the air coming in with the cool air coming out. Bulk insulation has also been installed at the centre, which is saving a further 15 per cent of annual air-conditioning energy use. The centre also implemented changes in their aquarium, such as installing a more efficient drive pump and insulation pipes which reduced the use of the chiller in the main aquarium. The project is saving 150 megawatt hours and 159 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Mogo Zoo is capturing, treating and reusing wastewater to clean animal enclosures as part of a major program that is saving 31.5 million litres of water in the first 10 years. A water treatment system has been installed to recycle waste water for cleaning and irrigation and rainwater tanks are harvesting rainwater to reuse in toilets, laundry and hose taps. This project is significantly reducing water use at the Zoo and is complemented with an education program to showcase the water recycling facilities to school groups, local businesses and visitors.
Murray Shire Council has made the Moama Recreation Reserve self sufficient for its water needs by expanding an existing stormwater dam from 5 to 20 megalitres. By increasing the dam capacity, the Council can take full advantage of the typically higher summer rainfall to store water for the drier months. The project is saving an estimated 520 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
The Powerhouse Museum will once again be generating its own power with backing from the Climate Change Fund's Public Facilities Program. This cogeneration project will provide electricity for lighting and air-conditioning at the museum as well as thermal energy to heat the water at the new Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre across the road. The Powerhouse Museum was opened in 1988 on the site of one of Sydney's first power stations. Today it uses more energy as a public museum hosting 700,000 visitors annually than it generated to power Sydney's trams. A major education component is planned as part of the project, with the museum proposing to revamp its existing exhibits to include a focus on energy and new technologies. The project is expected to save 19,700 megawatt hours of electricity and 6,007 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
The 865 students from the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts will soon be enjoying the benefits of new water and energy saving technology with the support of the NSW Climate Change Fund. Following water and energy audits, the school has installed solar PV and rainwater harvesting systems and replaced 25 toilets on the campus with waterless urinals and water efficient cisterns. A water and energy monitoring system has also been established with students collecting data as curricular activities for mathematics, science and geography. This project is saving 14.7 million litres of water, 70 megawatt hours of electricity and 74 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
North Sydney Council has installed a tank and pump at Forsyth Park to harvest, treat and reuse stormwater for the playing fields and park lands. The project is saving an estimated 46.3 million litres of drinking water in the first 10 years.
Northmead Public School community will install a rainwater harvesting system to save more than 3.4 million litres of water in the first 10 years. The system will become part of a new outdoor hands-on learning experience for students and demonstrate simple ways to minimise water use.
The new National Parks and Wildlife Service community building at Narooma will showcase the latest water and energy efficiency technology in new building design. Accommodating the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Marine Park Authority NSW and NSW Maritime and hosting more than 5000 visitors annually, the building will have no need for air-conditioning, maximise natural lighting and harvest rainwater to flush toilets and irrigate grounds. A combination of an underground cooling labyrinth, natural ventilation, sun shading and reverse masonry construction will moderate indoor comfort to negate the need for electricity-powered air-conditioning. Other components of the project are the use of energy-efficient fixtures and fittings, installation of three water tanks with storage capacity of 16 million litres and the retention of existing vegetation to shade the north side of the building. The project will save 290 megawatt hours of electricity, 307 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 1 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Oberon RSL Outdoor Men's Lawn Bowls Club has secured its long-term viability by installing a synthetic bowling green and underground water storage tanks. The synthetic green provides a cost-effective, long term solution to help the club maintain its greens in top condition and host bowls tournaments, school sports activities and community events. The project is saving an estimated 15.9 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Water energy and water saving upgrades have been undertaken at eight Parramatta City Council public facilities, including the Riverside Theatre, City Library and the Parramatta Heritage and Information Centre. Lighting upgrades and installed water-efficient fixtures and fittings are saving an estimated 2,530 megawatt hours of electricity, 2,682 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 40 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Petersham Bowling Club aims to become a model club in sustainability by implementing a raft of savings measures. The 'Shades of Green' Energy Project involved the installation of: ceiling insulation, awnings on the north and east windows and energy efficient refrigeration. Existing lighting has been upgraded with energy efficient lighting. The project is saving an estimated 50 megawatt hours of electricity and 53 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
The Griffith PCYC has become a greener and more water efficient facility, with the installation of a rainwater tank and automatic water-saving irrigation system. The grounds of the centre have been landscaped and planted with drought-resistant native plants, which are watered using rainwater captured from the roof of the centre and plumbed through the irrigation system. This project is saving 2.4 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has introduced water and energy efficient technologies to the historic Port Macquarie cemetery. A rainwater harvesting system now reduces demand for potable water by collecting and reusing rainwater to flush toilets. Solar panels have been installed to power sensor lights which can potentially feed energy back into the grid. An amenities building has been set up as an educational model to demonstrate practical ways to use environmentally friendly technologies in everyday life. This project is saving 600,000 litres of water, 20 megawatt hours of electricity and 21 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Port Macquarie waste transfer station now harvests and reuses rainwater to suppress dust generated from the resource recovery of concrete waste. The station's waste concrete crushing and reclamation plant previously used potable water for dust control. This project provided an alternative, renewable source of water through the installation of two rainwater tanks and related plumbing upgrades. In the first 10 years, the project is saving 1.9 million litres of potable water and provides a working example of sustainable water management in a facility used daily by the community.
A Sustainability Makeover will see the Randwick Community Centre retrofitted with passive solar design technology, solar panels and energy efficient appliances. The facility will also become more water efficient, with the installation of rainwater tanks to harvest and reuse water to flush toilets and water gardens. The Community Centre will serve as a demonstration site, with educational signage, to showcase resource conservation technologies and techniques in practice. This project will save 1.7 million litres of water, 44 megawatt hours and 107 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Robertson Bowling Club, near Wollongong, will install an artificial bowling surface to achieve massive water savings of 9.2 million litres in the first 10 years. The project will reduce the need for chemicals in irrigation processes and the club's members will benefit from new improved playing surfaces. The club will also upgrade to dual flush toilets, and install four new rainwater tanks and waterless woks to significantly slash its water use. The club will undertake a range of communication activities to raise awareness about the water efficient initiatives being installed to the club's members, local schools and business groups.
Rous County Council is working with childcare centres and four regional Councils to implement a major water conservation project that is saving more than 12.5 million litres of water in the first 10 years. Building on the demonstrated results of an existing Water Aware Centre Program, the project has created demonstration centres in four council areas by upgrading and installing water tanks and other water efficient appliances and fixtures in seven childcare centres. A range of education materials have been developed and delivered to the local community to promote the project and simple ways to minimise water consumption.
The NSW branch of the Scout Association of Australia will save more than 173 million litres of water in the first 10 years as part of a major upgrade of taps and toilets at 120 scout halls and activity centres across NSW. The association will also save 920 megawatt hours of electricity and 975 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first ten years, by upgrading to new hot water systems with energy efficient heat pump technology. With 20,000 members and volunteers in the NSW branch alone, the association will actively educate the community in the local area about the project through a comprehensive education program. This includes training group leaders, venturers and rovers in the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies and utilising a "Scouting for Saving" Save Water & Energy Action Pack. The association will also host quiz nights and deliver workshops to many community groups around project locations, while community groups using the scout facilities will be regularly exposed to messages highlighting the benefits of the project through signage, websites, media activity, signage and artwork.
The Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) will install micro-cogeneration units at the Blue Mountains Hospital in Katoomba which will provide electricity, hot water, domestic hot water and steam more energy-efficiently. The project will also involve lighting upgrades in Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Springwood, Portland and Westmead Hospitals and is expected to save 13,080 megawatt hours of electricity and 11,635 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Sydney West Area Health Service will embark on the second phase of a major energy efficiency upgrade at five of its facilities in Western Sydney, including Lithgow, Westmead, Blue Mountains, Mt Druitt and Blacktown hospitals. The project involves a range of initiatives including the installation of two wind turbines, solar hot water systems, two chillers, energy efficient lighting and controls. This project will help save 61,830 megawatt hours of electricity and 65,993 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years. The Area Health Service will implement a widespread communication and education strategy to raise awareness of the energy project amongst staff, patients and the local community.
Sylvania Public School will ditch traditional air-conditioning for its school hall in favour of more energy efficient options. The hall will be retrofitted with insulated roof panels, louvres and tinted windows, removing the need for inefficient electricity-powered air-conditioning. The school will also upgrade existing hall lighting with energy efficient technology. The project will save 10 megawatt hours of electricity and 11 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute's Hamilton campus will showcase the latest in energy savings technologies to the local community through a massive overhaul of their energy use. The tourism and hospitality training facility, with more than 4,000 students annually, will undertake a project to use the sun's energy to significantly reduce energy and hot water consumption in the air-conditioning system, saving 4,000 megawatt hours of electricity and 5,674 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Tamworth TAFE has undergone an energy efficiency overhaul that is reducing annual electricity use by an estimated 2,560 megawatt hours of electricity and 2,714 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years. The upgrade includes a new air-conditioning unit which utilises external air and reduces the need for condensers heating and cooling, as well as an isolating switch that restricts air-conditioning activity to when a room is occupied. The TAFE has been re-fitted with high-efficiency lighting and timer switches for the toilet lights and instant hot water heaters. Smart metering has been installed on-campus to monitor detailed electricity use, savings and to identify additional efficiency opportunities.
The New England Institute of TAFE has reduced energy consumption at its Gunnedah Campus by installing new lighting, motion sensors and timers. The campus has replaced its old linear fluorescent tubes and magnetic ballasts with T5 Tri-phosphor tubes and electronic ballasts. To reduce the unnecessary use of lighting throughout the campus, occupancy detectors, including motion and infra-red, have been installed in classrooms and large areas such as the library. Timers have also been installed on hot water heaters, toilets and security corridor lighting. This project is saving 380 megawatt hours of electricity and 403 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
TAFE NSW - New England Institute has undertaken a major upgrade of electrical fittings at its New England Campus, including the installation of sensors and timers to better control lighting systems. The project is helping the TAFE save 1,850 megawatt hours of electricity and 1,961 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years. The TAFE is promoting the project and its benefits through the Sustainable Living Expo, as well as various activities involving the 2,500 students studying at the TAFE each year. Activities include open days, courses and trade evenings with local contractors and wholesalers.
TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute will adopt a range of simple and efficient technologies at Enmore Design Centre to slash water consumption significantly and demonstrate ways to save energy and water to students and the general public. This will include installing rainwater tanks for watering the college's grounds and an adjacent community park to save 4.3 million litres of water in the first 10 years. The project will also include the installation of innovative solar security lights, a solar run water pump and real-time data loggers.
TAFE NSW - Western Institute has built an educational facility to teach tradespeople, the general community and an estimated 800 students about renewable energies, water efficiencies and low energy building design. The multi-purpose building provides hands-on demonstration of efficient building practices through passive design features, water harvesting for toilets and gardening, solar hot water and photovoltaic panels. The TAFE has over 2,000 apprentices and provides post trade training to over 300 students. The project is saving an expected 2.2 million litres of water, 160 megawatt hours of electricity and 1,648 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Tyndale Christian School has installed rainwater tanks to harvest and reuse rainwater for toilet flushing. Each of the four toilet blocks has been retrofitted with dual flush toilets and flow regulators have been fitted on taps to improve efficiency. The project is saving 43 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Solar energy now powers the lighting in both chambers of NSW Parliament House under a $3.4 million energy saving program. Installed solar panels cover 200 square metres of the Parliament's roof to generate enough energy to power the lighting in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. Energy-saving lamps have been installed throughout the building; fans now have variable speed drives; and air-conditioning and food storage chillers are now more efficient. With more than 200,000 visitors annually, including 30,000 school students, Australia's oldest parliament is a showcase for energy savings. The project is saving an expected 30 million litres of water, 16,300 megawatt hours of electricity and 17,278 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
The Rahamim Ecological Learning Centre in Bathurst will undertake a water harvesting project to capture rainwater for irrigating the grounds and gardens at the heritage building. The new tanks will help save 8.9 million litres of water in the first 10 years. The project also includes the installation of ceiling insulation, solar hot water and a photovoltaic system to save 140 megawatt hours of electricity and 148 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years. The project will be promoted to people accessing the building and the wider community through a number of communications tools including brochures, events, newsletters, workshops and practical demonstrations.
UNSW has undergone a series of efficiency upgrades to its Lifestyle Centre. The project has installed a series of wall mounted pool covers to reduce evaporation from its 50m Olympic pool and waterless urinals and timer taps in the bathrooms. Hot water heaters have been replaced and moved closer to the shower facilities to minimise cold water wastage. The UNSW has already cut water use on the Kensington campus by a third since 2000. The Lifestyle Centre is patronised by approximately 40,000 students a month and includes sports halls, squash courts and fitness studio, as well as swimming facilities. The project is saving an estimated 69.1 million litres of water and 2,795 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
A gas fired cogeneration unit has been installed on the roof of the Lowy Cancer Centre to provide hot water and electricity for the building and heat for an absorption chiller. The Centre provides a world class research facility for the Children's Cancer Institute of Australia and the adult cancer research activities of the UNSW Faculty of Medicine. This project is saving an estimated 26,160 megawatt hours of electricity and 10,631 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years.
Willoughby City Council has installed a pool backwash recycling system at Willoughby Leisure Centre to treat, clean and reuse the water. The system complements the heat pump, solar heating, rainwater storage and co-generation system at the Centre. The project is saving an estimated 920 megawatt hours of electricity, 975 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 18.2 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
The Chatswood Civic Place Project, a major public facility and entertainment centre, will save 516 megawatt hours of electricity and 547 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years through innovative energy savings. The facility will include a chilled-beam air-conditioning system and specialised energy efficient lighting in the Concert Hall, Theatre and Civic Hall. Combined with natural ventilation, passive solar design, it will be a showcase sustainability centre. Residents can also learn about the importance of energy-efficiency at Environmental Education Centre in the library and through tours of the Civic Place Project's sustainable design.
Woollahra residents are being encouraged to adopt water saving practices by seeing them in action at council community facilities. The Holdsworth Community Centre and garden has become a showcase for water efficiency with the installation of rainwater tanks, water saving fixtures and dual flush toilets. The Centre has been fitted with interpretation materials explaining the water conservation measures in place and also hosted a series of workshops and community events promoting waterwise practices around the home. The project is saving 5.9 million litres of water in the first 10 years.
Young High School is saving an estimated 14.6 million litres of water in the first 10 years through the installation of a 123,000 litre rainwater tank that supplies water to gardens and grassed areas at the school. The project also included a program to help raise awareness of water conservation amongst students, to help reduce the school's water use by up to 60 per cent.
Page last updated: 29 December 2011
