Page 3717 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 21 November 2006
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Meanwhile, we have gone on with business by introducing a range of measures to protect the environment. The ACT government is a foundation member of Green Power, the only accredited green energy product in Australia. In September 2005, the government increased its commitment to the purchase of green power to an estimated 23 per cent from 1 July 2006. In November 2005, the government committed to purchasing appliances with low-standby power usage, the first Australian jurisdiction to do so.
The government fleet has purchased 27 low-emission hybrid vehicles. We have already met our commitment to increase fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles in the fleet by 10 per cent in 2008, two years ahead of schedule. In the 2006-2007 budget, the government committed to all fleet vehicles becoming four-cylinder. Through ACTION, the government has purchased 42 compressed natural gas buses, at $17.2 million, bringing the percentage of gas-powered buses in the fleet to 11 per cent. Another 11 CNG buses are being procured in 2006.
The government also has a number of key objectives such as the incorporation of water-sensitive urban design principles in urban, commercial and industrial developments. The ACT government has drafted water-sensitive urban design guidelines to ensure that the built environment of the ACT becomes inherently water efficient. The ACT government implemented a range of domestic incentive programs to reduce our population’s reliance on mains-water supplies.
The design of the Alexander Maconachie Centre reflects the ACT government’s commitment to sustainable and responsible management of key resources such as water, electricity and natural gas. As part of the design process, a modified form of the green star rating tool was used to manage energy and water use at the site.
The ACT government has also committed over $21 million in funding to build the new Harrison school, with a green building approach in which emphasis is given to making the building energy efficient, capturing and storing rainwater for recycling and reducing greenhouse emissions. Beyond this, the ACT government has committed funding and in-kind support to the sustainable school initiative, which is an action-based program that involves the whole school community in sustainable management of the school. This addresses a range of energy and water consumption issues.
Other broader community programs include the ACT energy wise program announced in December 2004, which provides home energy audits and rebates for energy-efficient improvements, and the Home Energy Advisory Service, which provides advice to residents and small businesses on energy-efficiency measures.
Since December 2004, the ACT government has offered water tune-up services to ACT residents to improve efficiency in their homes and gardens. Think water, act water is a long-term strategy for water resource management. Fact sheets have been developed and have informed residents of simple measures that they can take to reduce water consumption in and about the home.
These programs are helping Canberrans take simple, practical steps around the home and garden to be smarter with water. They provide expert plumbing and horticultural services, water-efficient products and rebates. Over 7,300 ACT residents have taken up these programs so far.
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