Page 495 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 23 February 2010
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We are very grateful for the support of all of these sponsors in promoting the important message of Earth Hour. In the past Canberrans have shown a very strong willingness to be involved in this program. Indeed, in 2008-09 we had the highest participation rate of any city in the country, with over 62 per cent of all Canberrans choosing to participate in some way.
This year we will be continuing to actively promote Earth Hour. The ACT Department of Education and Training, I note, will be promoting Earth Hour through schools, which is fantastic in terms of engaging young people in this very important message. The government will continue to support and work with these other organisations in promoting this very important event.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Porter, a supplementary question?
MS PORTER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, how can the community become involved in Earth Hour?
MR CORBELL: Again I thank Ms Porter for the question. The important thing is that Canberrans can register to be involved in Earth Hour through the Earth Hour website. That is very important in terms of highlighting the level of participation that is occurring in our city.
However, there is more than just that way in which Canberrans can be involved. Canberrans can also take advantage of many of the ACT government’s own programs to help improve energy efficiency at home and the general sustainability of living at home. For example, later this year I will be announcing a range of grants to community organisations as part of our community energy grants programs. These are worth up to $25,000 each to community organisations to install renewable energy generation as part of their operations. It is a great opportunity for community groups to get involved in the message around Earth Hour in an ongoing way.
Equally, people in the community can take advantage of the HEAT scheme here in the ACT. For $30 you can get a full energy assessment of your house—a home energy assessment in your house—to look at ways in which you can improve the operation of your home, to reduce energy inefficiency. I know that a number of members in this place have taken advantage of that. It is a very effective program and one that also allows you to take advantage of a $500 rebate from the government if you spend a certain amount of money as part of your home energy improvement.
The government is making opportunities available to Canberrans to further improve energy efficiency at home and carry the message of Earth Hour into every day of the year.
MR HARGREAVES: A supplementary, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES: Noting that, with the exception of Ms Le Couteur who is sitting here riveted to your answer, minister, and the Greens’ disinterest otherwise,
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