“Let’s set an agenda for direction. I’m looking for a team effort. Let’s set an achievable goal, for future generations,” Cr Miegel told council.
Deputy Mayor Shaun Whitechurch spoke in favour of a Notice of Motion by Cr Miegel, at council’s monthly meeting on April 16, in Urana.
“I support it wholeheartedly but rather than just commit, let’s start now,” Cr Whitechurch said.
Cr Miegel’s motion involves Federation Council engaging appropriately qualified consultants to investigate opportunities to reduce council’s current energy consumption.
His stated charter for consultants is to obtain more favourable energy pricing, maximize council’s capacity for renewable energy generation via PV solar installations at all of its current sites of consumption with a view to including additional technology for energy storage, and actively pursue any available grant funding.
“The ever advancing technology, and decreasing installation costs, associated with renewable energy is providing an affordable alternative to traditional power generation in addition to its environmental benefits,” Cr Miegel said.
“Council is a large consumer of electricity, and with prices predicted to only increase, this will place further financial pressure on council’s operating budget.”
About five years ago, the then Corowa Shire Council embarked upon a renewable energy project with the aim of reducing, not only its carbon footprint, but also its operational cost of electricity.
Council identified the highest electricity consumption sites and installed a total of 416Kw of solar PV generation attached to the 14 highest electricity using sites together with other electricity saving measures.
The maximum size of any one site was 100Kw in order to reduce the regulatory and administrative workload to council staff. Urana Shire Council also installed a solar PV generation system attached to its offices in Urana to achieve similar aims.
“The Riverina is blessed with abundant sunshine and, with increasing options due to emerging technologies, Federation Council will benefit from professional assistance to navigate the most cost effective outcome for both the organisation and the rate-payers,” Cr Miegel said.
Council unanimously agreed to commit to commence becoming electricity neutral and to engage consultants as per Cr Miegel’s Notice of Motion.
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