BYRON SHIRE Council’s Sustainability Officer Sandi Middleton and Byron Depot Workshop Team Leader, Rod Teale have teamed up to reduce Council’s carbon footprint by 27 tonnes a year, by replacing 177 light fittings in Council’s workshop depot.
Byron Shire Council’s sustainability officer Sandi Middleton said in looking for opportunities to reduce Council’s carbon foot print, the depot had been in her sights for a while.
“From a walk around the building with the Byron depot workshop team leader, Rod Teale, it was quickly identified that a lighting upgrade had significant potential for genuine savings.
“From an initial outlay of $23,500 the payback period is just over two years and the return on investment over the life of the lighting fittings is over $200,000,” she said.
Mayor Simon Richardson said it was an impressive outcome and had the same impact of removing 9 cars from the road, or the equivalent of energy use in 12 homes over a year.
“Plus, we have the added benefit of investing the savings back into Council’s revolving energy fund and further grow our energy savings and reduce our emissions.
“Potential next projects include the energy upgrades at community halls, Sandhills Childcare Centre and sports field lighting.
“Set up over five years ago, the revolving energy fund has produced some great outcomes for energy efficiency savings since it first started with solar at the Brunswick Valley Community Centre,” he said.