Voice of Byron

BYRON SHIRE Deputy Mayor Paul Spooner has called for the adoption of an expenditure target for renewable energy generation and consumption in the next term of council.

Cr. Spooner said, “I was a bit shocked to learn in the last financial year Byron Shire Council only spent 0.03% of its $74 million budget on renewable energy production and consumption. This, from a council that has set a goal to become Australia’s first zero emissions community.”

“I would like to see Council, in its next term, set an expenditure target of 1% on renewable energy production and consumption.”

In the last financial year Byron Council spent only $25,300 towards renewable energy generation projects and $0 dollars on buying renewable energy.

“In fact, the current electricity contract supplied to Council is for coal powered electricity only,” he said.

Cr. Spooner acknowledged Council has some limited focus on renewable energy over recent years – installing solar panels on community facilities such as a 5kW system for Brunswick Heads Community Centre and a 50kW system at the West Byron STP.

“But I believe Council could play a much larger role in supporting and generating renewable energy in our region.”

“I would think most ratepayers would be shocked to learn that Council is only buying coal powered electricity.”

“By establishing a 1% renewable energy expenditure target we would be turning words into actions and doing good things for the environment straight away.”

“I was personally very encouraged this year by the establishment of Lismore Community Solar under the leadership of Mayor Jenny Dowell. This initiative will create two 100kW solar farms for the region. I think it’s a project Byron Council could learn a lot from.

“We should be using the experience of our sister council in Lismore to help move the region forward in the production and consumption of renewable energy.”