It’s a great time to go solar With Australians suffering the effects of soaring temperatures at dangerous highs and extreme weather patterns and storms, there has never been a better time to capitalise on the multiple Queensland Government rebates and go solar. Australian authorities recently released multiple severe weather warnings and health warnings advising Australians to stay cool in any way possible and be aware of those more vulnerable and the signs to look out for of dehydration and heat stroke. While many Noosa residents and visitors took advantage of the blazing sun, enjoying a summer of sun and splashing at the beach, many other more vulnerable residents were forced to stay indoors to seek respite, often spiking power bills, running expensive air conditioning to seek comfort from the heat. Sadly, some residents complain the rising cost of electricity simply renders air conditioning an unaffordable luxury. Thankfully the Queensland Government is one of the more generous incentive providers, offering generous rebates to install solar systems. Couple this with the reducing cost of purchasing the solar systems, and the average system now pays for itself quicker than ever before, with the average discount for a single storey, tin roof home in Queensland around $2664 at the point of purchase. This doesn’t factor in the ever-rising cost of purchasing electricity. Being Queenslanders, locals and homeowners can now also purchase battery storage to reduce and eliminate the peak time costs of purchasing energy, and receive up to $4000 in rebates towards the system. This
rebate is means tested and scaled, however, never has there been a better time to go solar and reduce our carbon emissions on a dramatic scale. Some residents have even managed to profit by installing batteries on their homes, simply by shopping around for the best deals. Renters may feel disheartened about their lack of control on their energy costs, but approaching landlords about slightly increasing rent to cover installation costs may be enough to persuade them to install and ensure there is benefit to them as well as tenants. The reduction in power bills can easily cover the increased rent for tenants and in some cases even negate them and may be a great way to offset living costs, all while increasing the property value for landlords and making their rental properties more desirable. Likewise, for landlords or homeowners considering installing solar, dozens of lending institutions now offer extremely affordable green loans to support them in making the transition to a more sustainable future for themselves, their families and the broader community, with loan repayments equating to less than their current power bills. For more information on the Queensland grants, go to www.epw.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/battery-booster-program. Interested in finding out more or joining Zero Emissions Noosa Inc.? Go to zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au
Children Bowen and Piper next to the author’s battery storage and inverter. Picture: SUPPLIED
Help clean up wetlands This summer NICA and Bush Renewalls are working with conservation volunteers to clean up and repair some of the most degraded wetland sites in Noosa Estuary. NICA’s Peter Hunnam said the hot and humid foreshore fun continues with weeding and cleaning up the foreshore at Shields Street on Friday 2 February from 7am. On Saturday from 7-10am everyone is welcome to join in the clean up and weeding, learn about the Wetland restoration process, help to start re-planting of the degraded areas, if conditions are suitable and share morning tea and discussion on the progress. Next week the team are looking for volunteers to weed and clean up the Tewantin Park foreshore, in front of the Gallery on Wednesday 7 and Friday 9 February. On Saturday 10 February there will be
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a Wetlands field day with morning tea and discussion, after weeding from 7am. Participants need to sign on and off with site coordinator, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, hat, gloves, boots and bring sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses/ safety glasses, water, a small hand weeding tool if you have one and any questions about wetlands, weeds, restoration actions, and any questions which organisers will try to answer them. Also bring a chair, if you like, for the morning teas on Saturdays and keep a wary eye on the weather. No unaccompanied children please For more email NICA office manager at admin@noosariver.com.au or phone 5449 9650. Check the NICA website for site changes due to wet weather.
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Nippers of Peregian
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Peregian Nippers experienced their first mini-carnival for the year last Sunday as the fledgling surf club continues to build up its members. As the youngsters learn the skills they need to be safe in the surf and eventually learn to keep others safe, adult are signing up to become lifesavers and volunteers at the Peregian Beach Surf Club.
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For more on the nippers carnival see page 41
Peregian Nippers experienced their first mini-carnival for the year last Sunday as the fledgling surf club continues to build up its members. As the youngsters learn the skills they need to be safe in the surf and eventually learn to keep others safe, adult are signing up to become lifefor breaches of its Quarry Management Plan dust problems in the area, plus it seeks their suburbia. We didn’t go there to have it inflicted By Margaret Maccoll savers and volunteers at the Pere(QMP). thoughts on the best way to address commu- upon us. If you think of 200 trucks a day, that’s More than 20 hinterland residents are acting fairly disruptive. It’s not consistent with the At a roundtable meeting last Friday Coun- nity concerns. gian Beach Surf Club. as secret agents as they gather evidence for cil announced quarry operators Cordwell Mayor Clare Stewart said residents were idyllic life you want to take up.”
Quarry quandary Noosa Council to back up its legal case against
Resources had been issued a further $27,000
best placed to describe the environment, noise
Ms Bonsall recalled a recent incident where
residents have volunteered to complete a 30-question survey. It asks them to detail the current environment, the nature of the impact of more than 200 truck movements daily,
the community because of the impact of the trucks. “It’s ruined paradise,” she said. The majority of us went to live in Kin Kin to get out of
Ms Bonsall said the community was appreciative of the effort being put in by council and Ms Bolton. Continued on page 5
operators of the Kin Kin Quarry.The quarry op- in fines, bringing the total over the past four impacts and other amenity issues which relate a mother taking her young children to school For more on the nippers erates under a legal license but residents say months to $80,000, none of which has been directly to the quarry’s truck movements.Kin over the range was forced to swerve over to the increased truck movements to more than 200 a paid. Kin Community Group president Jan Bon- edge of the road when she met a truck on a carnival see pageday 41 to and from the quarry is threatening their To assist in preparing Council’s legal case, sall said depression and anger were rife in corner. “She’s terrified,” she said. lifestyle, businesses, mental health and safety on the road. As the evidence is mounting Council is putting pressure on the quarry in the form of fines
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