URALLA’S Zero Net Energy Town project has a bright future with an injection of more than $20,000 in funding announced to propel the initiative forward.
State MP Adam Marshall said the Australian-first project was an important project in the future of the district.
“The objective of Z-Net is to provide practical measures to bring the cost of energy down,” Mr Marshall said.
“We have enormous capacity in this region to be at the cutting edge of renewable energy in this country.
“It suggests that by making some well-understood changes to how we construct buildings and source energy, we can run our communities without needing to draw on massive supplies of energy from elsewhere.”
The MP announced the additional $21,000 in State Government funding at the official office opening on Friday to keep the project moving forward.
“Z-Net is not just about renewable energy development but reducing energy consumption,” Mr Marshall said.
“No one underestimates how challenging it is to change a town and a culture that has been built around a different energy model, but the important thing is that Uralla is trying, and bit by bit, succeeding.” Z-Net coordinator Stephen Griffith welcomed all residents who wanted to learn more about renewable energy strategies.
“It’s not just solar panels, we actually work with a whole range of strategies to help the town become more energy efficient,” Mr Griffith said.
“It’s an exciting time for the Uralla community.
“It marks a place and human face for the project and Uralla’s desire to be a sustainable community.”
