Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong and Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, announced that the Wide Bay Water Corporation would receive funding for their An Island is not an Island project.
“The project, based at Heron Island, acknowledges that infrastructure on an island can emit just as much greenhouse gas as in an urban centre,” Senator Wong said.
“It will highlight the benefit of reducing energy and water use in this unique World Heritage listed environment of the Great Barrier Reef.
“Flagship projects like this will become increasingly important as we continue to tackle the effects of climate change.”
Minister Garrett said several new technologies would be incorporated into the three sites, including new desalination technology, which will reduce the Island’s power requirement for water production by 60%.
“A retrofit of existing water facilities with water efficient products will help save up to 5,000 kiloliters of water a year,” Minister Garrett said.
Improving the efficiency of existing solar hot water systems and replacing the resort’s refrigerators with in-room eskies and ice machines will also cut energy use.
This project is one of 13 projects supported by the Rudd Government’s Green Precincts Fund, an initiative to prepare Australia for a future with less water and to encourage local communities to better manage their water and energy use.
