Coalition Commits to Real Action for a Sustainable Future
08-August-2010
A Coalition Government will take real action to secure the future of our local environment in the Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains.
Louse Markus MP together with the Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage Greg Hunt MP, announced that a Coalition Government will invest $2.5 million into local projects that will deliver real results for the local environment, if elected on August 21.
“A Coalition Government will provide $500,000 to the University of Western Sydney’s Richmond Campus to find uses for algae on the Hawkesbury Nepean River as an alternative energy source,” Mr Hunt said.
“Algae bloom on the river over the summer months is a real threat to the natural biodiversity of the river. By finding ways to use the algal bloom, the University of Western Sydney aims to improve the local environment as well as reduce Co2 emissions in the atmosphere as a result of developing alternative fuels,” Mrs Markus added.
The driving of this research from Greater Western Sydney is an important step in improving the significance of this region as a research hub in bio-sciences.
Mrs Markus and Mr Hunt also announced $2,000,000 to the communities of Blaxland and Glenbrook in the lower Blue Mountains to enable these communities to reduce their reliance on traditional power supplies.
“Community groups as well as residences and businesses in the Lower Blue Mountains will be able to apply for funding to receive solar technologies to reduce their reliance on traditional fossil-fuel fired power sources,” Mr Hunt announced.
“The installation of solar panels will potentially enable the sale of surplus power back to the grid and the generation of additional income for the community group, small business or home owners. We will work with the local council on this project, and together will confirm which households will be included in the solar towns area.”
”The local community is right behind this initiative which will have a tangible effect on reducing Co2 emissions in the Blue Mountains region,” Mrs Markus said.
“The Solar Cities program developed by the previous Coalition government also operates in Blacktown - a project delivered during my first term in Parliament. I have always lobbied hard to secure funding to improve our local environment.
“With a proven track record of delivering funding for important environmental programs I am determined to deliver a solar town for the lower Blue Mountains and to take real action to secure the future for our local environment in the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains” Mrs Markus said.