Milton Library- Small with a BIG Heart.

Milton Library may be small and may only open for short hours- but some would consider it the heart of town. With over 200 people through the doors each day( Its only open Wednesday and Friday for 5 hrs) it well and truly services the town. From story time for preschoolers, large print books, DVDs, music and magazines and a public access computer it has the lot, even the building can boast its historic virtues as the old town hall built in the early 1900's.

I was horrified to learn that it was Council's intention to close Milton Library when the Ulladulla Library gets its upgrade. I wanted to move swiftly to cast away any ideas that this little library is going anywhere. On Thursday 25 June I put forward a notice of motion that requested that Council affirm a commitment to keep Milton Library open regardless of the state of play in Ulladulla. It was good to see that Councillors were unanimous in seeing this great asset remaining in the community.

Milton has a great blend of older persons and young people who use the facility, it is within easy walking distant of the retirement village, 3 primary schools, one high school, and numerous preschools. All Shoalhaven Libraries are part of the South Coast Library co-operative which covers Kiama to Bega and helps to extend the catalogue and share resources amongst South Coast residents. Volunteers are keen to help out at the Library so I hope that in the future we will be able to incorporate a friends of the library service so that we can extend access for the community, but for now, I am satisfied with the result of Thursdays meeting and the commitment to keep the library.

POWER SHIFT:Youth Climate Summit

Last nights council meeting saw unanimous support for my motion requesting funding for 2 youth delegates to attend the Power Shift:National Youth Climate Summit.

What was behind my actions?

Every year along with many other volunteers I attend World Environment Day at Ulladulla High School. the event is for year 7 and covers many aspects about the importance of our environment-my group focuses on biodiversity in plant life and how important plant life is in the web of life.

This year I attended the assembly to represent the Landcare group. Principal Tracey Provost gave an excellent talk on the challenges of climate change, Tracey made the statement 'that those who would make the greatest difference were in the room today'-Tracey meant the young people, but nearly 200 faces turned towards me, with expectant looks on their faces.

When I had time to reflect on this moment, I felt deeply ashamed that people of my generation-the so called Generation X are letting the Millennium Generation down when it comes to real action on climate change. We haven't been able to effectively lobby government to give us the tools we need to reduce carbon pollution- those tools include a Carbon Tax (not the useless version of CPRS currently being debated) a commitment to demand management, investment in energy savings technology and a move to renewable energy.

When I heard about Power Shift: National Youth Summit, I felt that sending delegate from the Shoalhaven was an excellent way to empower our Youth to help take control of the debate. Knowledge, skills and tools will be available for the delegates that attend, I hope that our Shoalhaven delegates come home as Climate Change leaders and help pull others along the path to action.

Thanks to the other Councillors who supported this small financial commitment that hopefully will have great benefit for helping empower the youth of Shoalhaven.

Feed in Tarriffs a HUGE Disappointment

It seems that the NSW State Government are masters at turning a good thing bad.

Yesterdays feed in tarriff announcement for solar electricty should have been a resounding yeah, but instead they added a three letter word to the whole deal and turned it into a booo.

So what is wrong with NET feed ins, well the average household system in NSW is rated at 1.5kw, which on a great sunny day only produces half of the household energy requirements and that is assuming that you have been smart and installed a solar hot water heater first. So a net tarriff only pays you $0.60 when you have surplus energy to sell- which as you can see will never happen-unless your away camping for a month somewhere nice!

And yet these stooges blow their own trumpet and tell us that you could earn up to $900 a year reduceing the payback of grid interacting solar power systems to less than 15 yrs.

I looked at my bill today, and we have a 2.5kw system installed and we wont be getting a cheque anytime soon! We may still be paying back our $28000 investment- but it feels as though we have well and truly got our moneys worth over the last 10 years. For what most people fail to think about is every dollar saved in outgoings is about $2.50 less that has to be earned!

So without a gross feed in tarriff and a decent rebate installing solar energy will start to be pushed further down the household wishlist- however I still think its a much more tangible option than the stock market investment wise.

follows is the text from todays Media Release- have a look at the SMH article hyperlinked above too.


Solar plan is road block to climate solutions

The battle within Nathan Rees’ cabinet over solar feed-in tariffs has been won by the coal faction, according to Greens Councillor Amanda Findley.
Commenting on the decision to opt for a ‘net’ feed-in tariff that does not reward renewable energy that is used by households, Clr Findley said: "Environment Minister Carmel Tebbutt has been run over by her colleagues.
"Finance Minister Joe Tripodi and his ally Energy Minister Ian Macdonald won the day for an ineffective scheme that will become an excuse for no further action to stimulate household renewable energy generation.
"The ‘brown’ faction in cabinet has robbed potential investors of the certainty of payment streams that is needed to secure financing for solar panels.
"Only the ACT has got it right with a ‘gross’ tariff that pays the bonus on all the energy generated.
"NSW has lost the opportunity to build on this state’s world leadership in solar research.
"Ian Macdonald’s net tariff will have almost no impact on jobs growth, cutting greenhouse gas emissions or building an export industry.
"Ministers Tebbutt and Macdonald claim this is the most generous scheme of all the states.
"This is simply spin to disguise the damage they have done by opting for an ineffective net tariff that will discriminate against stay-at-home mums, older people and the self-employed who work from their homes.
" I have invested $28000 on a 2.5 kilowatt system that is larger than the average 1.5 kilowatt system that has been taken up under the Federal Gov rebate scheme, under Rees scheme I will not see an extra cent returned on my bill and neither will any one else.
"The figure of up to $900 is a carrot that will only be received by those who install a system on an unoccupied holiday home or the like.
"By taking away the income certainty, a net tariff locks in a low level of uptake.
"This might suit those in cabinet who are hostile to renewable energy. It might help the coal industry by damaging a competitor. However it is bad news for NSW.
"The Greens will be seeking to amend the legislation to create an effective, gross feed-in tariff," Cl Findley said.

EVENT :Community Wind Power for the South Coast

WHEN: Monday 29 June 7.00pm

WHERE: Nowra City Arts Centre-(next to Nowra Library 12 Bery St)

WHO: All those interested in the opportunities that Community Wind Power has to Offer.

GUEST SPEAKER: Deputy Mayor Kiama Council- Ben van der Wijngaart

WHY: Climate Change needs direct action NOW not dithering government. The community Wind Farm model lets us claim back power and invest in a Clean Energy Future. Similar to the community bank model- Ben will explain the benefits for communities wishing to embrace a wind farm future. The South Coast offers some excellent opportunities for wind farming in small scale scenarios, Ben has been preparing this presentation for the Southern Councils Group as a discussion paper and proposal for a wind farm future.

Come along and hear what Ben has to say-preview the information before it is released to the greater public.

If you require any further information contact Councillor Amanda Findley-Shoalhaven City Council.

Federal Government - Pulls Solar Funding for Households.

With the excuse of overwhelming success the Federal Government has pulled the pin on the Solar Homes rebate scheme three weeks early. $8000 was available for homeowners to install Grid Interactive Solar voltaic power generation systems. This meant that homeowners for as little as $4000 of their own funds could substantially reduce their reliance on coal fired electricity production, keeping hold of the renewable energy certificates meant that householders had carbon trade able certificates to offset their home use.

(Picture Jonata and Glenn working on a Grid Connect System in Berry)

In coming weeks it is expected that the Federal Government will replace the scheme with an inferior model, which will mean that householders seeking a rebate will have to trade away their carbon certificates on the open market. To compound the situation the NSW State Government are dragging their heals on giving the community a feed in tariff that would stimulate the industry. At present selling the energy that you make back into the grid is the same cost as purchase at a mere $0.15 a kilowatt there is little inspiration to make clean green energy, other than your own moral position.

It is such a shame that the Federal Government continues to prop up the Coal industry and drives out the development of a solar industry in this country- we once were world leaders in manufacture and science but we have sold of the technology and manufacturing ceased in Australia at the beginning of 2009, a sad day indeed for Australian manufacturing.

Coolendel gets 17 Kilowatts of Solar Power

Shoalhaven can now boast one of the largest stand alone power systems on a tourist development.



Coolendel is a wonderful nature retreat for campers who wish to spend quality time on the magnificent Shoalhaven River.



So what is the big deal about 17 kilowatts of power?



Coolendel doesn't get power from the main electricity grid, but has to make its own and up until the weekend that was covered mainly by a noisy and expensive carbon polluting generator. The panels will provide the majority of the camp grounds power needs with the generator now as a backup.



This gives guests the unique opportunity to have a carbon neutral holiday. If you haven't been out that way recently, I recommend you take a trip out there. A fantastic sandstone gorge, peppered with river flat farms. The river is just brilliant for a canoe trip especially a few days after a refreshing shower.



Well done to the owners for taking the plunge and the Federal Government for funding a portion of the project.

Public Forum- Councillors to Discuss Options

I recently brought to Council the idea of including a public forum before councils monthly meeting. It was a surprising meeting with reactions from councillors ranging from exclaimations of nonsense to claims that it would revolutionise the way that council did its business of community consultation. In the end the notice of motion was changed to move the idea to a Councillor breifing- so that further discussion could take place. I am also hoping that some research will be conducted into other councils who offer up similar forums for their constituients, after all nothing is really new its just recycled. At the end of the meeting I was satisfied that all counillors had taken part in the debate and that further discussion would take place. I look forwrd to a favourable outcome- one that sees the community gaining more access to Council as a whole.