Campaign Media Release
Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Homelessness Doug Cameron
Candidate for Mitchell Andrew Punch
CARBON PRICE HELPS CASTLE HILL RSL SAVE $200,000 A YEAR
A new on-site electricity plant launched today at the Castle Hill RSL in Sydney's
north-west is set to deliver huge cost savings to the club, enabling it to invest even
more in the local community.
Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Homelessness Senator Doug Cameron
said the new system will slash the Castle Hill RSL club’s electricity bills and help the
environment by cutting carbon pollution.
“I congratulate the Castle Hill RSL club for taking action to cut emissions and benefit
from the introduction of the carbon price to slash its electricity bills,” Senator
Cameron said.
“The innovative new tri-generation system I have officially opened today is going to
save the club $200,000 a year and will cut emissions by half – the equivalent of
taking 268 cars off the road each year or planting 12,000 new trees.
“Of course, this is only possible because Labor has implemented a carbon price
which is already helping to cut carbon emissions and encourage businesses to
become more energy efficient.
“By charging large polluters, we then use that money to help households, businesses
and communities to use energy in smarter, cleaner ways.
“This in marked contrast to the Liberal Party’s absurd Direct Action policy, which will
cost Castle Hill households $1200 each – which Tony Abbott wants to hand over in
subsidies to the big polluters.”
Candidate for Mitchell Andrew Punch said the Federal Labor Government had
invested $495,400 in the Castle Hill RSL club’s new tri-generation system that
captures waste heat and turns it into heating, cooling and surplus electricity, saving
on energy costs and cutting carbon pollution.
“The Castle Hill RSL is dedicated to supporting its local community and the energy
savings achieved from this project will enable the club to deliver even more,” Mr
Punch said.
“The club will now be powered almost entirely by cleaner electricity generated on
site, and is a shining example of how the carbon price is funding practical clean
energy projects that have financial and environmental benefits.”
Castle Hill RSL’s $1 million project is a joint commitment between the club and the
Federal Labor Government through the Community Energy Efficiency Program
(CEEP), which is providing $112 million in grants to local councils and community
organisations to adopt practices that increase the energy efficiency of community
use-buildings, such as sports centres, town halls and libraries.
“Castle Hill RSL - ‘Your Green Club’ - is committed to sustainable business practices
and protecting our environment for current and future generations,” said Warren
Glenny, President, Castle Hill RSL Group.
“Sustainable initiatives are integrated into our whole of business approach therefore
the CEEP grant presented the opportunity to assist with the upfront purchase of the
tri-generation system which will achieve longer term energy efficiency outcomes,
improving our return on investment and overall responsibility to members, the
broader community and our environment.”
The RSL Club will redirect the money from its energy savings back into the
community. It directly supports over 20 sporting and other clubs, and provides
significant assistance to numerous local charitable organisations.
The Castle Hill RSL Club is one of 170 successful recipients under the program.
More information on CEEP funding recipients and their projects is available at:
www.ee.ret.gov.au/energy-efficiency/grants
Media Contact: Tim Colquhoun 0408 538 832
5 SEPTEMBER 2013
CASTLE HILL
Communications Unit: T 03 8625 5111 www.alp.org.au
Authorised by G. Wright, Australian Labor Party, 5/9 Sydney Avenue, Barton, ACT, 2600