Coalition promises $300m for a cleaner State
Ballina MP Don Page says a NSW Coalition Government would establish a $300 million Clean NSW Fund to finance climate change and environmental projects throughout the State.
Mr Page said specifically the Liberal/Nationals Coalition will:
Allocate $40 million for the development of a solar power station in NSW.
Allocate $58.5 million to provide rebates of up to $1000 to install solar hot water systems.
Provide $5 million to install solar power in 400 schools.
Set mandatory renewable energy targets on NSW energy retailers of 10 per cent by 2012, 15 per cent by 2020 and a 20 per cent goal by 2025. Only renewable energy projects located in NSW will count towards targets.
Invest $10 million for renewable energy research at the CSIRO Energy Centre, including developing solar energy potential in NSW, proving the Hunter Valley hot dry rocks resource and use of crop waste for electricity generation.
Roll out smart meters to reduce energy use in up to 50,000 homes
Allocate $10 million to assess potential reservoirs for geo-sequestration from coal-fired power stations and initiatives to retrofit existing coal-fired power stations
Mandate two per cent ethanol use in fuel in 2007, with a goal to increase to 10 per cent by 2011 and raise public awareness and confidence in ethanol blended fuels
Commit an extra $20 million to weed and feral animal control in National Parks
Reward landowners who provide biodiversity conservation services to NSW with extra credits in property vegetation plans and landscape vegetation plans
Establish a $10 million Sustainable Land Use Fund to acquire land for wildlife refuges and linkages where the proposal is made by the landowner and other methods are not appropriate
Establish a $20 million Recycling Infrastructure and Markets Support program to be available to industry and local councils for projects that reduce waste, develop new products from recycled materials and help market recycled products
“The Clean NSW Fund will be financed through the sale of the NSW Waste Service,” Mr Page said.
“We have to work together as a community, as a State and as a country to address climate change and the NSW Coalition is fully committed to preserving our environment for generations to come.”
