Gross Solar Meters for Existing PV Systems
It's time to make arrangements to get your home's solar PV system ready for the gross feed in tariff. Under the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme, only customers with gross metering arrangements are eligible for the 60 cent/kwH (noting that some energy retailers are offering 66c / kwH) gross feed-in tariff after the transition period expires on the 1st of July.
We suggest householders with existing solar PV systems and net meters organise this gross meter for their home in coming weeks, as there is likely to be further delays in the installation of these meters, and you never know when the scheme will reach its limit of 'subscribers'. The meter is free, but residents must arrange and pay for the electrician to install the meter. The first step is to get a qualified electrician on board who will inspect your meter box, put a purchase order in for the right meter with Energy Australia, and do the installation. They should also look after all the required paperwork.
Its a Living Thing
Our environment - it's a living thing is the overarching environmental education program of the NSW Government. This state-wide initiative motivates and encourages people to adopt environmentally sustainable lifestyles. Visit Its a Living Thing Website, a resource provided by the NSW Government Department of Environment & Climate Change.
The Hills Shire Council 'Living Sustainably' Workshop Series
The Hills Shire Council and the Friends of the Environment Centre invite you to their 'Living Sustainably' Workshop Series held each month at the Environment Centre. Click here to learn more.
Planet Ark
Planet Ark works to show people and businesses the many ways they can reduce their day to day impact on the environment - at home, at work and in the community. To view the Planet Ark website click here.
Virtual Sustainability Home
Click here to view the Bunnings Warehouse Sustainability Home. You can navigate through this virtual home moving from room to room taking in 360 degree views. Gain handy tips on sustainability and read frequently asked questions and answers. Learn how to save water and energy and how to recycle around your home.
Sustainable Edible Gardening using pots and containers
Imagine a 'moveable feast' in your back yard, providing your family with a plethora of edible plants, fruits, vegetables and herbs to enhance any meal you prepare. Courtesy of Sustainable Gardening Australia, learn how you can produce an edible garden using containers and pots.
Stop Green Waste Bin Abuse
Ever wondered why The Hills Shire Council has provided your household with a Green Waste bin? Courtesy of Sustainable Gardening Australia find out the benefits to the environment of recycling your green waste and how best to use your Green Waste bin.
Learn how you can save power and your hard earned money at the same time.
The NSW Government has just launched an extensive advertising campaign to demonstrate how power use impacts on the environment and creates carbon pollution. It features ways householders can save power and money. For more information, tools and tips on how to save power at home visit the Save Power website.
What You Can Do - To help improve water quality in our waterways
At Home:
• Use phosphorus free detergents in the kitchen and laundry and where possible use natural based cleaners such as vinegar, lemon juice and bicarbonate soda.
• Don't allow paint, chemicals or oil to enter ANY drain. Dispose of unwanted chemicals, paints and oils responsibly through the Household Chemical Cleanout Program and wash paint brushes over a sand filter on the lawn, rather than over drains or on a path.
• Visit: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/education/SPD_CHEM_Cleanout.htm for further information.
• Do not overfill your household waste bins, as windy days may permit waste materials to spill onto roadways and into street gutters.
• Install water saving devices, such as aerators on household taps, dual flush toilets and restricted flow shower heads. This is particularly important to residents within the rural areas of the shire whom depend on septic systems to dispose of their waste water. This reduces the waste water output, hence reducing the risk of high nutrient run-off entering local water systems
• Get to know your waste water treatment system, including grey and black water treatment systems. Knowing how to identify and respond to a potential leak can reduce the risk of contaminated run-off.
In the Garden:
• Use a broom to sweep up leaves and grass clippings from your driveway, the kerbside gutter in front of your house and other hard surfaced areas.
• Cover piles of soil/sand and other loose construction/landscaping materials as wind and rain will sweep pollutants into the storm water drain.
• Prevent soil and mulch from being washed onto the road by ensuring all gardens are located away from the stormwater drain. Also when disturbing soil or using mulch around trees on your property ensure that adequate sediment and erosion control devices are in place to prevent soil, fertilisers and mulch from entering the stormwater system.
• Wash your car on the lawn or at the car wash. Also keep your car serviced regularly to prevent oil dripping onto the road.
• Use less fertiliser and be careful not to over water your garden as this can lead to excess nutrient levels in our local waterways, particularly during periods of rain. Try planting local or native species when possible as they require less fertiliser and water.
• Minimize run-off of nutrient rich wastewater from recycled systems, such as those in the Rouse Hill area, by ensuring all wastewater is contained on-site.
Out and About:
• Place cigarette butts in a garbage bin or portable butt bin. Each cigarette butt contains over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic, especially to aquatic wildlife and a single cigarette butt can take up to 15 years to break down. Portable butt bins, made from recycled film canisters are available from Council or you can easily make your own.
• Put your litter in a public rubbish bin or take it home with you to put in the bin.
• If you see someone throwing litter from a car or other vehicle report them to the EPA's 24 hour toll free Litter Report Line on 1800 35 25 55. Be sure to note down the car’s registration details, as well as the time and location of the incident.
• Clean up after your dog. Visit designated dog parks that provide bags and bins especially for dog faeces. Take compostable bags made especially for picking up dog droppings with you on every outing with your pooch. These are available from pet supply stores. If you can’t find these, use freezer bags or newspaper to pick up your pet’s droppings in public.
• Don’t feed bread to ducks and other birds. Bread can not only swell in their stomachs and cause diseases such as potentially fatal Avian Botulism but bread is also high in Phosphorous which can cause algal blooms in our waterways. Buy special duck food or refrain from feeding wild birds.
Courtesy: Baulkham Hills Shire Council http://www.baulkhamhills.nsw.gov.au/Water-Quality.html
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