CDC seeks reduction in carbon

Key Carterton District Council [CDC] buildings could soon be using solar power as the council increases efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

First cabs off the rank for solar could include the Carterton Events Centre and the CDC’s own offices.

The council’s policy and projects committee yesterday [4 October] heard that tenders will be sought later this week as part of the procurement stage of CDC’s new climate-change mitigation project.

A report to the committee from CDC infrastructure services manager Johannes Ferreira said the council is looking to install solar systems in up to four council-controlled premises.

“Conservative estimates suggest that we could potentially reduce our energy bill for the Events Centre [and all connected buildings] by $37,000 per annum. That is a significant saving on our operating cost,” he said.

In order of priority, premises tipped for the solar upgrade are the CDC Events Centre and council offices in central Carterton, the water treatment plant in Frederick St, the wastewater treatment plant in Dalefield Rd [including the dog pound], and wastewater treatment plant reservoirs under construction at Gallons Rd.

The project will be fully paid for with central government ‘Better-off’ funding of about $400,000.

“Through this project, we are seeking to reduce energy consumption on council-operated facilities,” Ferreira said.

He said it is unlikely work on all four projects can be completed with the current funding but hopes good information about savings and other benefits can be analysed over time. “Recent estimates suggest that we could repay investments within six years.”

– NZLDR
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air