Woy Woy could really become Venice of Australia

Woy Woy could truly become the "Venice of Australia" with streets under water according to global warming predictions, revealed by Gosford Council's environmental education officer Ms Trish Donnelly recently.

Ms Donnelly told a recent meeting of the Peninsula Older Women's Network that the sea level could rise as much as 50 centimetres over the next 30 years.

"Here on the Peninsula that will affect a lot of homes because a 50-centimetre sea rise is quite significant," she said.

Woy Woy was promoted as the "Venice of Australia" before the Peninsula had effective road access.

Ms Donnelly is the Environmental Education Officer, a position created three months ago, and is currently running Council's Energy Efficiency Program.

Her talk to the Older Women's Network at Woy Woy Leagues Club on Wednesday, November 7, was about global warming and how the average householder could reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Gosford Council is a member of the Cities for Climate Protection Program, a program that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Global warming was caused by the burning of fossil fuels and brings about climate change, Ms Donnelly said.

According to Trish, over the next 30 years the Central Coast could expect temperature rises of between one half and 2 degrees Celsius, summer rainfall increases of up to 20 per cent, winter rainfall decreases of up to 10 per cent, more frequent extreme storms and sea level rises of between five and 50 centimetres.

She went on to explain that this was one of the reasons why Council was concerned with the problem of greenhouse gas emissions and with helping the community to become involved by reducing its consumption of fossil fuels.

Council had undertaken an audit to measure its greenhouse gas emissions and was already implementing energy reduction measures throughout its operations.

The greenhouse reduction goal set by Council is for a 20 per cent reduction in the first year.

Some of the measures include buying Green Power electricity, a slightly more expensive electricity that is produced from renewable sources, such as wind farms and solar farms.

Light fittings in council buildings have also been targeted with three-tubed fittings being replaced by two, or even a single tube where possible.

Unused hot water systems at various depots have been turned off or now operate on timers as do the air conditioners.

Council's vehicle fleet has not been neglected either, and there are now eight vehicles running on LPG.

In the future solar panels may be used in buildings and street lighting and to heat public swimming pools.

Over $1 million a year is spent on street lighting and a review of current lighting will be undertaken to see where unnecessary lights can be eliminated.

Council is also investigating the collection of methane gas from landfill and sewage treatment works to produce electricity.

Trish said there were a number of ways householders could help to reduce greenhouse gases and save money at the same time, and handed out information packages from the Australian Greenhouse Office.

"We're trying to encourage people to think about their car use, to try to use public transport more, and to reduce their energy consumption in their homes," she said.

The average household emits eight tonnes of greenhouse gases per year from energy use in the home, transport and decay of wastes.

Simple measures like adequate insulation, energy rated appliances, and solar power could make a significant difference to power bills as well as having less impact on the environment, she said.

Washing clothes in cold water cut costs and saved wear and tear on clothes and a water-efficient shower head could reduce hot water consumption considerably.

Trish also suggested using public transport or walking whenever possible, having the car serviced regularly to ensure it is running efficiently, and planting and conserving trees and shrubs.

Many people would be surprised to learn that by turning appliances like TVs and videos off at the power point instead of the remote control householders could save up to $95 per year on their electricity bill.

Ms Donnelly closed by saying that energy saving benefited not just the environment, but individuals as well, as energy saved was money saved too in the long run.

If you have any questions for her, Trish will be at Woy Woy Environment Centre every second Thursday afternoon.

Paula Perry, November 14