Gas deal could be a winner

December 2014.

There was a 12-year Australian Carbon Credits Units (ACCU’s) crediting period under the ERF which expires on December 13, 2026.

Part of the new deal between LGI and the council is the transfer of these credits to the company in a revenue sharing agreement, which reduces the council’s capital expenditure to zero.

The council said while it has expertise in landfll waste management, gas extraction and handling was not a core business.

The deal with LGI means it will fund all costs including a major upgrade of the gas feld in the frst 12 months which will generate more gas, an upgrade of the fare and the installation of a gas engine to generate electricity when gas volumes make this viable under a revenue share agreement with council.

The report generated positive responses from councillors.

Cr Peter Johnstone said that just faring the gas was a beneft to the environment.

“Methane is a terrible global warming gas,” he said.

“It is 80 times more potent keeping in heat than carbon dioxide, and it lasts for 20 years in the environment.

“And at present what happens is we burn that off, which is great, turns it into carbon dioxide, which is 80 times better than what was there before.

“But what we’re proposing here is in the future, that actually, we won’t just burn it off, we’ll use that to make electricity, and that’s a great thing.”

Deputy mayor Cr Clancy said the report revealed the council was working in innovative ways in matters relating to climate and energy.

“I think the staff involved in this do need to be congratulated, and also the councillors who have signed off on on the various projects that have happened,” he said.

Cr Karen Toms was also pleased to see council continue to innovate with landfll gas management.

“We have been innovative for a long time and and this is just another step, but 10 years ago, we actually started a gas faring project, and it was originally registered as an eligible offsets project under the carbon farming incentive,” she said. Councils were unanimous in their support of the item.

$25,000 worth of more meals to be served for those in need days per week the centre is opened, by purely volunteer workers.

For the past 27 years the Ballina Hot Meal Centre has been feeding the unloved, the homeless and the vulnerable within the shire.

Over that time they have seen an increase in demand for their services with 300 meals prepared over the two

The NSW government has recognised the work of these superheroes and will be donating $25,000 to fund this much needed service.

Some of the volunteers have been with the Ballina Hot Meal Centre since its inception, according to general manager, Dawn Sword.

“All of whom provide a warm and welcoming environment where they feed those in need, not just with food but with kindness and hope,” she said.

“We are so grateful for the continual support and advocacy from our local member, Tamara Smith, who has helped us to secure this much needed funding from the Premier.

“Without this funding it would have been a struggle to keep our doors and kitchen open to continue servicing the community at a time when it is most needed.”

“We know people are doing it tough,” said Premier of NSW, Chris Minns.

“Now more than ever, organisations like the Ballina Hot Meal Centre are a lifeline in our regional communities.”

Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith is pleased at the government’s response.

“This funding not only keeps the centre open for another year but it lifts the morale of the volunteers who keep it going,” she said.