SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL
SPRING 2016
NE LO W OK !
Lady’s Fingers Orchid Caladenia sp.
In this issue Your Environment Levy working for you What’s on National Tree Day Success Rehabilitating Riverside Park Picture: Steven SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SPRING 2016 Hodosi1
MESSAGE FROM MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS Welcome to the spring edition of the Sustaining Liverpool newsletter. This edition brings a new look full of information about events and activities that are happening across the city to protect and manage our natural areas. One of the feature articles in this issue celebrates the success of the recent National Tree Day event at Lake Francis, West Hoxton. A big thank you to everyone who came out to plant a tree, it was great to see so many people participating in the biggest tree planting event of the year! With the days becoming noticeably longer and the temperature starting to warm up, spring is the perfect time of the year to step outdoors, connect with nature, spend some time in the garden and be active in the community. Right now is a great opportunity to observe an abundance of native orchids in flower. On this page are a few of the beautiful orchid species that can be found in Cumberland Plain Woodland. Why not take a walk and see if you can discover some of these hidden gems of Liverpool or join one of our upcoming events listed on page 10.
Wax Lip Orchid Glossodia major
Leopard Orchid Diuris maculata
RECEIVE YOUR NEWSLETTER VIA EMAIL
We hope you enjoy the new edition of Sustaining Liverpool and have the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the natural areas of Liverpool in full bloom.
Your edition of Sustaining Liverpool can now be sent to your email address. If you would like to receive it electronically rather than printed, email: JovanovicB@liverpool.nsw.gov.au
In this Issue
Trim Greenhood Pterostylis concinna
National Tree Day success
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Your Environment Levy working for you
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Red Azolla – friend or foe?
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Speaking 4 the Planet
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Indian Myna birds
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Rehabilitating Riverside Park
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What’s On
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Environmental News
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All correspondence to Locked Bag 7064 Liverpool BC NSW 1871
Solar Bonus Scheme ends soon
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Web www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au NRS 13 36 77 ABN 84 181 182 471
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SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SPRING 2016
Pictures: Steven Hodosi Printed on recycled paper.
Customer Service Centre Ground Floor, 33 Moore Street, Liverpool NSW 2170 Call Centre 1300 36 2170 Fax 9821 9333 Email lcc@liverpool.nsw.gov.au
Planet Ark celebrates 21 years of popular National Tree Day campaign! Thank you to everyone who came along to Lake Francis and planted a tree for National Tree Day on Sunday 31 July. It was a beautiful winter’s day with 148 people volunteering their time to help plant 3,000 locally native trees, shrubs, grasses and groundcovers near the lake. It was great to see so many people at West Hoxton participating in the biggest tree planting event of the year. These native plants will help to provide food and shelter for native animals and increase the visual amenity of the area. Research shows that for every hour Australians spend on outdoor leisure activities we spend 7 hours in front of a TV or computer. Time in nature has many medical and scientific benefits, in addition to the well know reductions in stress levels. Just 10 minutes spent outside in a natural environment can result in a significant reduction in blood pressure and an improvement in mental health and wellbeing. Tree planting volunteers had the opportunity to get up close with some of our native animals, learning about their habitats and behaviours through an interactive wildlife display from Get Wild Animal Experiences. In appreciation for their efforts, volunteers were treated to a BBQ lunch supplied by the Lions Club of Liverpool and face painting for kids from Council’s talented Children’s Services staff. Special thanks go to: • Council’s Bush Regeneration Team who prepared the site and provided planting assistance to the volunteers on the day; • Hoxton Park Rural Fire Brigade who brought their fire truck to water all the plants; • Warren Toyota Warwick Farm for providing branded merchandise; • All the volunteers who kindly gave up their time to help plant trees!
Schools Tree Day Schools Tree Day was celebrated on Friday 29 July 2016. Each year preschool, primary and high school students across Australia learn how to plant and care for the seedlings they grow. It can be the start of long term environmental programs by engaging the students in a fun hands on activity that can reinforce curriculum learnings and beautify their school grounds. Council encourages local schools to participate on the day by providing 50 locally native plants to each school that registers with Council. This year across the Liverpool LGA 16 schools and all 7 Council child care centres registered with Council to participate in this opportunity to do something good for their environment. SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SPRING 2016
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THE ENVIRONMENT RESTORATION PLAN Liverpool City Council is committed to the protection, conservation and effective management of our natural areas. Liverpool forms part of both the Georges River and Hawkesbury-Nepean catchments and has a unique natural environment that includes a number of endangered ecological communities, including the unique Cumberland Plain Woodland.
programs including on-ground environmental restoration projects, environmental education and support for community environmental activities.
Council’s environment levy program, the Environment Restoration Plan (ERP), was approved in 2007. The ERP is focused on restoring Liverpool’s natural environment by providing a framework for successful environmental
A snapshot of some of the major achievements of the Environment Restoration Plan (July 2007 – July 2016):
1,386,000M² BUSHLAND RESTORED
13.4KM LENGTH OF CREEKLINE RESTORED
For more information visit www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/environment/councilsenvironmental-programs/environment-restoration-plan2
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535,000
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
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ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOPS
TREES PLANTED
AVERAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS INVOLVED EACH YEAR
PARTICIPANTS 290 COMMUNITY 50 REGULAR VOLUNTEERS
9,170M³
AMOUNT OF GREEN WASTE REMOVED
7,550M³ AMOUNT OF LITTER REMOVED
ENVIRONMENT VOLUNTEERING Council is actively involving our community in environmental and sustainability programs. The Environment Volunteer Program (EVP) was established in 2003 for the Liverpool community. It is a great way for everyone to become involved in bush regeneration and citizen science activities. The central aims of the EVP are to facilitate community awareness of environmental issues and to provide a safe and friendly environment for volunteer activities. We are always seeking people who have a passion for contributing to their local environment to get involved in the EVP. You don’t need to be an expert on the environment or have any specific knowledge – enthusiasm and time are all you need to get involved. Details of meeting times and locations of our 10 groups can be found in the activities calendar. The Clinches Pond Environment Group has been maintaining works completed by a Green Reserve team since 2005, concentrating their efforts in the bushland near the infamous pond. A variety of wildlife is attracted to this park and the group regularly spot water dragons, black swans, and other species of birds.
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SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SPRING 2016
The volunteer team at Clinches Pond helping their local environment.
BUSH REGENERATION TEAM Council’s environment levy, the Environment Restoration Plan (ERP), completes a number of on-ground projects each year to improve the natural environment of Liverpool. The objective of these works is to preserve and conserve our bushland and creeks through bush regeneration and revegetation activities. Council has employed a team of qualified bush regenerators since 2008 to maintain all of the on-ground projects completed under the ERP. Over the last nine years our enthusiastic bush regeneration team have spent 19,000 hours maintaining Liverpool’s natural environment and they have planted over 17,000 locally native plants. They are responsible for over 100 sites across an area of 980,000m² where bush regeneration works have been completed by contractors, by volunteers at community tree planting days, and assist volunteers at their Environment Group sites.
Matt Loughnan, Dan Turnbull and Steven Sargeant
Our dedicated team of bush regenerators work tirelessly to ensure that the sites are maintained in the best condition until they are able to function once again as natural ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENT VOLUNTEER SUPERVISOR Liverpool Council’s Environment Volunteer Supervisor, Natalie Edmonds, supervises Council’s Environment Volunteer Groups. Natalie comes from a background in Social Ecology and Wildlife Management, having focused her career on working with people to create environmental change through conservation and land management. “My role as an Environment Volunteer Supervisor at Liverpool Council, allows me to further explore my passion for the natural environment. Liverpool’s environment volunteer program is unique, environmentally and culturally, offering great opportunities to connect with people and nature whilst
taking positive steps to restore, promote, protect and enhance our natural areas.” You can meet with Natalie at one of the ten Environment Volunteer group sites, where volunteer tasks include weed management and identification, native plant restoration, habitat creation, manual tasks such as mulching and scientific application tasks such as water quality testing and monitoring the volunteer conservation projects. The volunteer work provides for a range of interests and involvement is only limited by creativity and enthusiasm. If you would like to find out more about the Environment Volunteer Groups, please contact Council on 1300 36 2170. Alternatively you can turn up to one of the scheduled environment group activity days (see page 10 for meeting times and locations) and register on the day.
SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SPRING 2016
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RED AZOLLA – FRIEND OR FOE? Has a wetland or lake near you turned red? What appears to be algae is actually a small, native, floating fern called Azolla. During bloom periods Azolla grows in dense patches and looks like a green or rusty red carpet. Blooms occur in response to high nutrients like excess fertiliser run off, phosphate rich detergents, animal faeces, and too much organic matter entering the water. These excess nutrients combine with warm weather and poor water movement to provide the perfect combination for a bloom. It may appear unsightly, Azolla can provid a number of environmental benefits to your local waterway such as: • A food source for birds, fish and other aquatic life that live in the waterway • It discourages the formation of algal blooms (like blue green algae) by restricting the penetration of sunlight into the water. • It absorbs and processes excess nutrients thereby helping water quality • It provides mosquito control benefits by preventing access to the water during peak breeding periods • Provides habitat for insects and aquatic macroinvertebrates that also assist with mosquito control.
• • • • •
You can help to minimise the impact of nutrients on our waterways by: Picking up after your pet and disposing of the waste in a bin Washing your car on the grass Not feeding local wildlife – larger populations of waterbirds increases nutrients. Food such as bread also impact water quality Limit your use of fertiliser or apply a slow release fertiliser and never apply before rain Never place soil, mulch, compost or other wastes in a position where it can be washed into a drain.
For further information, please contact Council’s Bushland and Weed Management Officer on (02) 9821 9504.
SPEAKING 4 THE PLANET Speaking 4 the Planet (S4P) is a high school public speaking and drama competition that recognises and celebrates World Environment Day. This is the second year that Liverpool Council has supported and assisted in facilitating an S4P event in Liverpool with Phil Smith from 4Sustainability Education Consultancy. The event, opened by Mayor Ned Mannoun, was held at Liverpool Boys High School on 10 June 2016.
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Impromptu Speech – Marilyn Tek, Liverpool Girls High School; Impromptu Eco-Drama – Liverpool Girls High School (Natasha Tupu, Jennifer Helou, Mari Alkhamesi, Kayla Woolfe, Milica Lazarevic)
The winners were awarded opportunities to perform at numerous public speaking opportunities including a Council meeting, a Toastmasters meeting, the Youth Eco Summit at Sydney Olympic Park and many more.
Local high school students were invited to participate by preparing speeches and performances related to this years World Environment Day theme Go Wild for Life. In Liverpool the S4P competition focused on the threats to local and global wildlife with the key message of protecting our local flora, fauna and vegetation communities. Six high schools participated this year in three categories. Winners of this year’s event were: •
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Prepared Speech – Sidrah Asad Mahboob, Malek Fahd Islamic School Hoxton Park; SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SPRING 2016
Liverpool Boys High School Principal, Mike Saxon & Sidrah Asad Mahboob
THE FLYING CANE TOAD Indian Myna (Acridotheres tristis) Common myna’s, also known as the Indian myna, are a regular sight in the urban areas of Liverpool and surrounds. This feral bird, also referred to as the flying cane toad, was introduced to Australia in the late 1880’s from their natural range in India, Middle East and Asia to combat insects in cane fields and market gardens. Quickly adapting to the Australian climate, this species has been able to establish large populations up and down the east coast.
VADER
ED IN TRODUC
IN
yna Indian M
Often confused with the Australian native Noisy miner, the Indian myna prefers to establish themselves around humans feeding on almost anything including dog food, garbage, scraps, other birds eggs and hatchlings. They prefer areas that are heavily disturbed, with areas cleared of trees their ideal habitat. The Noisy miner in comparison prefers to live on the interface between established forest areas and suburbia, congregating in large, territorial groups and are successful in driving other birds away.
A
USTRALIA Noisy Mine N NATIVE r
Management of the Indian Myna The management of Indian myna’s still hasn’t reached common ground, with many agencies and organisations not convinced of the effectiveness of trapping and culling programs. The RSPCA’s position is that based on current knowledge about the impact and preferred habitat of Indian mynas, trapping and killing should not be encouraged but efforts may be better focused enhancing local bird diversity in urban areas. Retaining and restoring bushland is a key management tool to controlling this species. Planting local trees and shrubs make the local environment less inviting to Indian myna’s and encourage native species return. Research is vital to provide a greater understanding of the impact this species has on our environment, its lifecycle and behaviour to ensure that any future control programs are cost effective and successful and is undertaken across a wide region to achieve better environmental outcomes.
How you can help Council would like to hear your experience of Indian Myna’s across the local government area and will be liaising with other state agencies, networks and Council’s to address invasive pest issues that impact on our environment at a local and regional level.
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BEFORE – a wall of lantana
AFTER – lantana removed
REHABILITATING RIVERSIDE PARK CHIPPING NORTON Riverside Park is a 6.5 hectare reserve of endangered Cumberland Riverflat Forest located north of the baseball fields on Riverside Road, Chipping Norton. Bounded to the west and north by industrial development, the south by the baseball fields and to the east by the Georges River the reserve is former agricultural land acquired by Council following the 1968 floods. For the past two years the Georges River Combined Councils Committee (GRCCC) Riverkeeper programme, with the assistance of the programme’s Aboriginal Riverkeeper Team have been working to remove the lantana and rehabilitate the bushland. The Aboriginal Riverkeeper Team is a Federal Government funded project designed to train young Aboriginal people in contemporary bush regeneration techniques while learning from Aboriginal Elders and Knowledge Holders about Traditional Ecological Knowledge. For decades lantana has dominated the midstory, restricting the bushland’s ability to naturally regenerate. The dense lantana infestation has become home to a large population of Bellbirds (the Bell Miner - Manorina melanophrys) which, although they sound pretty, are slowly killing the eucalypt canopy through a process known as Bell Miner Associated Dieback (BMAD). The dieback associated with over abundant psyllid insects and Bellbirds in coastal forests is listed as an environmental key threatening process under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act. Bellbirds live in well organised colonies and chase out 8
SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SPRING 2016
any birds they see as a threat to either their nests or food sources. The sugary shelter, or lerp, of the larval stage of psyllids is a major food source for them. Under normal environmental conditions, psyllid populations remain at low to moderate levels and a number of small birds such as pardalotes and thornbills feed on them. Where over abundant populations of Bellbirds drive out other birds the psyllid numbers soar and lead to insect induced tree stress and the emergence of dieback. The dense lantana infestation provides nesting and refuge habitat for the Bellbirds to dominate the area and through removal of the lantana the Bellbird numbers will be slowly reduced allowing the bush to recover. The GRCCC’s Aboriginal Riverkeeper Team have focused efforts on the removal and control of lantana on a strategic scale. While removing the lantana to reduce Bellbird nesting habitat smaller islands of lantana have been retained to offer habitat for smaller bird species such as wrens, finches and honeyeaters as they recolonise the site. Over time, as the bush regenerates and provides suitable small bird habitat, the islands of lantana will be removed. In order to effectively manage the site and assess the onsite issues a tritter machine was bought in to cut pathways through the lantana, the pathways were cut in a grid pattern which allowed the worksite to be divided up in to manageable work zones. A great surprise was to find an ephemeral wetland in very good condition in the middle of the lantana. The periodic inundation of the wetland created unfavourable
Aboriginal Riverkeeper Team with Aboriginal Knowledge Holder, Dean Kelly from National Parks
Picture: Larissa Cooper
conditions for the lantana which allowed some wetland species such as Nardoo (Marsilea drummondii) and River Buttercup (Ranunculus inundates) to thrive, both these species are uncommon in the urban areas of the Georges River catchment. While the wetland was a surprise discovery its presence reinforced the Cumberland Riverflat Forest’s ecosystem function as a living wetland filtering excess nutrients from the environment. The forests wetland function was again highlighted during the June 2016 floods with half a metre of water across the site. The bushland of Riverside Park has shown incredible native resilience with natural regeneration of key Riverflat species such as Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Green Wattle (Acacia decurrens) and assorted Paperbark (Melaleuca spp.) species.
The ephemeral wetland
For the Aboriginal Riverkeeper Team trainees Riverside Park provides an exciting and stimulating classroom, whether it be learning natural resources management, contemporary bush regeneration technique or Aboriginal Traditional Ecological Knowledge. The team are currently completing their Certificate 2 in Conservation Land Management through TAFE with classes often conducted at Riverside Park rather than in a brick and mortar building. What better way is there to learn about the environment? Riverside Park is a wonderful natural resource for the community. This weekend go for a walk through the reserve and observe the bushland recovery, the expanding bird populations or just enjoy the beauty of the bush.
Eucalyptus tereticornis affected by Bell Miner associated dieback (BMAD)
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WHAT’S ON Collimore Park Environment Group
Amalfi Park Environment Group
Clinches Pond Environment Group
Weaving Garden Environment Group
Remount Park Environment Group
Chauvel Park Environment Group
Leacocks Lane Environment Group
Light Horse Park Environment Group
Meet in the Collimore Park car park on Collimore Avenue, Liverpool Saturday 8am-11am: 1 October 5 November
Meet in Remount Park at the end of Provost Mews, Holsworthy Sunday 8am-11am: 9 October 13 November
Voyager Point Environment Group Meet in the car park at Voyager Park on Orlando Crescent, Voyager Point
Sunday 9.30am11.30am: 30 October 27 November
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Join our enthusiastic volunteers who beautify their local parks by removing weeds and litter and planting native plants. Meet like-minded people, increase your knowledge of the environment and create habitat for local wildlife. No experience is necessary. All equipment is supplied.
Meet near the Brickmakers Creek bridge crossing at Reilly Street, Lurnea Sunday 9am-11am: 2 October 6 November
Meet at the car park on Epsom Road, near the roundabout on Alfred Road, Chipping Norton
Saturday 8am-11am: 15 October 19 November
Streamwatch
Come along to investigate the water quality of Cabramatta Creek. Meet in the Ireland Park car park on Memorial Avenue, Liverpool
Sunday 12pm-1pm: 30 October 27 November
SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SPRING 2016
Meet at the playground on Swain Street, Moorebank Saturday 9am-11am: 8 October 12 November
Meet at the play equipment at the bottom of Leacocks Lane, Casula Sunday 10am-12pm: 16 October 20 November
Elouera Bushland Reserve Environment Group
Meet in the Ireland Park car park, Memorial Avenue, Liverpool
Sunday 1pm-3pm: 30 October 27 November
Meet at the Casula railway station car park at the end of Casula Road, Casula Saturday 12pm-2pm: 8 October 12 November
Meet in the Light Horse Park car park, Riverpark Drive, Liverpool Saturday 9am-11am: 29 October 26 November
OTHER EVENTS SPRING EXPO
Monday 3 October, 2pm-9pm Greenway Park, Carnes Hill Spring Expo is a celebration of the coming warmer months and all they have to offer. Come celebrate the seasonal change with us and enjoy free gardening and sustainability workshops, kids crafts, cooking demonstrations showcasing amazing spring produce, lots of pet friendly fun, live entertainment, rides and a free cinema under the stars from 6:45pm.
COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING Bill Anderson Park Saturday 8 October, 9am-11.30am Meet in the park on Elizabeth Drive, Kemps Creek. There will be a free BBQ lunch for all participants after the tree planting.
NATIONAL WATER WEEK 16-22 October 2016
Water is something that we use every single day for many parts of our lives. This is an opportunity to remind ourselves and teach others that water must be used wisely if there is to be enough to meet the needs of our future generations. Get involved in the Streamwatch programs to learn more about your local aquatic ecosystem australianmuseum.net.au/streamwatch
AUSSIE BACKYARD BIRD COUNT 17-23 October 2016
BirdlIfe Australis is asking everyone to keep an eye out for birds in their backyard or local area, and to log them using a smartphone app throughout this week. For more information visit aussiebirdcount.org.au
NATIONAL RECYCLING WEEK
Free Sustainability BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS Saturday 8 October, 8.30-11.30am
7-13 November 2016
Visit planetark.org/campaigns/nrw.cfm for more details
AUSTRALIAN POLLINATOR WEEK 20-27 November 2016
This is a designated week in spring when the community can come together to raise awareness of our important and unique insect pollinators and support their needs. For more information visit beesbusiness.com.au/ pollweekmain.html
ENVIRONMENT VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EVENT
Come and learn the basics of bird watching, ways to make your garden bird friendly, and what species of birds can be found in your local area. There will be a bird survey so bring a pair of binoculars if you have them. Places are limited. To book your place call Council on 1300 36 2170.
FROG WALK AND TALK
Friday 4 November, 6.30-8.30pm
13 December 2016
Annual event to thank and recognise the work of volunteers who are restoring the natural environment of Liverpool through Councils Environment Volunteer Program. Regular volunteers will receive an invitation to this event in the mail. If we haven’t seen you in a while there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved in our activities.
Did you know the health of frogs is closely linked to the health of the environment? Come along to this informative workshop where you will investigate which frogs inhabit Liverpool. You will also get tips on how to make your garden frog friendly. Places are limited. To book your place call Council on 1300 36 2170. SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SPRING 2016
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ENVIRONMENTAL
NEWS
Environmental Weeds of Sydney This app will help you identify some of the common environmental weeds found in the Sydney region. Includes more than fifty weed species. Colour photographs and detailed identification notes help you identify a plant. Native look-a-likes likely to be found in the region are also included. Recommended control methods are described. Available on iTunes App Store http://apple.co/1KaMHHu and Google Play http://bit.ly/1TbtckA
Frogs Field Guide An app designed by the Australian Museum enabling users to discover the wonderful and fascinating world of Australian frogs. This app provides access to comprehensive information about frogs including detailed photographs, distribution maps, frog calls and fact sheets. Users will be able to log their own frog sightings. http://australianmuseum.net.au/blogpost/ museullaneous/introducing-our-frogs-field-guide
Hollows as Homes Who is peeping out of your hollow or nest box? This is a new national program to register tree hollows and the wildlife using them. Help us give our wildlife a helping hand – hollows are an important but limited resource for wildlife in urban and agricultural areas. Report any hollows and nest boxes near you and submit your sightings of animals to the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney at www.hollowsashomes.com
SOLAR BONUS SCHEME ENDS SOON
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (or Solar Panels) are a great example of renewable energy technologies that can be used by your home to capture sunlight, convert it into energy to power our homes or export electricity back into the electricity grid. In NSW over 348,000 homes have installed solar PV systems. In NSW, solar PV systems have been installed with two types of metering systems. The first is a net meter – where your home uses electricity produced by the panels at the time it is generated and any excess is fed back into the electricity grid. The second type is a gross meter – where all of the electricity that you generate is exported to the grid and the NSW Government has provided payment in the form of a feed-in tariff (Solar Bonus Scheme). If you have a gross metering system, the arrangements under the Solar Bonus Scheme are set to end on 31 December 2016.
What to do before the Solar Bonus Scheme ends this year 1. Identify the type of meter you currently have You should check your electricity bill or talk to your electricity retailer about current metering arrangements.
2. Decide on the best option for you Depending on the type of meter you have, you may choose to keep your existing meter or decide to change your meter. You may also want to consider new technologies that are available. 3. Identify the most cost effective retail offer for you Now is a good time for you to investigate your metering and other product options to make sure you get the most out of your renewable energy system when the Scheme ends, and to look around to see what competing retailers have to offer. For more information to assist you in deciding what to do when the Solar Bonus Scheme attends, refer to: • Your energy retailer • NSW Department of Resources and Energy www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/energyconsumers/solar/solar-bonus-scheme • Alternative Technology Association http://community.ata.org.au/news/what-to-dowhen-your-solar-feed-in-tariff-expires