Townsville Greens The Greens Listen

The Greens candidates in Nth Qld are concerned that both major parties are promoting uranium mining as an answer to the State’s economic crisis.  Laurence Springborg has openly supported uranium mining, and the current ALP government already allows exploration for uranium.

If uranium mining gets the go-ahead from the next government, we could see mining in Mt Isa and at Ben Lomond outside of Townsville.

Glenys Schuntner and Townsville Enterprise can solve the problem of the North’s need for increased power for industry and a growth economy. They can avoid wasting valuable time in securing a clean green power supply for Townsville and stimulate jobs and our regional economy (TB,Thur March 5, 2009).  Talk to the Greens first for an economic and environmental solution and then take a solid and sustainable energy/jobs creation proposal to the State and Federal governments

Frank Reilly, the Greens candidate for Thuringowa, says, “the Greens EASI-Q plan would invest in a 250 megawatt solar power station that will stimulate jobs and the local economy. The power station will cost $2 billion to be funded from the state’s Z-Gen ill-conceived clean coal pilot project. Situated in North Queensland, this green infrastructure project creates 2,000 green collar jobs in the construction stage and sustains 200 green collar jobs in the long term.”

North Queensland Greens candidates, Jenny Stirling, Peter Bell and Anja Light, claim they found a great deal of common ground on their visit to the coal mining town of Collinsville last Friday.  The three federal election candidates set up an information stall in the main shopping centre to listen to local residents and explain more about the Greens policy to support coal mining communities in a transition to renewable energy industries.

“Overall we got the message that the people of Collinsville value their community more than short term profits and that the mining industry has fallen short in meeting their needs.’ said Anja Light, QLD Greens 2nd senate candidate.

Anja Light, Queensland Greens 2nd candidate, held a press briefing in Tokyo, Japan at the Minitry of Economy, Trade and Industry yesterday to call for a reduction of Japanese imports of greenhouse polluting coal to help save the Great Barrier Reef. Following the briefing a street performance with a banner reading "Coal Kills the Reef" and a lifesize Koala wearing diving goggles was carried outside the entrance. The group then visited the Japan Coal Energy Centre (JCOAL) where they met with officials from that organisation.

"The solutions to climate change can only be achieved through global cooperation. As Japan is Australia's largest importer of coal, there is an urgent need to support campaigns in Japan to reduce energy use – and reduce dependency on Queensland coal."

Today the Townsville Greens called on the Townsville City Council, and the building industry to rectify the mistakes of the past, and bring homes built in recent years up to the recommendations of the Energy Efficient House Design for Tropical Queensland report.

Townsville and Thuringowa are experiencing a building boom, but a lot homes are not being built with recognition that we live in tropical North Queensland. Some don't have insulation, some have dark coloured roofs, and some don't allow roof mounted solar hot water systems. [1][2][3]

“Having a white roof can reduce the temperature of the ceiling by up to 20 degrees over having a dark roof, and this can be the difference between home where the air conditioning can't keep up, and one which barely needs air conditioning.”

“The Council and the builders are aware of this but existing regulations neglect this essential part of the equation. It is the duty of care of the Council and builders to make sure their home buyers are fully informed, and not sold concrete ovens.” [4]

"There are many commonsense solutions that can deliver a triple bottom line on climate change;  more comfort in our homes, a lower electricity bill and reducing our greenhouse gas emmissions. Our Councils can help us all do the right thing.

" It is very important that we change our way now as well as fixing the decisions of the past. This means revisiting existing homes, installing insulation, repainting the roof if necessary, and removing covenants which prohibit solar water and power systems. Investors should also be encouraged to modify their properties in the best interests of their tenants and the environment. "

“We're sure many recent home buyers would feel betrayed if they knew they were sold a cut-price house, which will cost them dearly in the long run.”

The Council needs to hit the street and actively inform home owners in Townsville about these options, and engage them in improving the efficiency and liveability of their homes.

“Individuals should also investigate their options including roof insulation and painting their roofs white. Often their out-of-pocket costs will turn into savings quite quickly.”

[1]http://www.lgp.qld.gov.au/docs/building_codes/housing/energy_efficient_housing.pdf

[2]http://www.townsvilleforums.net/cms/node/156

[3]http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/heat-islands-and-roof-color.html

[4]http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/sushousing/regulations.asp
Media contact: Jenny Striling Mobile: 0417 012 311

It was predictable as the sun coming out after the rain, that the major parties would misrepresent the Green's position on coal mining.

What Bob Brown said was that Australia should develop a PLAN, in the next three years, to reduce and eventually phase out coal exports.

Quite obviously it would be impossible to stop coal mining in 3 years and a primary school child could work that out.

Similarly impossible, is Peter Beattie's claim that he can deliver clean coal technology to Qld within 5 years: in fact he is talking rubbish.

Not even the coal industry believes that.

Nuclear power is neither clean nor green. In fact, the production of enriched uranium fuel and the disposal of the waste from reactors both require significant energy inputs, resulting in carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions will increase as supplies of high grade uranium are depleted and lower-grade uranium ores must be used. The building of nuclear reactors and stockpiling of fuel causes significantly more CO2 emissions in the early stages, so we would actually increase emissions during the building stage.

Even if 20 nuclear reactors were built in Australia (which will take at least 20 years), at the rate at which our energy use is increasing, we would still require all the coal-fired plants currently in use, so only a minimal overall reduction in current rates of greenhouse emissions would occur.

Mining uranium leads to severe environmental damage in the local area, including to water supplies and soil. It is also associated with health problems for mine workers and their families. The Greens believe that Australia should not export uranium. http://www.stopuraniumexport.com/

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Queensland would not be facing energy shortages in the coming years if Local and State Government took a rational approach to minimising energy demands, especially during summer. Every summer many people switch on their air conditioners in order to escape the heat, but inefficient air conditioners, in uninsulated buildings add disproportionately to the energy demand.

Greens spokesperson Jenny Stirling said, "Reducing demand for energy is the logical first step when dealing with en energy shortage. It is also far safer, cleaner avenue than increasing supply, which in turn increases our carbon debt and the effects of global warming."