Project Acquittal Report

(submitted to LCD office on 24 May 2010)

 I write to report that HOPE has completed its Low Carbon Diet (LCD) project activities (as per attached HOPE’s LCD Project Year Planner #32); and that we have fully expended the $10,000 grant monies (refer to attached budget document). We now ask that your office forwards the final payment of $2,500 as per the attached invoice.

HOPE decided to apply for LCD funding because we saw the program as an extension of our own efforts “to raise awareness of, and encourage active participation in, waste minimisation and the conservation of energy and resources”.

Upon submission of our application, a member of the LCD office remarked that our project appeared to be fairly ambitious. We acknowledged that comment, but felt confident in our own abilities to undertake the 50 or so information displays; and that Ms. Samantha Morris, the consultant engaged to deliver the information sessions and workshops, had a proven track record at facilitating similar events. We had also brokered a partnership with Toowoomba Regional Council who assisted with additional promotion and free access to library space for displays, and venues for the information sessions and workshops. In hindsight, our target to attract 2,500 households to the program was “ambitious”.

What we hadn’t counted on was the lack of resourcing from the LCD office, an apparent disinterest by the public in the LCD program; and more importantly, the over-whelming competition from the ClimateSmart Home Service program. I believe that $1.5m was allocated to the LCD program and $25m to the Home Service program (see OCC Weather report, Nov-Dec 2009).

I recall asking for 10,000 copies of the Low Carbon Tips booklet for general distribution in the Toowoomba area, and was told that “the LCD office only printed 2,500 for the entire State”. We were left with no option but to modify our project to include the development and printing of our own booklet, Low Carbon Living Starts at Home. To date, we have printed and distributed some 11,500 copies of the booklet throughout the region. A copy of this booklet is attached for your reference.

As stated earlier, the public showed no interest in the Low Carbon Diet program name; or the Eco Team aspect of the program. Despite good media coverage across the region and a direct postal mail-out to some 850 community organisations, we had 3, 2 and 3 attendees respectively at the Toowoomba, Highfields and Crow’s Nest information sessions; and only one attendee at the Toowoomba workshop. Because of the poor attendances at these events, it was decided to cancel the remainder of the information sessions and workshops; and to replace these events with additional information displays at selected events including Sustainable House Day (13 Sept), Going Solar seminars (12 in all) and the Toowoomba Home & Lifestyle Expo (16-18 Oct).

All variations to the project were approved by the LCD office.

I believe that HOPE made a genuine effort to promote the Low Carbon Diet program to its members, supporters and the general public. Unfortunately, we received no indication of registrations from anyone. Instead, most people stated that they were more interested in/attracted to the CS Home Service. In fact, figures provided by LGIS indicated that as at 29 March 2010, some 5,320 households in the Toowoomba Regional Council postcode range have signed up for the service.

In closing, I thank the LCD office for the opportunity to assist in helping Queenslanders reduce their household energy consumption.

I also thank the following sponsors and supporters who contributed to the project:

• Toowoomba Regional Council who donated $500; allowed us to setup information displays in all libraries within their jurisdiction; and for providing access to several community halls.
• Ergon Energy who donated $250
• Fieldforce who donated 100 CFLs
• BP Australia who gave a $50 fuel voucher
• Local State and Federal Members of Parliament who assisted with photocopying
• Grand Central, K-Mart and Clifford Gardens shopping centres who provided free community space for information displays
• Guest speakers – Rev. Gary Harch from St. James Anglican Parish, Toowoomba; Nigel Kimball – Yarramine Environmental; Andrew Nicholson – HOPE’s Climate Educator; and Louise Mayne – Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC)
• And the many volunteers who helped with various admin, promotional and display activity – especially Miriam Sharp, Joyclyn Orme and Joy van der Wyk.

Frank Ondrus, President – HOPE Inc.

Milestones

06.03.09     Launch of HOPE's LCD Project

HOPE’s principal aim has always been “to raise awareness of, and encourage active participation in, waste minimisation and the conservation of energy and resources”. In 2008 the Queensland State Government announced its Low Carbon Diet initiative which aims to encourage residents to reduce their household energy consumption by 25% or more. HOPE could see the parallel between the two aims and so applied for funding to promote the Low Carbon Diet program in the Toowoomba Regional Council area. Funding was granted for activities to be undertaken between April 2009 and March 2010. The project consists of conducting some 40 information displays, 5 workshops and a series of public meetings. Information and milestones relating to the project are detailed below.

Sustainable House Day a Great Success – by Nigel Kimball
A record 170 homes around Australia opened their doors to the public for this year’s Sustainable House Day held Sunday, 13 September. This year, HOPE helped involve two local premises to participate in the day, St. James Anglican Church which showcased their solar energy usage and the Krenske’s family who showcased their sustainable home gardening and permaculture techniques. Although visitor numbers were not as high as hoped (just under 50 through both premises), a number of visitors travelled from Brisbane to visit Krenske garden. A big thank you to Archdeacon Gary Harch and the parish volunteers who helped on the day, as well as Hugh and Kaye Krenske for their participation. Plans are afoot for HOPE’s involvement in next year’s Sustainable House Day, which will be held on Sunday 12th September 2010.

 04.10.09

Solar Neighbourhood is Launching in Toowoomba – by Nigel Kimball
HOPE is very pleased to announce that after several months of preparation we can officially state that an exciting new Solar Neighbourhood project for Toowoomba commenced in early October. The project will commence with a three-month pilot exercise involving a series of Going Solar seminars, the first of which was held on Thursday 8 October at the Groom Park Hall, Neil Street, Toowoomba.
Homeowners interested in going solar are invited to attend these FREE seminars to find out what is involved in purchasing a solar system and how, through the project, they can do so at a greatly discounted rate thanks to the power of bulk purchasing and a number of Government incentives available that are designed to make solar systems more accessible to the public.
Local companies, Yarramine Environmental, who will manage the project and Excel Solar who will source and provide installations are also very excited by the commencement of the pilot.
Seats at each of the seminars (next one is on 29 October) are limited and to reserve your seat you need to register your attendance with Nigel Kimball from Yarramine Environmental on (07) 4638 2442. Light refreshments will be available and attendees will be able view a scale model of a solar system.

16-18.10.09

Toowoomba Home & Lifestyle Expo

HOPE was also fortunate enough to participate at the Toowoomba Spring Home & Lifestyle Expo, 16-18 October. We organised a Speakers Program on sustainable homes and gardens, as well as a large information display. Many thanks to Australian Events for allowing us the opportunity to attend this event; to all the speakers who gave freely of their time; to the government agencies; businesses and NGOs who donated pallet loads of literature; and finally, to HOPE members who helped staff our display.  

What is the Low Carbon Diet?

The Low Carbon Diet is a State Government program that provides information and resources to help Queenslanders to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the global climate change solution. With the Low Carbon Diet, you'll learn how to reduce your annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by at least 2000 kg a year. It is a 30-day program divided into three sections to make it easy for everyone to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions:

1. Reduce your household greenhouse gas emissions by making simple changes to your everyday actions;

2. Look at the energy efficiency of your household appliances - taking action will have a long-term impact and save you money;

3. Finally, and most importantly, encourage and help others to also live climate smart. Learn how to share the knowledge you have learned about climate change and help others become part of the solution.

Grab yourself a Home EnergyWise Kit. It is orange and square, so its easy to find at our displays.

Or order one from the website http://www.dme.qld.gov.au/Energy/home_energywise_kit_1.cfm .

For those of you who have already done so, please don’t forget to fill out the feedback card in the back and return it. This will help us and the Government establish how much energy is being saved!

Low Carbon Diet (LCD) Project Launch 06/03/09

We have received a letter from Hon Andrew McNamara MP, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, advising us of our "success in obtaining $10,000 funding for our Low Carbon Diet project". The Low Carbon Diet grant provides support to run a series of workshops, forums and information displays which will be focused on helping people reduce their carbon footprint by making energy savings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project was launched this morning (Friday 6 March) at Toowoomba City Hall, Ruthven St. Hon Kerry Shine MP, Member for Toowoomba North and Cr. Peter Taylor, Mayor Toowoomba Regional Council will be special guests at the launch.

HOPE's LCD display at the Warwick Peace Festival 02/05/09

Project Year Planner

Articles:

Low Carbon Living Starts at HomeIntroduction to Low Carbon Diet Climate Smart Home Service ClimateSmart Living
Helpful Hints - Water by Melissa Glen
Helpful Hints - Transport by Melissa Glen
Helpful Hints - Food by Melissa Glen Solar Power at St James Community Hall - July 2009 Toowoomba City Council - Carbon Footprint for the 2007/2008 Financial Year (Item 14) by Lynette Wallis Cr Bill Cahill on the Low Carbon Diet 2009 program
TRC_Presentation by Cr Bill Cahill for Low Carbon Diet 2009 program

Media Releases, etc

HOPE encourages a low carbon diet

HOPE partners Tmba WED celebrations

Support Earth Hour 2009 Saturday 28 March

HOPE receives $10000 for low carbon diet

ClimateSmart Queensland   Queensland Conservation   Officeworks   Fieldforce   Ergon Energy

Toowoomba Regional Council University of Southern Queensland Hon Kerry Shine, Member for Toowoomba North Sustainable Housing (Qld Dept. of Public Works) Office of Clean Energy (Qld Dept of Mines & Energy)