Solar school first CAB off the rank

A local school has gone solar thanks to the efforts of a community group dedicated to fighting climate change.

Bondi Beach Primary School celebrated the installation of a solar panel system on May 15, marking the culmination of a three-year effort by Climate Action Bondi (CAB), Origin Energy and Waverley Council.

The installation of the panels, along with an educational package distributed to students, was part of an effort to raise awareness of solar power’s benefits.

CAB member Nicollette Boaz said it was an important step in the fight against climate change: “We need a constant reminder of what can happen, and we feel the main place to start is with the kids.”

Boaz highlighted some of the problems that delayed the project – maintenance issues, the school’s heritage listing, and red tape from the Department of Education.

“They were almost obstructive, we got the feeling that it wasn’t really important to them,” she said.

CAB member and Waverley Greens Councillor Prue Cancian expressed similar concerns: “It was frustrating. We got funding in February 2007 but the bureaucracy moved fairly slow.”

Cancian said that despite the delays she was pleased with the result and there may be more solar projects to come in the Waverley Council district.

“We’ve wanted a solar Waverley for a long time,” she said, referring to a project the council is considering that would see solar panels installed on the Bondi Pavilion and Surf Club.

Other sponsors for the project were Mobile Muster, Hunter Hall and Neco.
For information on CAB visit www.climateactionbondi.com.

– By Joshua Cole