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Media Release

Dr Mike Kelly AM MP Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support

Office of the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP

Member for Eden-Monaro, Shop 16, City Link Plaza, Morisset Street, Queanbeyan NSW 2620

Embargoed until 12midday Wednesday 5 November 2008

Rudd Labor Government to fund the first step towards a solar farm in Eden-Monaro

The Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, has announced that the Federal Government will fund a scoping study up to $100,000 for a solar farm in the Bega Valley area.

Dr Kelly, on behalf of the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong and Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett, will formally announce the funding in a presentation on the Rudd Labor Governments Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme at a climate change forum in Bega tonight (Wednesday 5 November).

Dr Kelly said I am proud to be able to announce that the Rudd Labor Government has acted on another election promise and will fund a feasibility study into a solar farm in Eden-Monaro. I hope will be the first step in getting a solar farm on the South Coast.

The funding is through the Federal Government’s Green Precincts Fund which supports local communities to better manage their water and energy use for current and future generations.

Dr Kelly said; “Before the election I made a commitment to the people of Eden-Monaro that the Rudd Labor Government would fund a feasibility study with the aim of establishing a 1-2 megawatt solar farm on the South Coast.

“A solar farm on the South Coast could provide enough energy to power 1,000 homes, and provide a working example of green energy working for a regional community.

“Clean Energy for Eternity has been working with me to make this project happen and it is great news that the Rudd Labor Government is putting $100,000 towards investigating the feasibility of a solar farm in Bega Valley.

“This demonstrates that fighting climate change is also an opportunity for our community, businesses, farmers and schools to make the transition to a lower carbon society.

“Should the project go ahead, the Rudd Labor Government will consider up to an additional $1 million in matching funds to support the construction of the solar farm.

“Solar power is one of the cleanest forms of energy, capable of significantly reducing greenhouse pollution and providing low-cost renewable energy to power our homes and heat our water.

“This is one of a number of projects in Eden-Monaro that is helping us tackle climate change at a local and global level.

“I will continue to work hard with a number of community projects to reduce carbon pollution and increase the renewable energy use in Eden-Monaro”, said Dr Kelly.

Dr Kelly thanked the Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett and the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, for their support for the project.

Media contact: Evan Langdon 0447 694 201 or evan.langdon@aph.gov.au