The town of Uralla in New South Wales is celebrating after being chosen as the model for the Zero Net Energy Town (ZNET) project.
ZNET is an initiative to create Australia’s first town that produces all of its own energy requirements from renewables. An example of a town outside our own shores that does so is Feldheim in Germany, which built its own energy grid and is powered and heated entirely by local renewable sources, primarily wind and biogas.
“The potential value of this model for Australia is quite significant, particularly given how abundant its renewable energy resources are and how distributed its energy needs are,” says StarFish Initiatives, which is leading a consortium of agencies backing the project.
ZNET will now develop a business case exploring the financial and technical feasibility involved in switching to alternative and renewable energy sources in Uralla. Moreland Energy Foundation Limited will write the business case; which will be completed in June next year.
Uralla is a town of around 2,300 people situated in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, approximately 501 kilometres north of Sydney. Several foundries and other metal manufacturing businesses are the major energy users in the town.
“Uralla is delighted to be chosen as Australia’s first ZNET town. Council, business, the community and residents want to know how renewable and alternative energy can play a greater role in our local economy. This project will show us how,” said Uralla Shire Council Mayor, Mr Michael Pearce.
“The Business Case is a vital first step in moving Uralla to a lower carbon economy. Without it we can’t begin to understand what needs to be done in a practical sense to make this a reality.”
Other members of the ZNET Consortium are the Institute for Rural Futures at the University of New England, Office of Adam Marshall – Member for Northern Tablelands, the Regional Clean Energy Program of NSW Office of Environment & Heritage, NSW Trade & Investment and Regional Development Australia Northern Inland.
