Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN) is checking out how different postcode localities are tracking towards the goal of zero community emissions for Noosa by 2026. This week we’re focussed on Boreen Point, Cooroibah, Cootharaba, Noosa North Shore, Ringtail Creek, and Tewantin, which make up postcode 4565, to see how they’re progressing with their electricity usage.
Tewantin is an anglicised version of the Gubbi Gubbi / Kabi Kabi name for the area, dauwadhum, meaning place of dead logs because of its original sawmilling port. Old Tewantin still reflects Noosa’s rich history, while the new town has a bustling main street and a thriving leisure port with bars and restaurants.
Just over one quarter of the people in Noosa Shire live in postcode 4565, and residents are leading the way with 46 percent of dwellings having installed solar PV, whilst 38 percent of businesses have invested in solar.
Total solar installed is around 14.2 MW which would fully cover about 12 soccer fields.
It’s estimated that less than 10 percent of the solar PV potential on all roof types is being utilised, so there’s plenty of space for more.
About 18,200 tonnes of CO2 per year has been avoided by the solar on roofs and other renewable generation, which would otherwise have been emitted from coal fired power stations.
The electricity from rooftop solar is shared around, with just under 50 percent of the electricity generated consumed on premises and the rest exported to the grid and used by other locals. Overall electricity consumption is going down in spite of the number of electricity customers going up. Over a 10 year period average residential daily usage is down almost a quarter.
Battery installations are a modest 12 to date.
Local resident Sandy Bolton, the independent MP for Noosa says: “ ’High fives’ to fellow Noosa townies on their percentages, and a congratulations and ’game on’ to our hinterland buds who are currently in the lead.“
Details can be found at zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au/4565
Next time we’ll look at postcode 4566, which takes in Noosaville.
