Rising to roofs challenge

Launching the 1000 Solar Roofs Challenge at the Boat Club are (from left) Marie Wilkinson, Tim Thornton, David Arthur, Deirdre Currie, Ted Sorensen, Roger Currie, Mick Kruger, Emma-Kate Currie and Keith Miller.

Alistair Brightman

IT'S ONE challenge the Fraser Coast would love to meet.

The Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council celebrated World Environment Day on the weekend by launching a community solar challenge for the Coast.

The challenge is for local sporting clubs, community groups, developers, small businesses, investors, home owners and local government to install 1000 new Grid-Connect solar power systems across the Coast by the end of June 2011.

The launch was held at Hervey Bay Boat Club with mayor Mick Kruger attending.

Co-ordinator Emma-Kate Currie said the challenge was an initiative driven by the support of local people and businesses.

“One thousand new solar power installations will reduce carbon emissions by a minimum of 4.5 thousand tonnes, save households and businesses hundreds per year, create new ‘green-collar jobs' and inject about $1 million into the economy.”