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Solar panels for electricity - ...the good, the ban and the ugly! |
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Written by Les Fawkes
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Tuesday, 03 May 2011 |
If you are installing a roof-mounted solar system on an existing approved house or building, planning approval is no longer required.
This
announcement comes as the Federal Government rebate on the installation
of the solar panels comes to an end. To make use of the Federal
Government rebate allpication - approval and installation all have to be
finalised prior to June 30th, 2011.
It takes about six weeks for approval to be granted so time is running out.
Both
the Federal Government and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council wish to
encourage the use of solar panels in an effort to reduce the
individual’s carbon footprint.
Council’s
Director of Development Services, Julie Edwards, said council was
committed to sustainability and out-dated red tape impediments needed to
be removed. “In addition, the solar industry deserves some certainty on council’s planning requirements,” Ms Edwards said.
She
continued, “The last thing we want is to create unnecessary costs or
planning hurdles for people who just want to produce clean, green energy
on a small scale.”
If,
however, you are planning to install any ground mounted solar panels, or
any other renewable energy proposal, whether it is urban or rural,
please email council’s solar enquiries staff for advice on whether
planning approval is required.
The Email address for such inquiries is solarenquiries@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
As
part of council’s commitment to sustainability the council authorises
the attendance of Councillor Russell Green at the 5th Annual Sustainable Design and Construction Conference to be held in Abu Dabi, United Arab Emirates from the 22nd to the 25th May 2011.
This trip will be funded from the Councillor’s Professional Development fund.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 30 May 2011 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
