The Minister for the North Coast, Don Page, has congratulated 1250 North Coast and Northern Rivers businesses for their energy-saving and sustainability efforts, at a ceremony at Ballina Beach Resort today.

Mr Page said participation in the NSW Government’s five energy efficiency programs for businesses had allowed organisations in the region – including aged care and community services, dairy farmers, cafes, councils and newsagencies – to save a collective $810,000 a year on power bills, improving both the environment and their bottom lines.

Administered by the Office of Environment and Heritage, the business efficiency programs are: Sustainability Advantage; Energy Saver; NABERS; Energy Efficiency for Small Business; and Energy Efficiency Training.

“I am always inspired by what businesspeople on the North Coast achieve," Mr Page said.

“Small businesses are improving their environmental performance and saving money through the Energy Efficiency for Small Business program, in which participants receive expert energy assessments to identify savings, up to $5000 in matched funding, and four hours of technical support to get the work done.

“TAFE North Coast Institute developed packages for energy efficiency trainers in its manufacturing and building sectors through the Energy Efficiency Training program, while Byron Region Community College developed a training kit for energy efficiency trainers in the retail industry.

"St Andrew’s Village, an aged care facility in Ballina, cut its power usage by 10 per cent and carbon pollution by 75 tonnes a year by following the advice of an energy audit provided through the Energy Saver program.

“Brookfarm at Ballina is using fewer raw materials at its Byron Bay site, is saving costs by using second-hand plastic pallets for export, and its new, purpose-built factory is three times more energy efficient than their previous building.”

Mr Page told the audience at the ceremony that 16,500 organisations across the State have taken advantage of the NSW Government energy efficiency programs to save a collective $68.5 million a year – of which $36.5 million is in power bill savings alone.

For more information, visit www.savepower.nsw.gov.au