Page 2580 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 October 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
systems and so on. Industry is subject to various laws by States and Territories to regulate and penalise various polluting emissions from vehicles and industrial processes.
The effect on global warming at a local level can be seen in the fact that the average Australian family produces about 20 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. Madam Speaker, 15 per cent of a household's production of greenhouse gases comes from packaging and durables. A whopping 25 per cent comes from cars. The other 60 per cent of our energy use comes from water heating, cooking, refrigeration, clothes washing and drying, home heating, lights and other appliances, including simple things such as mixmasters and toasters. Obviously, Madam Speaker, cars produce more greenhouse gas emissions than any other single household activity. It is in the area of transport that we as individuals, families and governments are required or requested to do something about the greenhouse effect.
To this end the Shell petroleum company sponsors each year the Mileage Marathon held at Amaroo, in which teams enter energy efficient vehicles they have built. The vehicles are required to complete a set course at a minimum average speed of 25 kilometres an hour. The vehicle that uses the least energy wins. This year Lake Tuggeranong College students entered in all three categories of the race - the commuter, single-seater and open sections. Lake Tuggeranong College won the open commuter class and performed with distinction in the other categories.
Madam Speaker, the involvement of Lake Tuggeranong College students in the Shell Mileage Marathon was not limited only to the drivers. In fact, about 40 students were involved from various departments, including engineering science, design, technology, metalwork and automotive technology. Media students who filmed the event will produce a video that will be sold within ACT schools as an educational tool and made available to other competitors in the marathon. These students have demonstrated the different industrial and professional involvement required in energy efficiency. Through commitment to the goal and cooperation between different departments and areas of expertise, these students were able to produce a quality product of which there is no better example in the country. Those 40 students are very fortunate to have been involved in such a successful, innovative and educational project.
Madam Speaker, the members of the Canberra community are also fortunate to have within one of their own schools students who have achieved excellence in the field of energy efficiency at this early stage of their education. Obviously, Madam Speaker, the car that the students developed and drove is not yet able to perform the duties of the family commuter cars that Australians have come to expect. However, I believe that I can say with full confidence that the Lake Tuggeranong College students are in the forefront of development in energy saving transport. I am sure that all the students at Lake Tuggeranong College, and in particular the students who took part in the competition, are now more acutely aware than ever of the issues and concerns of energy saving within our community. It is perhaps even more significant that these students have shown us what can be achieved in conserving energy and have highlighted the need to develop specific strategies. Indeed, Madam Speaker, we can all take a leaf out of the Lake Tuggeranong College book.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .