THIS week I attended the formal start-up of the solar power array at council's regional waste facility at Cairncross.
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On a super windy day, the group of us climbed steep stairs to the roof of the Remondis Organic Resource Recovery Facility, to be blown away by the site of an 80 metre stretch of three-high solar array. Fabulous engineering.
Council's regional waste facility is very leading edge.
In 2001, it established the first tunnel composting facility in the southern hemisphere. Many such systems are now in operation around Australia.
As of this week, it becomes the first tunnel composting facility in Australia to be totally solar powered.
The new solar array has 176 panels, of 250 watts each, and estimated to produce around 67,500kWh per annum. This means an annual saving to Remondis of approximately $17,000.
The system will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 60 tonnes per annum.
It was designed, engineered and installed by local company Harelec Services, which specialises in small and large solar PV and commercial electrical services.
ON another matter, I am delighted that council has a strong commitment to an ongoing apprenticeship and traineeship program.
For those interested, the 2015 program is now open, with applications invited across fields of electrical, mechanical, road maintenance construction, water and sewer, and parks and gardens.
Applications close 21 September. For info, contact Jane Matley at council.
Council currently employs 615 people occupying nearly 490 full time equivalent positions. There is a good emphasis on casual and part-time positions, to suit the needs of both council and the employee.
Council has a good rate of staff retention, with turnover running at under 7%. In comparison, the public sector Australia wide runs at about 10% annual turnover.
Each year, council invests strongly in employee training, to develop skills and maintain professional qualifications.
Safety is always high on council's agenda, and last year's workers compensation claims were the lowest cost for the decade.
During the past year, 109 new employees joined council.
Every two years, council conducts an employee survey, and applies the results to an ongoing process of workplace improvement.
