City ready to turn green

WITH the help of Australian country legend Lee Kernaghan and a former NASA risk manager, the city is preparing to go green.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said he was thrilled Mr Kernaghan would appear at the Smart Living 2009 cocktail evening to be held this Friday.

“This confirms that Ipswich and the surrounding region, with its vibrant and positive attitude, is attracting interest from all over Australia,” Cr Pisasale said.

“The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and Ipswich City Council have formed a partnership to bring the Risk Manager of the NASA International Space Station Program, Michael Lutomski, back to Ipswich.

“Mike will be presenting a paper at USQ's Sustainable Business Conference on Thursday, and their Junior Sustainability Conference on Friday, before he speaks at the Smart Living 2009 Open for Business seminar on the same day.”

Solar Centre Ipswich branch manager Frank Sanders said the Smart Living expo also aimed to help people make smart, green choices around the home.

“Primarily our aim with the Smart Living Expo was to arm people with the options to help them reduce their environmental impact,” Mr Sanders said.

“Obviously making use of the sun can help them save money.”

Mr Sanders said the first step people could take to become 'green' was to use the state government's Climate Smart Home service.

“On average one-third of average consumption of energy is used during the production of hot water,” he said. “About 80 per cent of houses have electric hot water systems. If a house installs solar energy it can significantly reduce their energy consumption.”

To help make people's lives and the environment cleaner, greener and healthier Ipswich Council will donate free native plants to the first 1000 ticket holders through the gate each day.

The expo will also include activities such as Life. Be In It Games, reverse garbage eco art workshops and Ipswich's own Frank Manthey from the Save the Bilby Foundation.

Public days will be held this Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Tickets will be available at the gate.