Community Solar Power and Climate Change Workshop

Penrith residents came together in November 2008 to discuss the critical issue of climate change as part of the NSW Community Climate Summit Project.

The first of its kind in NSW, the NSW Community Climate Summit project gives everyday Australians a unique opportunity to discuss our response to the issue of climate change and to make recommendations to the NSW Government.

The discussions and deliberations from the Penrith forum brought forward a range of thoughts, concerns, suggestions, and recommendations surrounding the issue of climate change, and what we as individuals and communities can do to respond to this issue.

The views presented at the forum more than demonstrated the concern of our community with regards to climate change and the impact that it will have on our lives and our environment. Just as importantly though, it demonstrated that together, we can work to address this important issue.

Some of the key concerns discussed at the Penrith forum included; transport and the need for improved services in terms of connectivity and designated cycleways, the impact of storms and increased temperatures and the need for improvements to building design for energy efficiency and changed weather conditions, as well as issues surrounding current farming practices.

The outcomes of the Penrith forum will be brought together with those from forums held across the state at the NSW Forum being held in Sydney on February 20-21. Recommendations from the state forum presented to the NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Hon Carmel Tebbutt MP, following the event.