SHE’S MORE THAN JUST A BRIDGE
“Imagine harvesting the energy created by the Sydney Harbour Bridge and converting it
into electricity? Imagine walking or driving across the Bridge knowing the vibrational
energy produced by our footsteps or tyres could power thousands of homes?”
Media Alert – Sunday 15 November 2009.
TODAY - 10.30 am - Bradfield Park, Alfred Street, Milson's Point.
4Change, who have changed their name from the former Climate Change Coalition,
today will formally announce their campaign for the by- election in the Sydney electorate
named after Bradfield, under their new banner of sustainability and political reform.
Media Release – Sunday 15 November 2009
She’s more than just a Bridge
“Imagine harvesting the energy created by the Sydney Harbour Bridge and converting it
into electricity? Imagine walking or driving across the Bridge knowing the vibrational
energy produced by our footsteps or tyres could power thousands of homes?” said
Deborah Burt today.
Vibration is a prolific energy source, which can, through the use of transducers, be
converted into electrical energy.
The Bridge, with thousands of cars, trucks and trains traversing it every day, could be
using its vibration to create electricity to power thousands of homes.
The CSIRO says that each step a person takes produces 64 watts of energy. That's enough
to power a lightbulb! So it's obvious that every move we make counts. By using
transducers, such as special ceramic tiles, CSIRO scientists can harvest the vibrational
energy our footsteps make and feed it to a power grid or store it in batteries.
This is the type of far-sighted thinking that needs government support.
4Change wants to see investment in renewable energy technologies as a priority – not
spending $2billion as promised in the last Federal budget for carbon capture and storage
projects.
As Ian Macfarlane said on 4Corners last Monday “You can talk about all the stuff you
like about carbon capture storage, that concept will not materialise for 20 years, and
probably never.”
$2billion could make a big difference to the speed and scale at which Australia’s
renewable energy industry could compete on the world stage.
The Chinese government recognises the potential of this next great global energy
industry. There has been massive buildup in domestic solar and wind energy projects.
Last October the world’s largest solar research centre was opened – in Xian China.
The history books tell us that John Job Crew Bradfield - the man who the electorate of
Bradfield was named after, and the man who engineered the Sydney Harbour Bridge -
was a practical engineer, an outstanding public servant and a man of vision. He ensured
the Bridge was wide enough to serve the community well for at least 60 years. It was
built with an eye to the future.
Where is the Labor and Liberal party thinking with regards to renewable technology?
They’re not thinking like John Bradfield and forseeing a vision for a better future.
4Change has made sustainability the guiding principle for all decision-making, bringing
policy and legislative change grounded in balancing the needs of the economy,
environment and community.
Deborah Burt is President of 4Change and will represent the Party in the Bradfield by-
election on 5 December 2009.
For further information contact Deborah Burt – phone 0427 699737
NEWS 
