Bankstown District Sports Club set for cool savings with CEFC finance

6 August 2014

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Commonwealth Bank are helping Bankstown District Sports Club, one of NSW's largest registered clubs, to make major power savings and invest in efficient solar energy. 

The club will save more than 6.6 per cent on energy costs by installing a new chiller system that is 50 per cent more efficient than the current system. 

As well as the improved chiller, adding solar to the club's Baulkham Hills venue will also generate savings. Baulkham Hills Sports Club will put an 85kW solar system on its roof which will generate about 10 per cent of the site's energy needs. 

CEFC CEO Oliver Yates said Bankstown demonstrates how the CEFC and Commonwealth Bank Energy Efficient Loan finance is supporting community organisations and sporting clubs to reduce their energy costs. 

"We're financing community organisations so they can make changes now that will help them save on energy for years to come, so they can continue to provide cost-effective, state of the art facilities and services for their patrons," he said. 

Club CEO Mark Condi said the upgrade to a more energy efficient chiller and cooling tower and the installation of a solar system were part of the club's continuing improvements and reinforce its commitment to its community and the environment.

"This project is helping us save on our energy costs while showing our community that we place an importance on operating in the best interests of the environment. It is in line with our other sustainability initiatives including upgrading to energy efficient lighting and installing Australia's largest indoor composter to recycle kitchen waste," he said. 

"The Energy Efficient Loan is helping meet the upfront costs of this project and we're hoping to have the new equipment installed and operating by the end of the year. The rooftop solar, which will help us further reduce our energy bills." 

Engineered Environments, who worked with the club to assess and install the new chiller equipment, estimate that it will use half the energy of the existing plants.

There are more than 1,400 registered clubs in NSW, which directly employ over 40,000 people and have over 5.7 million members. According to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Energy Saver Program, the clubs sector is a significant user of energy. It is estimated the sector in NSW consumes approximately 2.5 million GJ of energy each year, with energy costs of about $70 million.

Some larger clubs now spend well over $1 million a year on energy bills. Increasing energy prices mean understanding and managing energy costs will become even more important for these organisations in the future.

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About Energy Efficient Loans

The Energy Efficient Loan program is designed for projects of more than $500,000 with terms offered up to 12 years, and can be used to cover the full value or part of a project.

The loan program is designed for organisations in the local government, health, education and community not-for-profit sector to upgrade their facilities and improve their energy efficiency. Finance may be available for up to 100 per cent of a project's cost so organisations can achieve operating cost savings by using new equipment, helping them better serve their members and communities. 

Organisations with an existing banking relationship with Commonwealth Bank can find out about how to access this finance through their Relationship Manager or Asset Finance Business Development Manager. Alternatively, further information is available from the CEFC at cefc.com.au

About the Bankstown District Sports Club

Bankstown Sports Club, with a membership of over 65,000 is a major destination and entertainment hub, located in the heart of the CBD. The venue has eight dining experiences including La Piazza, a unique Italian precinct, a variety of conference spaces such as The Grand Ballroom and entertainment facilities including The Theatre. Within the club is located the Travelodge Bankstown Hotel, a unique Rainforest Lounge and Monkey Mania - the largest indoor children's play structure in the southern hemisphere.

The Bankstown Sports Club group includes Bankstown Sports Bowls, Baulkham Hills Sports and Birrong Sports clubs.

The club is committed to its community and its sustainability, with measures including:

• Composting food waste in Australia's largest indoor onsite composter which recycles about 70kg of food a day. The club donates the compost to local community gardens and community groups.
• In 2012/13 the club embarked on a $13 million upgrade with state-of-the art lighting, climate control, outdoor terraces and new bars. The Atrium bar now features four 20m custom-designed panels and utilises 4,000 programmed LED lights.
• The club is sourcing wine from NSW to reduce transport costs and is looking to source locally grown food supplies and organic options.

As a not-for-profit community club, Bankstown Sports club provided just over $2.3 million in 2012-13 to the community through its support of more than 43 sporting clubs, the ClubGRANTS program and general community grants.