Blaxland goes green

Located in the lower part of the heritage-listed Blue Mountains, Blaxland is surrounded by national parks.

It is fitting then Blaxland Uniting Church is getting involved with Project Green Church.

The congregation is assessing providers so the church’s hall can be switched over to green energy.

A committee has been formed to research further ways to make Blaxland Uniting more environmentally sustainable. A water tank, energy-saving lights and skylights were among possibilities discussed at the committee’s first meeting on February 25.

Congregation minister, the Rev. Peter Pereira, said he was encouraged by the number of people who attended. “We were originally planning on having the meeting in our small meeting room but there were too many people to fit in there so we had to move it into the hall,” he said.

“The level of concern, and the willingness of people to get involved, is encouraging.”

The church’s Environment Day on February 2 was a decisive moment in the decision. One of the originators of Project Green Church, Geoff Ca llaghan, visited the church to outline the project’s vision.

“The church was packed that day and everyone was fired up about the whole thing,” Mr Pereira said.

A petition was handed out, asking members if they were in favour of switching to green energy. Mr Pereira said the response was overwhelmingly positive.

The church is now considering lobbying governments for greater subsidies for green power. It will take its ideas to other churches in the area, as well as the wider community.