Over the next few years Sydney Theatre Company will work to transform The Wharf, our much-loved home on Sydney Harbour, into a unique demonstration of how buildings, even heritage-listed ones, can be made more sustainable. Our aim is to deliver the majority of Sydney Theatre Company’s energy and water requirements from sustainable sources - a first for any theatre company in the world in its comprehensive approach to sustainability.
Ground-Breaking Solar Technology
A crucial component of Greening The Wharf, the second-largest capacity solar array mounted on a building in Australia, will be made possible through an extraordinary philanthropic contribution. $2m has been generously donated by the family foundation of Dr Zhengrong and Mrs Vivienne Shi in partnership
with the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales. In addition, $1.2m from the Federal Government’s Green Precincts Fund and three private gifts from, Cameron and Ilse O’Reilly, Peter Hall and Laura Smith, and David and Claire Paradice, provide a solid base from which we plan to complete the funding for the full Greening The Wharf program while it moves ahead with the first phase of the works in early 2010.
Current Activity
While the Development Application for the solar array has been submitted and is being assessed we're working with the Government Architect on the tender for the design and installation of our unique solar facility. We expect to be in a position to begin work on the installation of the solar array in the first quarter of 2010. We're also auditing our energy consumption in all areas of the building to determine the best energy saving practices to adopt in each place.
If you've visited The Wharf recently you would have seen temporary public bathrooms in place. With the assistance of Arts NSW, Caroma and Sydney Water we're completing a long overdue refurbishment of the bathrooms which will not only incorporate WELS 4.5 and 6 Star rated fittings to reduce our water consumption but will also ensure compatibility with the rainwater harvesting system we plan to install during 2010.
Show Your Colours
We have produced a special reusable shopping bag, with proceeds going towards the Greening The Wharf program. Made with 100% recycled materials, the bag is 100% biodegradable and are now available to purchase for $12 by visiting The Wharf Box Office. For each bag sold, $5 will go directly to Greening The Wharf.
The Wentworth Talks
We will be joining with the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists in 2010 to present The Wentworth Talks, a series of bi-monthly presentations and panel discussions at The Wharf led by guest speakers addressing a wide range of topics relating to climate change and the environment. A list of dates in 2010 is below - keep an eye on the website throughout the year for specific details or sign up to our Enews by clicking here.
Monday 8 February at 7.30pm
Monday 19 April at 6.30pm
Monday 28 June at 6.30pm
Monday 23 August at 6.30pm
Monday 11 October at 6.30pm
Monday 6 December at 6.30pm
* Header image is an artist's impression courtesy of the Government Architect.
