lifestyle
Burma at Auckland Zoo. IMAGE: Zoos SA.
Elephants return to SA
For the first time in about 30 years, elephants will return to a South Australian zoo. Thousands of people have donated to help establish a new elephant habitat at Monarto Safari Park, south of Adelaide.
Three Asian elephants will be relocated to Monarto Safari Park – Permai and Putra Mas from the Perth Zoo and Burma from the Auckland Zoo.
Zoos SA Chief Executive Elaine Bensted says the response from the public has been amazing, with the zoo reaching its $2 million fundraising target 28 days early.
“We’ve had over 4500 individual donors, and that started right from when we did the launch,” Elaine says. “Then we got that amazing kickstart with a single donation of a million dollars, which was phenomenal. I think there’s something very special about elephants and I sort of always knew that.”
Work will soon begin on the 14-hectare elephant enclosure, which is slightly larger than Westfield Marion.
“There’s still a big elephant house [from when Monarto last had an elephant] but it’s obviously 30 years old, so it needs a lot of work,” Elaine says.
“It didn’t have water, didn’t have sprinkler systems and misting so we’ll need to add to it. We’re also building big outdoor yards, big indoor areas… a water hole, bathing areas, and visitor viewing areas.” The elephants are expected to arrive in 2024 or 2025.
Solar sales soar
South Australians looking to combat skyrocketing energy bills are making the switch to solar, with RAA seeing a 75 per cent increase in home solar sales last financial year.
In 2022—23, RAA installed more than 14,000 solar panels – up from 8000 the previous year.
The increase in South Australians turning to solar and battery comes as the Australian Energy Regulator announced an electricity price hike of up to 23.9 per cent for the current financial year.
RAA General Manager of Home and Energy Ben Owen says RAA members are grappling with the rising cost of living, including higher electricity prices.
“As electricity prices rise, some of our members are recouping their costs for installation of their solar system in less than three years,” Ben says.
“It’s the same for solar systems with batteries, with some members now paying those off in less than six years.”
A household with an average energy consumption of 25kWh per day can save about $2685 in the first year of having a home solar and battery system. As well as saving money, they’re also reducing their carbon emissions by 6.6 tonnes a year.
Want to know more about RAA Solar and Battery? Visit raa.com.au/solar-and-battery
Why do I need to have my air-conditioner serviced regularly?
The hot weather has arrived, so if you haven’t already, you’ll want to get your air-con serviced as soon as possible. It could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. RAA Product and Pricing Manager Roy Lee explains why it’s important to have your air-con checked regularly.
It’s important to have your air-con serviced at least once a year. This ensures dust and dirt doesn’t accumulate in the fans, filters and other parts. When you turn your air-conditioning on, the dust could slowly damage the system’s internal components and reduce its overall efficiency. Not only that, if there’s dust in the unit, it will decrease the air quality inside your home and is more likely to circulate dust, pollen and other allergens.
There are several other benefits to having your air-con maintained and checked each year. If your unit is running efficiently, it will reduce your electricity consumption and in turn your energy bill. And, if it’s working efficiently, it will keep your home at a constant temperature.
When you purchase an air-conditioner, you want it to last as long as possible. Regular maintenance will help prolong the life of the unit and make it easier to identify and fix minor issues before they become larger, more costly problems.
It isn’t just about cost though. If your air-conditioning isn’t serviced regularly, it could no longer be safe to operate.
Maintenance checks include identifying faulty wiring and other electrical issues that can potentially cause a fire. They can also help detect refrigeration leaks, which can be harmful to the environment.
A simple air-conditioning service will also give you peace of mind during summer. Knowing your air-con is in good working order can help to allay any fears that it’ll break down in the middle of a heatwave.
To have your air-conditioning unit serviced, visit raa.com.au/trade-assist or call 8202 4988.
3 places to watch the 2024 Santos Tour Down Under
1. Murray Street, Tanunda
Sit back with a glass of local wine and watch the cyclists do all the hard work as the men’s race visits Barossa for the opening stage of the Tour Down Under. Enjoy the excitement of the race in Tanunda, with the race starting and finishing in Murray Street.
2. The Strand, Port Elliot
Port Elliot is set to make its race debut, with stage four of the Tour Down Under finishing on The Strand. Grab a pastry from the famous Port Elliot Bakery and watch the riders battle for the win.
3. Willunga Hill
Willunga Hill is a favourite, with the men’s and women’s races ending at the top. The men will tackle the hill on stage five, while the women will complete the ascent at the end of stage three.
IMAGES: Getty; RAA; SATC/Chris Auld.
