The Federal Government has allocated the first half of its Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF), with 58 local government bodies around the country sharing in $50 million worth of grants aimed at reducing energy bills.
One-off grants of between $25,000 to $2.5 million have been awarded through the merit-based program, with local governments providing at least 50 per cent of project costs.
The Federal Government said whether it’s the neighbourhood sports club, the community hall, the local pool or library, local government brings us together and keeps us thriving.
Each year, eight million people use community sporting infrastructure, including local councils, and the Federal Government is working with councils so they can save on their bills and invest more into their communities.
Successful funding applications include 31 upgrades to local aquatic centres and five grants for smart electric vehicle charging infrastructure for local government vehicles.
In Melbourne, Collingwood Leisure Centre will go electric, with its air, pool and hot water system using 100 per cent renewable energy and storage.
In Western Sydney, council-owned early learning centres will free up funding to invest more into the next generation by cutting bills with batteries that soak up excess solar to be used across their own and other community buildings.
In Broken Hill, the council will install solar panels over the car park and replace gas heating with electric heat pumps.
Meanwhile in Darwin, the Casuarina Library will be cooler this summer with an energy upgrade, while further upgrades to Parap Pool and West Lane carpark are expected to see the council save $83,500 a year.
In Tasmania, a local council will ensure people keep on moving, installing smart electric vehicle chargers and dynamic load management to support electrification and the decarbonisation of its vehicle fleet.
The initiative saw round one oversubscribed, with 165 applications overall for the first $50 million package of funding. Round two is expected to open shortly, with unsuccessful applicants from round one encouraged to reapply.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said local councils run many of the sport and public facilities that keep our communities and clubs thriving.
“We want facilities that Australians know and love, like cricket grounds and local pools, to be able to save on their energy bills and spend more on the things they do best.
“The Federal Government is not just providing short term relief on power bills, with our Community Energy Upgrades Fund and Energy Savings Package, we’re helping communities bring down bills for good.”
Federal Minister for Local Government, Kristy McBain, said, “We’ve heard loud and clear from councils about the need to upgrade ageing facilities with more energy-efficient technology, to bring down their overheads and to lower their emissions – which is exactly why we launched the Community Energy Upgrades Fund.
“We now have transparent grant programs that every postcode can apply for, we’ve delivered record funding increases for local roads, and we’ve brought local councils back to the table as a trusted delivery partner – with this program a real testament to what we can achieve for our communities when we work together.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson, said the Federal Government is investing in energy efficiency measures for community facilities because it has a triple-whammy effect of cutting emissions, cutting running costs, and allowing those savings to be used for other local services.
“These projects are helping to deliver a cheaper, cleaner energy future for Australians.”
