The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories
The Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate CHange and Energy
Batteries to soak up excess solar at a council childcare centre, solar panels to cut bills for the local library and the community pool going all-electric are just some of the projects the Albanese Government is backing with its $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF).
Today 58 local government bodies around the nation will get on with bringing down their energy bills for good, with $50 million in grants for energy upgrades going out the door.
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 8 million people use community sporting infrastructure, including local councils. Now the Albanese Government is working with councils, so they can save on their bills and invest more into their communities.
One-off grants of between $25,000 to $2.5 million have been awarded through the merit-based program, with local government providing at least 50 per cent of project costs.
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% renewable energy and storage.
In Western Sydney, council-owned early learning centres will free up funding to invest more into our next generation by cutting bills with batteries that soak up excess solar to be used across their own and other community buildings. While in Broken Hill they'll unlock their sunny skies with the council installing solar panels over the car park and replacing 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 will 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 decarbonisation of its vehicle fleet.
The highly popular Albanese Labor Government initiative saw Round 1 oversubscribed, with 165 applications overall for the first $50 million package of funding. Round 2 is expected to open shortly, with unsuccessful applicants from round 1 warmly encouraged to reapply.
Attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
"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 Albanese 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."
Attributable to Minister for Local Government Kristy McBain:
"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 after a decade of neglect - with this program a real testament to what we can achieve for our communities when we work together."
Attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson:
"The Albanese 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."
BACKGROUND:
STATE |
SUCCESSFUL COUNCILS |
TOTAL GRANT FUNDING |
NSW |
17 Blue Mountains City Council, Campbelltown City Council, Coolamon Shire Council, Council of the City of Broken Hill, Cowra Shire Council, Dubbo Regional Council, Inner West Council, Junee Shire Council, Ku-Ring-Gai Council, Leeton Shire Council, Lockhart Shire Council, Mid-Western Regional Council, Northern Beaches Council, Parkes Shire Council, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Wagga Wagga City Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council, |
$15.3 million |
VICTORIA |
15 Ballarat City Council, Banyule City Council, Cardinia Shire Council, City of Maribyrnong, Colac Otway Shire, Corangamite Shire Council, Glen Eira City Council, Mansfield Shire Council, Melbourne City Council, Merri-Bek City Council, Mildura Rural City Council, Surf Coast Shire, Wyndham City Council, Yarra City Council, Yarra Ranges Shire Council |
$23.9 million |
QUEENSLAND |
7 Aurukun Shire Council, Brisbane City Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council, Maranoa Regional Council, Murweh Shire Council, Paroo Shire Council |
$4.5 million |
SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
7 Barunga West Council, City of West Torrens, Corporation of the City of Unley, District Council of Loxton Waikerie, Rural City of Murray Bridge, The Barossa Council, The Flinders Rangers Council, |
$2.3 million |
WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
5 City of Armadale, City of Melville, City of Swan, Town of East Fremantle, Town of Port Hedland |
$2.8 million |
TASMANIA |
5 Brighton Council, Clarence City Council, Devonport City Council, Huon Valley Council, Launceston City Council, |
$674,011 |
NORTHERN TERRITORY |
2 Central Desert Regional Council, City Darwin |
$580,528 |
