Indigo Shire Council has awarded almost $17,000 in funding to various community groups through its 2022-2023 Community Sustainability Grants Program.
The program, now in its fifth year, provides financial assistance to community groups and organisations to implement and build capacity for renewable energy, energy efficiency, biodiversity and climate change related projects.
A total of six organisations across the Shire will share in the funding which will see a range of initiatives implemented such as capital works projects that reduce energy costs to community facilities, flood recovery initiatives, projects that reduce greenhouse emissions and work towards a net zero emissions future and educational events.
One of the successful applications, the Rutherglen Historical Society Inc is set to receive $5,000 in funding to support its Gold Battery Solar Sustainability project. The project will see a 2.9kW Solar PV system installed, which will help mitigate the organisation's rising operational power costs as well as reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Neville Wiggins, Chair of the Rutherglen Gold Battery Committee says it is so incredibly grateful and relieved to be recipients of much-needed funding.
"We have been struggling on multi-levels in recent years and had reached the point where sustainability was questionable. This grant will enable us to combat energy bills, run our battery more regularly for community and visitors, and contribute to a responsible-energy-awareness future."
"We cannot thank Indigo Shire Council enough." Mr Wiggins said.
Mayor, Sophie Price, says the number of Indigo community organisations showing great leadership in climate change mitigation and sustainability initiatives is something that makes Indigo Shire such a special place and that Council is proud to support these organisations to drive and implement positive change for future generations.
