Local councils will get a $50 million boost to cut energy costs and improve sustainability, thanks to the Federal Government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund.
The funding will support 58 local government bodies across Australia in implementing energy-saving projects, including solar panel installations, battery storage systems, and electrification of public facilities.
These projects are designed to provide long-term energy cost reductions for community infrastructures, such as libraries, pools and childcare centres.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said these upgrades will make public facilities more energy-efficient.
“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,” Bowen said.
Among the projects, the Collingwood Leisure Centre in Melbourne will transition to 100 per cent renewable energy, while early learning centres in Western Sydney will install batteries, helping to store excess solar energy for use in their own and neighbouring community buildings.
In Broken Hill, New South Wales, solar panels will be installed over a car park, and gas heating will be replaced with electric heat pumps.
Federal Minister for Local Government Kristy McBain said the Government will support councils in transitioning to more energy-efficient operations.
“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,” McBain said.
“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.”
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