Communities share in $42 million for smarter energy use

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, have announced over $42 million in grants to improve energy efficiency across community buildings and facilities.

Improving energy efficiency is a central element of the federal government’s Clean Energy Future plan, to help boost productivity in the economy and move Australia towards a low-carbon future.

“The 63 successful round one recipients of the Community Energy Efficiency Program will co-fund projects to improve energy efficiency in community buildings such as museums, indoor sports and aquatic centres, art galleries and libraries,” Combet said.

“A program like this, which will enable local government and community groups to improve energy efficiency, is made possible by the carbon price.”

Combet congratulated the Community Energy Efficiency Program recipients during a visit to Brisbane. Brisbane City Council will receive a $5 million grant to assist with a large-scale retrofit of 25,000 street lights across the local government area. The council is co-investing a further $5 million towards the project.

“The Community Energy Efficiency Program will help to inform the community about the benefits of smart energy use, while providing improved services and amenities, buildings and community facilities. It will help lower energy use, cut pollution, save money and support local industries,” Dreyfus said.

“The government is funding 63 projects from 298 applications in the first round of the program. A wide range of high-quality proposals was received and successful projects vary from energy-efficiency upgrades of heritage-listed buildings to installing new street lighting and trigeneration projects.”

Applications were assessed by an independent committee on the potential to improve energy efficiency, encourage and demonstrate energy management, value for money, project management and design.

The $200 million Community Energy Efficiency Program has multiple rounds. An announcement on round two will be made later this year.