This Government is about helping Australians do their bit for the environment, whilst also reducing their electricity bills.
The work to install a 15.3kW solar panel system on one of the Torquay Country Fire Authority’s buildings will deliver benefits to the community through energy cost savings, and also to the environment through emissions reduction.
The Victorian town of Torquay is one of many which will soon reap the benefits of more solar energy thanks to the Australian Government’s Solar Towns Programme.
Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, said this project is just one of 20 projects the Government has funded in Corangamite under Round 1 of the Solar Towns Programme.
“The Solar Towns Programme helps community groups reduce their electricity bills as well as increasing the uptake of solar in Corangamite.”
Sarah Henderson, Federal Member for Corangamite said a total of $300,000 was made available this financial year to community groups in Surf Coast Shire to assist with the purchase and installation of solar photovoltaic panels or solar hot water systems.
“A wide range of organisations were successful, including Torquay and Anglesea Surf Life Saving Clubs, sporting clubs and local CFA branches such as Bellbrae and Aireys Inlet,” said Ms Henderson.
“I’m so pleased that these organisations – twenty in all – will be contributing to production of clean, green solar energy.”
“I am a strong supporter of renewable energy and these grants are part of an election commitment by the Government, to install renewable energy systems on buildings that provide support for the Surf Coast community,” Ms Henderson said.
The Solar Towns Programme is part of the Australian Government’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst helping communities to engage at a local level with clean renewable energy.
Under the programme, the Government has allocated $2.1 million over three years to support community organisations who wish to install either a solar photovoltaic panel system or a solar hot water system, on an existing building that provides support to the local community.
(ENDS)