GRANTS TO HELP COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS REDUCE THEIR ENERGY COSTS

Riverina and Central West community organisations are being invited to submit an expression of interest (EOI) in a grant program designed to help them reduce energy costs.

Funding of $67,700 has been allocated to the Riverina electorate through the Powering Communities Programme for up to 12 grants of between $5,000 and $12,000 each, said Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

Mr McCormack said the grants could pay for up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs for not-for-profit organisations.

Not-for-profit organisations include PCYCs, childcare centres, local aged care bodies, non-distributing co-operatives, companies limited by guarantee, Indigenous not-for-profit corporations and some local emergency service volunteer organisations.

“Eligible projects include installing a rooftop PV system, replacing a rooftop packaged air conditioner with a multi-split system and conducting an energy audit to evaluate ways to save energy,” Mr McCormack said.

Mr McCormack said the grant guidelines stipulated that community groups wanting to use grant money for solar projects must use Clean Energy Council accredited installers and choose Clean Energy Council approved products.

Further information about the Powering Communities Program and EOI forms could be obtained by telephoning Mr McCormack’s Wagga Wagga electorate office on (02) 6921 4600 or by emailing michael.mccormack.mp@aph.gov.au

The EOI period for the Riverina electorate closes on Friday, 16 July 2021. Mr McCormack will then consult with a local advisory committee on which EOIs progress to the application stage.