$50 million of grants will soon be made available to assist businesses and community organisations to improve energy efficiency practices and technologies and better manage energy consumption to reduce their power bills.
These grants are not open yet – but in the interim, community organisations and businesses considering applying are encouraged to lodge an Expression of Interest with their local Member of Parliament. A brief run down about these grants can be found below.
Who can apply?
Community Organisations
e.g. Men’s Sheds, community owned kindergartens, welfare centres, community centres, women’s associations, country fire authorities, community owned childcare centres, community football and netball clubs, Scout or Guide groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups and surf lifesaving clubs.
Business (they are currently working on the exact definition)
Small businesses (typically this is less than 20 staff and turnover less and 20 million last financial year)
Businesses that consume large amounts (over 0.05 petajoules) of energy each year.
What can I apply for?
Community Organisations
• equipment upgrades that reduce energy consumption, including energy generation and storage projects (for example solar photovoltaic panels, batteries and solar hot water)
• investment in energy and emissions monitoring and management systems to better manage energy use
• completion of energy systems assessments according to the Australian Standard or feasibility studies to investigate energy efficiency opportunities.
Business
• equipment upgrades that reduce energy consumption
• investment in energy and emissions monitoring and management systems to better manage energy use
• completion of energy systems assessments according to the Australian Standard or feasibility studies to investigate energy efficiency opportunities.
When can I apply?
Community Organisations
• Able to apply for grants from 1 September 2019.
Business
• Able to apply for grants by January 2020.
How much can I apply for?
Community organisations can apply for up to $12,500. Community organisations will not be required to make a co-contribution.
Small businesses can apply for $20,000 no matter the energy consumption and will not be required to make a co-contribution.
Businesses that consume large amounts of energy each year can apply for $25,000. Required to make a co-contribution of one applicant dollar to each government dollar.
For more information visit the fact sheet online here: energy.gov.au
Note: The Hills & Districts Chamber of Commerce Inc advises that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this post belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the Chamber, or a committee or other group or individual associated with the Chamber.
