ALBANESE LABOR GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $1.67 MILLION FOR BILL BUSTING UPGRADES ACROSS THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
Blue Mountains City Council will bring down their energy bills for good as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s bill busting Community Energy Upgrades Fund.
Blue Mountains City Council has secured $1.67 million to reduce peak demand at 7 council owned sites. This is one of 58 local government bodies around the nation that will get on with bringing down their energy bills for good, with $50 million in grants for energy upgrades in round one of the Albanese Government $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF).
Whether it’s the neighbourhood sports club, the community hall, the local pool or library, local government brings us together and keeps us thriving. Each year 8 million people use community sporting infrastructure, including local councils. Now the Albanese Government is working with local councils, so they can save on their bills and invest more into their communities.
One-off grants of between $25,000 to $2.5 million have been awarded through the merit- based program, with local government providing at least 50 per cent of project costs. Successful funding applications include 31 upgrades to local aquatic centres and five grants for smart electric vehicle charging infrastructure for local government vehicles.
The highly popular Albanese Labor Government initiative saw Round 1 oversubscribed, with 165 applications overall for the first $50 million package of funding. Round 2 is expected to open shortly, with unsuccessful applicants from round 1 warmly encouraged to reapply.
Attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
“Local councils run many of the sport and public facilities that keep our communities and clubs thriving. 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.
Attributable to Federal Member Susan Templeman:
“This is about reducing energy use, lowering emissions, and therefore helping Blue
Mountains City Council keep energy costs down in the long term.
“Swimming centres and Council premises throughout the Blue Mountains will benefit from practical improvements like the installation of new heat pumps, more efficient pool pumps and battery storage as well as the replacement of gas heating and upgraded air conditioning.
“This significant new investment will help modernise vital community infrastructure while also shrinking our carbon footprint.”
Attributable to Blue Mountains City Council Mayor Mark Greenhill OAM:
“I want to thank the Albanese Government for this fantastic outcome.
“I congratulate our staff on their quality submission as well as Susan Templeman for her tireless advocacy for our community.”
