Alpine Shire Council has been successful in its application for the Australian Government's Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF) to install energy efficiency upgrades, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery storage systems on Council facilities.
Through round two of the CEUF, Council received $350,000 (excluding GST), which Council will match with an equal co-contribution of $350,000 (excluding GST) as per the requirements of the grant.
The total funding amount of $700,000 will allow Council to action items identified in the Alpine Shire Climate Action Plan 2025-2029, including the delivery of energy-efficient upgrades to Council-owned facilities and continuing to install solar PV and battery systems at facilities owned and/or managed by Council.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, said that this grant is a terrific opportunity for Council and will accelerate the upgrades to their facilities to enhance grid stability in townships, reduce energy costs for users of Council-owned facilities, and strengthen local energy resilience.
"Aside from the vital and necessary work of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, one of the main benefits of energy efficiency upgrades, solar PV, and battery storage systems on our facilities is the cost savings that will be passed onto our communities," she said.
"We are at a really exciting stage of our journey where we are producing local renewable energy to reduce electricity costs and improve the energy resilience of locals and visitors to Alpine Shire."
This funding must be delivered within the next two financial years and will prioritise works on facilities that currently have high energy bills, still rely on gas, and have ageing, inefficient, and unreliable equipment and appliances.
Cr Nicholas said that community members can now view a map of installed solar PV and battery storage systems online by visiting the Sustainability Hub on Engage Alpine.
"We have 22 facilities that use less grid electricity due to the installation of solar PV and battery storage systems, including the Bright Community Centre, the Mount Beauty Stadium, the RC McNamara Reserve in Myrtleford, and St Alban's Hall in Running Creek," she said.
"We have developed an online map so that community members can see what is happening in and around their home towns, and will continue to update it as we prioritise the list of suitable facilities."
The map of solar PV and battery storage systems can be found online by visiting: https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/community-hubs/sustainability-hub/solar-and-batteries-in-alpine-shire