Surf Coast Shire secures $700,000 for energy upgrade

SURF Coast Shire will receive $700,000 in federal funding to replace a gas-powered heating and cooling system at its Civic Centre with a fully electric unit running on renewable energy.

The project, funded through the federal government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund, is expected to save 1,050 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over 20 years while reducing the council’s utility costs.

Corangamite federal member Libby Coker said the funding would help lower bills and allow council to reinvest savings into community services.

“This grant is a win not only for the Surf Coast Shire but for the community, it means savings on energy bills that can be spent on services that benefit the local community.

“I congratulate the team who were involved in the Community Energy Upgrades Fund application and encourage others to apply for Round 2.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the initiative supported councils in managing public facilities.

“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.

Surf Coast Shire mayor Mike Bodsworth thanked the federal government and said immediate action was needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Switching our Civic Centre’s heating and cooling to fully electric will make a real difference to both emissions and costs, and demonstrates tangible climate action.”

“Transforming the way we run our facilities is helping us achieve the goals we set out in our Climate Emergency Corporate Response Plan 2021-2031.”

The first round of the Community Energy Upgrades Fund received 165 applications for a $50 million funding pool.

A second round is expected to open soon, with unsuccessful applicants encouraged to reapply.