Trentham group gets energy grant

A LOCAL community climate resilience and adaptation project is receiving a boost thanks to a grant between ANZ and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

Trentham Sustainability Group is one of 22 community groups and organisations sharing in a $250,000 funding pool between the ANZ Seeds of Renewal program.

The local group is receiving $15,000 towards the development of their Energy and Climate Resilient Trentham project aimed at developing an energy resilience hub for the town’s households and businesses to maintain power during extreme weather events.

The project is one of two in the scheme’s Improving environmental sustainability strain.

FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, said the initiative is about supporting groups and organisations to continue making rural and regional Australia more sustainable.

“Across remote, rural and regional Australia, not-for-profit organisations play a vital role in helping address the critical environmental, financial, housing or wellbeing needs of their communities,” she said.

“Through partnerships, such as our longstanding association with ANZ, we can support and fund these groups to lead local initiatives and continue to strive for, and celebrate, the liveability, sustainability and vibrancy of Australia’s remote, rural and regional communities.”

Now in its 22nd year, ANZ’s head of business Mark Bennett said the Seeds of Renewal program has continued to be an important initiative. “For over two decades, Seeds of Renewal has provided more than $6 million to approximately 930 projects, helping around 870 communities in remote and regional Australia build their resilience, sustainability and vibrancy,” he said.

“We are proud to provide funding for a diverse mix of projects that will support lasting economic and social growth for rural communities.

“These targeted and well-informed grants allow local organisations to implement initiatives that will have a meaningful impact…”