The Federal Government has announced the remaining $45 million funds from the solar Hot Ware Rebate Scheme will be used to support two separate national programs assisting local communities become more energy efficient.

 

"A new $24 million dollar Local Government Energy Efficiency Program will be established to help local councils install solar or heat pump hot water systems in community facilities," said Mark Dreyfus, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency,” Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus said.

 

"We want to ensure this program supports local businesses, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and makes buildings and facilities cheaper to run for local government and therefore ratepayers.”

 

Mr Dreyfus also announced an extra $20.7 million for the Home Energy Saver Scheme to assist low income households across Australia.

 

Mr Dreyfus said the Federal Government would work closely with councils and industry across Australia to finalise the guidelines for the program. 

 

The boosted program will give more households access to a No Interest Loan Scheme, delivered through Good Shepherd Microfinance, and ensure solar hot water systems are available along with other energy efficient products.

 

The Australian Local Government Association has welcomed the move, saying it will assist with local council’s ongoing infrastructure costs.

 

“Councils across the country will be grateful in receiving this assistance, as it will help to ensure the comfort of community buildings and facilities, subsidize heating costs and ensure the use of efficient sources of energy,” ALGA President Genia McCaffery said.

 

“All local governments will be eligible to apply for funding under the $24 million Program and costings have been calculated on a 100 per cent take-up by councils.”

 

“The funding allocation available to each council will be dependent on size and while the guidelines are still being finalised as part of consultations in developing the Program, it’s understood that small and rural councils can apply for $25,000; medium and regional councils can apply for $40,000; and metropolitan and large regional councils can apply for $73,000.”