The Federal Government has announced an additional $35.2 million in funding for its Green Building Fund and Tax Breaks for Green Buildings Programs.

 

The funding, announced by Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr, will be directed towards 'greening-up' 90 buildings to assist in reducing the carbon production of Australia's commercial buildings.

 

"The buildings that will be transformed include hotels, shopping centres and office blocks. We expect the upgrades to reduce the buildings' greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 118,000 tonnes a year," Senator Carr said.

 

The fit-outs may include new state-of-the-art heating and air conditioning systems, smart room controllers (for hotel guest rooms), energy efficient lighting systems and building energy management systems.

 

The Green Building Fund began in 2008 and was expanded in 2010 to include existing hotels and shopping centres.

 

The Green Building Fund has now generated total expected emission savings of almost 300,000 tonnes per year, according to the Federal Government. A list of Round 7 grant offers is available. For more information, visit www.ausindustry.gov.au.

 

From 1 July 2012, eligible businesses that invest in improving the energy efficiency of their existing buildings will be able to apply for a tax break through the $1 billion Tax Breaks for Green Buildings Program.