The Tablelands Community Centre in Ruffy, Strathbogie Memorial Hall and Euroa Historical and Genealogical Society Inc. will receive the audits with the aim to reduce energy bill cost, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
This project is funded through the $797 million ‘Helping Victorians pay for their energy bill’ package announced by the Minister for Energy, the Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio on 17 November 2020.
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said the community facilities would benefit from the audits through the installation of energy efficient measures and renewable energy upgrades
“We are pleased to be able to conduct the audits thanks to the Sustainability Victoria grant funding,” Cr Binks said.
“They’ll be working with Victorian community groups over the next year to upgrade the energy efficiency of community facilities and adopt renewable energy solutions that will deliver significant reductions in energy costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions and provide greater year-round comfort.”
The community groups welcomed the funding.
“Being a community hall and with our limited resources it is important that we understand how energy is being used within the hall and is it in the most efficient manner,” Strathbogie Memorial Hall Treasurer Henry O’Connor said.
Tablelands Community Centre chairperson Fiona Steel said the Ruffy-based facility was much loved and well-used by the community.
“Any energy savings that are identified will mean the cost to the community is reduced,” she said.
“As a small farming community there is a need for the committee of management to keep costs down to ensure that the facility remains a viable and vibrant location for private and community gatherings.”
Euroa Historical and Genealogical Society Inc. president John Gilbert welcomed the funding received to conduct an energy audit at their facility.
“We will look into a couple of possibilities once the audit has been completed which certainly opens to door for us,” he said.
Grants were awarded to 115 Community Groups across Victoria in Round 1 to assess the energy use of their facilities and to 52 Community Groups to implement renewable energy and energy efficient solutions.
