The Graytown Community Hub committee received $23,000 in Council’s 2019/20 Budget for the installation.
Previously powered by a generator, the equipment was noisy and impractical due to the increasing cost of fuel with the closest diesel located in Nagambie, an almost 30-minute drive.
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Chris Raeburn said Council undertook a request for quotation process and Euroa-based company BD North East Electrics were selected as the preferred tenderer.
“This is one of the first completely off-grid systems installed by Council and we are proud to support the Graytown Community Hub in this way,” Cr Raeburn said.
“The Hub will now be powered year-round by a sustainable energy source and members no longer have to deal with the difficulties associated with running a generator.”
“The system will have significant capacity for the current uses of the site and the battery has the ability to plug-in to the existing generator to top up the battery if required.”
Graytown Community Hub committee secretary/treasurer Julie Sims said they were happy to get solar power after running on a generator for many years.
“Solar is better for the environment and will make things much easier for us,” she said.
“As Graytown is a small remote area having a community centre means that we can engage with our neighbours in a safe environment.”
“We hope to use the community centre for more events now we have solar power.”
