Joint media release: Grants open to help councils save energy, save on energy bills

The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy

The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

The Hon Senator Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy 

Today the Albanese Government has opened Round 1 of the $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund to help deliver energy upgrades and bill savings for community facilities like public swimming pools, libraries, sporting clubs and community centres.

Councils across Australia can now apply under Round 1 of 2 for co-funding. In total, the whole Fund could help unlock more than $200 million in high-impact upgrades. These grants will help community facilities lower energy use and put downward pressure on bills.

Councils own and operate thousands of community, cultural and sporting facilities, with 8 million people using community sporting infrastructure each year.

One-off grants of between $25,000 and $2.5 million will be available to councils across Australia, enabling them to invest in energy-saving measures, such as replacing swimming pool heating systems with electric heat pumps, battery storage at sporting fields, and installing electric vehicle chargers for council fleets.

These grants are part of the $1.7 billion Energy Savings Package and are another example of the Albanese Government delivering on our commitment to more affordable, cleaner energy to more Australians.  

Round 1 applications are open until 30 April 2024. Grant guidelines and applications are available here: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/community-energy-upgrades-f… Grants will be awarded on merit after close of application.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“We want facilities that Australians know and love, like cricket grounds and local pools, to be able to make long overdue energy upgrades they need that will help them save on energy bills, freeing up funds for other critical community investment.

“By co-funding energy upgrades, the Albanese Government is delivering the long-term investments we need to deliver cheaper, cleaner energy for the long-term.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“The Community Energy Upgrades program will strengthen the capability of local governments to deliver targeted assistance that meet the needs of their local communities.

“As trusted delivery partners, local governments can build the capability and skills of local governments and the wider community to undertake energy upgrades.” 

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister:

“Local governments are on the front line of combating climate change, which is why we’re partnering on major projects to save energy and decarbonise public facilities.

“By helping local governments decarbonise their operations, these projects can help drive the installation of energy efficiency and electrification technology across the economy and make a real difference on the path to net zero.

“Our government wants to make every watt count and this investment is part of the government’s $1.7 billion Energy Savings Package to help households, businesses and community facilities save energy and money.”