Federal funding for community energy upgrades

The federal government has announced $100 million in funding to deliver energy upgrades for community facilities such as local pools, sporting clubs and community centres. The assistance is aimed at helping councils cut their emissions and reduce their energy bills.

“The new $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund will co-fund upgrades with councils and has the potential to unlock over $200 million in high-impact energy upgrades to save community facilities on their bills,” says the government statement.

“Local councils own and operate many of the public sporting, community and cultural facilities Australians use every year. Eight million Australians use community sport infrastructure annually.”

The new funding will cover upgrades such as replacing energy-intensive heating in pools with heat pumps and energy-efficient lighting and battery storage at sporting fields, libraries and community centres.

The government says the guidelines for the fund will be designed in close consultation with key stakeholders, including the Australian Local Government Association.

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