Life Saving Clubs in the Surf Coast will be shifting towards renewable energy ahead of next summer season thanks to the Andrews Government.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP announced that 7 of the 42 clubs awarded grants for the installation of 5 kilowatt solar panel systems to generate their own renewable power were from the Surf Coast.
The successful clubs were:
- Bancoora Surf Life Saving Club
- Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club
- Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club
- Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club
- Kennett River Surf Life Saving Club
- Wye River Surf Life Saving Club
- Lorne Surf Life Saving Club
The $500,000 Community Renewables Solar Grants Initiative, launched in January this year, assists Victorian Communities in moving towards a clean energy future and is one of a number of active initiatives operating under the Andrews Labor Government’s Renewable Energy Roadmap.
Ms Tierney said the Labor Government understood that electricity represents a major operating cost to local clubs and that having solar panels installed will help reduce costs and allow more funding directly targeted toward the safety of their communities.
The Labor Government is pleased to be working with Life Saving Victoria to see more than 800 solar panels installed over the coming weeks, equating to over 200 kilowatts of clean energy across its clubs.
This renewable energy initiative will transform the way community life saving clubs light and power their operations by embracing renewable energy generation, which will help keep bills down and cut greenhouse emissions.
Across Victoria, 12 Clean Energy Council approved solar retailers have competed for the installation grant, supporting local jobs in the renewable industry and helping clubs invest in a sustainable technology.
This initiative aims at accelerating the development of renewable energy civic projects in Victoria and helps to reduce the costs associated with addressing issues such as climate change.
Quotes attributable to Gayle Tierney MP
“Our life saving clubs will not only benefit from lower energy costs but also reduce their greenhouse gas emissions each year.”
“Local communities are at the very forefront of this initiative and will play a vital role ensuring renewable energy is an affordable option.”