Energy saving program funding secured
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East Gippsland Shire Council has successfully received funding of $100,000 from Sustainability Victoria to provide energy efficient LED lighting and solar energy systems on local community buildings.
Council has matched the funding and added an additional $50,000 to enable the Local Government Energy Saver Program to reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Mayor Cr Natalie O’Connell said the implementation of energy efficient and renewable energy projects in excess of $250,000 will enable 18 projects to be undertaken.
“These energy saving projects will mean a saving of $45,000 per year and a total of 308 tonnes of CO2 avoided each year as well.”
“Council is committed to reducing its emissions and recognises that climate change is a very real challenge for all local governments,” Cr O’Connell said.
Bairnsdale City Oval Committee of Management President Murray Frew said the solar system and LED lighting will assist the football and netball clubs enormously by reducing the power costs and the committee appreciates the funding from the state and local government to achieve this result.
Energy efficiency and grid connected solar energy will be implemented on the following community buildings:
Lucknow Squash & Table Tennis Centre – LED floodlights and 5kW solar system Orbost Library – LED lighting Paynesville AJ Freeman Reserve – 5kW solar system East Gippsland Historical Society – LED lighting and 5kW solar system Bairnsdale City Oval – 10kW solar system and LED lighting Lakes Entrance Aquadome - 45kW solar system East Gippsland Art Gallery - LED lighting, 4-star refrigerator, and heat pump hot water (to run during the day only) connected to a 5kW solar system Bairnsdale Library – 9kW solar system Council’s Corporate Centre – 26kW solar system Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre and Forge Theatre - LED lighting upgrade with a 10kW solar system Council has been working towards these initiatives by establishing an emissions profile and reduction plan, energy audits in August 2018, and March 2019 implementation of retrofit work plan. Council is a member of the Victorian Government’s TAKE2 climate change pledge to help Victoria reach zero-net emissions and keeping global temperature rise to under two degrees by 2050.