Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP was joined by Minister for the Environment the Hon Greg Hunt MP, to announce six community organisations in Forde will share in $100,000 towards installing solar.
Mr van Manen said the solar grants would help the local community play its part in reducing Australia’s emissions while also benefiting from lower electricity bills.
“The Coalition’s Solar Communities Program will provide funding for groups across Australia to install rooftop solar PV, solar hot water and battery storage systems for community owned buildings,” Mr van Manen said.
“I am very pleased to be joined by Minister Hunt to congratulate the community organisations who are environmentally conscious and have successfully applied for this funding program.”
Organisations in Forde who will receive up to $15,000 to install solar under the Solar Communities Program include:
- Park Ridge Panthers Football Club, Park Ridge
- Twin Rivers Community Care Association, Eagleby
- Beenleigh Multisport Association, Beenleigh
- Bethania Community Hall, Bethania
- Pimpama Community Hall, Pimpama
- Waterford Demons Rugby League Club, Waterford
“A 10KM solar PV provides a saving of around $4000 per annum, so there’s real potential for these six organisations to save a total of $24,000 per annum,” Mr van Manen said.
Minister Hunt said around 350 community groups around Australia such as sporting clubs, churches, and scouts would benefit from the expanded Solar Communities Program, with $5 million available for solar grants.
“Unlike Labor, the Coalition Government is committed to tackling climate change without hiking up power bills for community groups, families and businesses and putting Australian jobs at risk,” Minister Hunt said.
“Bill Shorten’s carbon tax is a tax on electricity and will hurt community groups across Australia. By contrast, we are committed to supporting community groups with our expanded Solar Communities program.”
“Under the Turnbull Government, half a million households and businesses have already made the switch to solar,” Minister Hunt said.
“Australia has the highest proportion of households with solar panels in the world – about 15 per cent.”
The Australian Government’s Renewable Energy Target provides for an average rebate for a solar system of $3,000, or about 30 per cent of the installation cost.
