Mildura Rural City Council will forge ahead with a suite of energy-saving upgrades that will slash over $400,000 from the organisation's annual operating costs, following a $2.5 million funding boost from the Australian Government.
The government recently announced Council was successful in its application for Community Energy Upgrades Fund Program funding for the following projects over the next two years.
- boiler upgrades – Mildura Waves (Gas to Electric)
- boiler upgrades – Mildura Arts Centre (Gas to Electric)
- appliance upgrades (Gas to Electric) – The Alfred Deakin Centre, Mildura Sporting Precinct, Irymple Multicultural Senior Citizens' Centre, Mildura Senior Citizens' Centre and Old Mildura Homestead Woolshed
- hot water system Upgrades Stage 2 (Gas to Electric) – Mildura Arts Centre, Irymple Multicultural Senior Citizens' Centre, Irymple Community Leisure Centre and Mildura Bicycle and Travellers Hub
- electric vehicle charging stations – Benetook and Red Cliffs Depots and The Alfred Deakin Centre
- solar PV and battery storage – Benetook Depot
- solar PV – The Alfred Deakin Centre
- solar PV Stage 2 – Mildura Sporting Precinct
- lighting upgrades – Benetook and Red Cliffs Depots.
Councillor for Environmental and Sustainability Jodi Ewings welcomed the funding, which will cut Council's greenhouse emissions by up to 747 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year.
"This major funding boost will help us continue the strong progress we've already made towards reaching our target of all-electric buildings and facilities powered by 100% renewable energy by 2030," Cr Ewings said.
"It will also help us reach our target of a zero-emissions light fleet by the same year."
The Australian Government's Community Energy Upgrades Fund Program aims to help Australia meets its emission reduction targets of 43% by 2030, net zero emissions by 2050 and support 82% renewable electricity generation by 2030."
