Victorian farms, dairies and food manufacturers reliant on expensive, polluting gas will soon be able to go all-electric under a new $15 million program announced by the Victorian Government today-with funding secured through recent Budget negotiations with the Victorian Greens.
The projects were proposed by and secured by Victorian Greens Leader Ellen Sandell as part of recent Budget negotiations with the Greens, who have balance-of-power in the Upper House.
The funding includes:
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$10 million for food, dairy and beverage manufacturers to replace gas boilers and heating systems with electric alternatives-based on a successful project in Aotearoa NZ with the Fonterra dairy co-operative, created and administered by Greens Climate Change Minister James Shaw under the Greens-Labor government.
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$5 million to help farmers switch to electric heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage-drawing on NZ's Rewiring Aotearoa initiative, also delivered by the Greens in Government in NZ.
This forms part of a broader $40+ million climate and electrification package secured by the Greens through balance-of-power negotiations with the State Government over their recent Budget and tax bills. The programs aim to demonstrate that electrification can cut emissions and save farmers and manufacturers thousands in gas costs.
Ms Sandell said the initiative kickstarts the transition to clean energy in sectors still heavily reliant on gas and showcases the power of having Greens in Parliament delivering real climate solutions.
The funding is expected to electrify 5-10 food manufacturing sites and at least 20 farms initially, laying the groundwork for broader sector-wide uptake.
As stated by the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:
"The Greens are proud to have negotiated this innovative $15 million climate project to help farms and food manufacturers get off gas and go all-electric, saving huge amounts of emissions and saving thousands off farmers' energy bills.
"We hope that this funding, which the Greens negotiated in balance-of-power with the Victorian Government, will show that industry can save money by moving away from polluting, expensive gas and kick-start a revolution in electrification across agriculture.
"This funding shows the power of having Greens in balance-of-power in Parliament, delivering real solutions to the climate crisis."
