Work is set to begin on the Pomonal Community Hall Battery Project, a $123,176 investment that will provide backup power and support local energy resilience for the Pomonal community.
The scheduled installation dates are Monday 15th June - Wednesday 17th June and the Pomonal Community Hall managers have been notified accordingly. We look forward to working with them on this exciting project.
The Project will be delivered in partnership with community energy provider Indigo Power and supported through the Victorian Government's 100 Neighbourhood Batteries grants program. The project is being funded as part of a joint initiative led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance in partnership with 10 councils across regional Victoria.
The project will see a community-scale battery installed at Pomonal Community Hall to store locally generated solar energy and provide backup power during outages, helping keep the hall available as a gathering point for residents in emergencies and community events.
The energy backup system, comprising of a 24kW/64kWhbattery integrated with the existing 10kW solar PV battery is expected to provide up to two days' back-up power to the Pomonal Community Hall.
Mayor Cr Bob Sanders said the project was another positive step in Council's work to support practical, long-term solutions for local communities. "Pomonal knows all too well how important it is to have a safe place to come together when the power goes off, and this battery will help make sure the lights stay on at the heart of the township," Cr Sanders said. "We have listened to the community, we have worked alongside our partners, and we are now getting on with the job of delivering infrastructure that will make a real difference for Pomonal, today and into the future."
Indigo Power will lead the detailed design and installation of the battery system at Pomonal Community Hall, following earlier planning and engagement with the community. Once operational, the system is expected to reduce reliance on the broader electricity network and enhance energy security for the hall, particularly during extreme weather and bushfire events when reliable power is essential for local response and recovery efforts.
CVGA's CEO Annika Kearton shared that CVGA has been working with regional Victorian councils on feasibility investigations and business case development for energy resilience projects since 2021. "CVGA is excited to partner with Ararat Rural City Council to deliver this energy resilience project at Pomonal Community Hall," Annika Kearton said. "The Pomonal Community Hall Battery project shows what can be achieved when councils, community, and the Victorian Government work together effectively to deliver critical upgrades that increase resilience and reduce electricity costs for community groups."
The Pomonal Community Hall Battery Project forms part of Council's ongoing focus on improving community infrastructure, strengthening local preparedness, and supporting the transition to cleaner, smarter energy solutions across Ararat Rural City.
