The Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Hon. Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Hon. Kate Thwaites MP, Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
Matt Smith MP, Member for Leichhardt
Batteries to store excess solar at sporting fields, more EV charging and the community pool going electric are just some of the projects the Albanese Government is backing with its $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund.
Whether it's the neighbourhood sports club, the community hall, the local pool or library, local government brings us together and keeps us thriving. The Albanese Government is working with councils, so they can save on their bills and invest more into their communities.
In the second round of the fund 66 local governments across Australia will receive $50 million in grants, empowering them to bring down their energy bills for good through energy efficiency and electrification upgrades to community facilities.
In Queensland, 12 councils will share in $4.3 million to upgrade much loved community facilities with energy-efficient technology, with benefits to be enjoyed by communities from Toowoomba to Pormpuraaw.
Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith, will visit Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council to announce a grant of $256,735 to install solar panels on council residential properties. This upgrade will reduce costs for staff and other residents while feeding excess energy back into the grid, reducing impact on Traditional land.
Toowoomba's Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre will replace gas-fired heating systems with high-efficiency electric heat pumps, supported by an energy system redesign and rooftop solar PV. The measures will significantly lower energy bills and emissions at the Toowoomba Regional Council facility, paving the way to its full decarbonisation.
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council east of Cairns will replace non-operational solar PV systems on key Council-owned buildings with modern, high-efficiency panels. Part of the Yarrabah Microgrid, a community-led plan to strengthen energy resilience and reduce emissions, the upgrades will target commercial buildings to cut energy costs and support clean energy jobs in the remote community.
Almost all projects include solar panels and over half will include battery storage systems.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen:
"Generations of Australians have enjoyed and benefitted from facilities in the local community, and with this latest round of funding from the Albanese Government, we are ensuring that these facilities can invest more into their work for their local communities.
"From the local cricket ground, story time at the library, and diving into the local pool at the height of summer, these upgrades will deliver a cheaper, cleaner energy future for Australia - it's further proof that what's good for the planet is good for the pocket."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson:
"We are investing in a cheaper, cleaner energy future for every Australian.
"This program will see benefits for public facilities like local swimming pools where gas boilers will be replaced with electric alternatives to reduce energy use, cut emissions, and help local governments reduce their running costs."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, Kate Thwaites:
"Local governments are on the front line of climate impacts, from floods to heatwaves. By investing in clean energy, we're helping them build resilience and keep their communities strong."
"Whether it's a pool, a library or a sports ground, these projects show how practical climate action can save money today and protect communities for the future."
"The Albanese Government is making sure every community has the tools to adapt and thrive as we transition to cleaner, cheaper energy."
Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith MP:
"This investment in renewable energy will reduce reliance on diesel generators, lower costs for rate payers and provide power for both houses and major community infrastructure in communities on the cape and the Torres Strait.
The future of energy is renewable no matter where you are in Australia and I am so proud that our region will be able to benefit."
BACKGROUND - LIST OF QLD PROJECTS
| Council | Project Details | Grant amount ($) |
| Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council | Empower Yarrabah Microgrid - Commercial Solar Phase This project will replace aged solar systems on key Council-owned buildings in Yarrabah with modern, high-efficiency systems designed to offset around 40% of each site's annual energy use, cutting energy costs. |
425,000 |
| Bulloo Shire Council | Bulloo Shire Solar and Energy Automation Initiative The council will install behind-the-meter rooftop solar systems at three local government sites including the SES/Fire Brigade Shed, reducing energy costs for the Council by increasing renewable energy uptake. By integrating automated timers and smart controls, Council will take full advantage of free solar power during the day. |
25,551 |
| Burke Shire Council | Burketown Solar Upgrade - Water and Sewerage Treatment Plants The council will install solar panels and battery storage, estimated to cut their electricity costs by almost 50%. |
84,331 |
| Cloncurry Shire Council | Cloncurry Solar Power Project The Shire will install two solar systems at the Community Precinct Building and Cloncurry Airport, delivering more than $17,000 in savings every year. |
85,600 |
| Cook Shire Council | Energy Efficiency and Resilience Upgrades for Cook Shire The Council will install two solar systems at community facilities - Cooktown Events Centre and Bloomfield Hall to reduce emissions and electricity costs, while improving resilience following natural disasters. |
306,078 |
| Flinders Shire Council | Green Energy Flinders The Council will install solar systems across seven facilities, including the Hughenden Centre for the Aged, cutting annual energy costs by $100,000. |
257,027 |
| Noosa Shire Council | Noosa Shire energy resilience and renewable transition upgrades The Council will upgrade solar and battery installations and install a 'behind the meter' solar and battery system at the Resource Recovery Centre, enabling them to save an estimated $50,000 per year. |
1,027,367 |
| Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council | Back to the Grid Solar installation on council residential properties. Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council will install solar panels on council residential properties, reducing costs while feeding excess energy back into the grid, reducing impact on Traditional land. |
256,735 |
| Quilpie Shire Council | Quilpie Community Energy Upgrade Project Quilpie Shire Council will install smart solar systems at three council buildings including Quilpie pool, taking advantage of free solar power to power lights and hot water at peak times. |
77,081 |
| South Burnett Regional Council | South Burnett Community Energy Upgrade Project The council will install solar panels at six council-owned sites and deliver efficiency upgrades, reducing their emissions and cutting their power bills every year. |
243,726 |
| Toowoomba Regional Council | Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre Electrification Project This grant will enable the council to replace existing gas heating systems with electric heat pumps, supported by a rooftop solar system, making the use of solar power during the day and cutting council energy bills for good. |
1,083,907 |
| Torres Shire Council | Diesel to Daylight: Torres Shire Council's Clean Energy Transition Torres Shire Council will install solar energy systems on three high-use Council facilities: the Thursday Island Works Depot, the Thursday Island Sports Stadium, and the Horn Island Sports Stadium cutting bills for good, improving resilience and cutting emissions. |
447,331 |
