Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction and Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has congratulated two community groups in Hume that have been awarded a grant under the Federal Government’s Energy Efficient Communities Program.

The Scout Association of Australia NSW Branch will receive $22,728 to install solar panels at both the Bargo Scout Hall and Cataract Scout Hall.

• The Scout Association of Australia New South Wales Branch (Bargo Scout Hall) 11,364 
• The Scout Association of Australia New South Wales Branch (Cataract Scout Park) 11,364

Mr Taylor said he was pleased to provide support for two energy-saving projects in Hume.

“Energy bills are one of the biggest overheads for volunteer organisations, and we want to help ease some of the financial pressures facing our hardworking community groups, particularly at this time,” Mr Taylor said.

“The more that community groups can save on running costs, the more they can spend to support their communities.”

Across Australia, not-for-profit community groups have been awarded grants of up to $12,500 for energy-saving projects under the program.

The Energy Efficient Communities Program was announced as part of the Government’s Climate Solutions Package in the 2019 Budget.

The program will deliver grants to help businesses and community organisations to improve energy efficiency practices and technologies, and better manage energy consumption to reduce their power bills.

In addition to grants for community organisations, the program will provide $10 million for dairy farming businesses, $9 million for small businesses and $15 million for high energy-using businesses. 

Applications are now open for the dairy and small business round. Further information on the Energy Efficient Communities Program is available at energy.gov.au. Businesses that wish to apply for a grant can access the guidelines and application forms at business.gov.au or by telephone on 13 28 46.