The City of Greater Geelong has announced $100 000 in funding for the inaugural round of the Climate Change Partnerships grants.
The funding includes a $50 000 grant to 100% Clean Bellarine for a pilot program to promote renewable energy to around 50 commercial and industrial businesses in Ocean Grove.
100% Clean Bellarine will be assisting and supporting businesses in partnership with BOOM Power to perform energy assessments providing a tailored approach to installing rooftop solar or replacing gas hot water heating and cooling with more efficient electric options.
The report will explain the financial costs and savings potential upgrades to equipment and environmental benefits of switching to renewable energy.
Geelong Sustainability Group has also been awarded a $50 000 grant for a community engagement program on the benefits of all-electric zero emissions homes. The program will support residents to switch away from fossil fuels and increase their home’s energy efficiency.
The group is also looking to deliver a participant only discount purchasing program that will allow residents to easily connect with trusted local installers to upgrade their homes to become all-electric and reduce their carbon footprint.
Separately the Geelong Sustainability Group has also been awarded a $10 000 Environmental Sustainability Capital Works grant towards its community education programs.
The grants are amongst 118 projects to receive funding through Council’s $4.46 million 2022-23 Community Grants program.
The City thanks the members of the independent Community Assessment Panel for their time and effort in considering the grant applications.
A full list of recipients for this initial group of 2022-23 Community Grants is available here.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
These grants show the City is working in partnership with the community towards urgent action on climate change. Commercial buildings are a major contributor to the city’s greenhouse gas emissions so it’s important we work with business owners to reduce their energy costs and their carbon emissions.
Councillor Belinda Moloney Chair of the Climate Change Action portfolio
Both these projects will provide practical steps for switching to renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency. In many cases residents and business owners want to support the roll-out of renewable energy and environmentally-beneficial programs they just need support and information to kickstart making the change.
Karen Weaver from 100% Clean Bellarine
We all have a role to play in addressing the climate emergency and this pilot project will help businesses make the switch to renewables. Every small business that switches to renewable energy helps reduce the greenhouse gas emissions profile across Greater Geelong. If successful there’s potential for the program to be scaled up and applied to other industrial and commercial businesses across the municipality.