Council has secured $44,155 from the Victorian Government’s New Energy Jobs Fund to fund the installation of solar and battery power at two emergency relief and recovery centres in the Shire.
In addition to the grant funding, Council will contribute $44,155 to fully fund and deliver the project.
The project will have the installation of solar panels and a battery at the Haddon Recreation Centre and the installation of additional solar panels and a battery at The Well in Smythesdale.
Both the Haddon Recreation Centre and The Well are connected to the grid with no generators and are susceptible to power outages during extreme weather events.
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the funding was another step towards an environmentally sustainable future for Golden Plains.
Council welcomes the funding from the Victorian Government’s New Energy Jobs Fund to install solar and battery power at Haddon Recreation Centre in Haddon and The Well in Smythesdale.
The recent flood events have highlighted the need for this type of sustainable infrastructure to ensure Council’s facilities can continue to operate during a power outage.
Council is committed to do its part to mitigate, adapt and respond to climate change. These measures will not only assist during extreme weather events but will also lead to reduced emissions and cost savings at both centres.
Council adopted its Climate Emergency Plan 2022-2032 at its 25 October Council Meeting.
The Climate Emergency Plan provides context to the current and future impacts of climate change on Golden Plains Shire and will guide the work of Council to mitigate, adapt and respond to climate change in the Shire over the next 10 years.
Aligning to the relevant strategic objectives of the Council Plan 2021-2025, Golden Plains Community Vision 2040, and Council’s Environment Strategy 2019-2027, the Plan highlights the strong imperative for Council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
The adopted Climate Emergency Plan 2022-2032 can be viewed on Council’s website: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/strategies or a printed copy may be requested at Council’s Customer Service Centres, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
Installation of the solar panels and batteries will commence at both centres in early 2023.