If you are involved in a community group, now is your chance to get a solar PV system on your building paid for by the Federal Government. Grants of up to $20,000 per community building are available to eligible community groups in Mount Alexander Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire and Sunbury.
Groups need to be using a building which either they own, or is owned by a not-for-profit organisation. The deadline for applications is 12 February.
The Hub Foundation Castlemaine and the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group, with the support of Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group, have teamed up to help community groups apply for the grants. A total of $600,000 is available for the region.
Jo Kaptein, Project Officer at the Hub Foundation said: “This is an amazing opportunity for community groups to get solar on their building for free. As well as cutting bills, there’s a green windfall for the whole community. The grant will buy at least 2,000 panels. That’s going to save around 700 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, the same as 150 fewer cars.
Gerry Egan, Secretary at MASG said “We want to bring this grant program to the attention of community groups, because it would be a shame if there were insufficient applicants and some of the available grant money was not taken up. To be eligible, buildings must be owned by a not-for-profit group. Both the Hub Foundation and MASG are happy to help to determine your eligibility.”
Clare Hutchison, Administration Manager at Buda Historic Home and Garden said, “We’re excited to hear about this new initiative. Buda will definitely be applying and we recommend other community groups get on board as well.”
For more information visit www.mash.org.au. For assistance contact:
- Jo Kaptein at the Hub Foundation on 0455 589 065 | jo@hubfoundation.org.au (help with suppliers’ quotes)
- Gerry Egan, MASG on 0407 092 642 | gegan.castlemaine@gmail.com (help with eligiblity criteria and application form)