AusNet has announced a distribution of $2.4 million to thirteen councils and community groups as part of its latest round of funding through the Energy Resilience Community Fund Major Grants. This initiative aims to bolster long-term energy resilience within communities and assist them in recovering from severe weather events.
Andrew Linnie, Executive General Manager Distribution at AusNet, noted that the Energy Resilience Community Fund was established to support projects designed to enhance community energy resilience, ensuring that residents remain connected and secure during power outages and emergencies.
Details of Grant Recipients
The thirteen successful recipients of the funding include:
Baw Baw Shire Council: awarded $75,053 to upgrade five remote community halls, allowing them to connect with mobile generators.
Casey City Council: received $63,372 to enhance three sporting pavilions with shower and power hubs, enabling them to function as emergency relief centres.
Mansfield Shire Council: allocated $78,647 to install generator, solar, and battery systems at the Community Hall and Woods Point Museum, turning them into emergency relief centres.
Nillumbik Shire Council’s Community Hub: secured $265,000 to invest in a new generator, battery, and switchboard, expand their solar PV, and provide connection points for mobile generators.
The South Gippsland region collectively received $514,967, distributed among three recipients:
Kongwak Public Hall: received $94,769 for a generator and Starlink technology, enabling the hall to serve as an emergency relief centre.
Mirboo Country Development: granted $146,548 to improve electrical infrastructure by installing changeover switches, allowing critical businesses to connect to generators.
South Gippsland Shire Council: awarded $273,650 for an emergency community response vehicle, generator trailer, and two Starlink units.
Strathbogie Shire Council: received $130,190 to purchase a 160kVA generator and necessary infrastructure for a shower and power hub, alongside meeting rooms for an emergency relief centre.
The Wellington Shire region garnered a total of $978,285 across three projects:
Cowwarr Football Netball Club: awarded $160,000 for solar upgrades, a battery, and a three-phase inverter, enabling operations as an emergency relief centre.
Seaspray Surf Lifesaving Club: secured $302,385 to set up a solar PV and battery energy storage system.
Wellington Shire Council: received $246,000 to implement emergency power solutions at various sites in Sale and Yarram, also funding generators and infrastructure upgrades.
Yarram Neighbourhood House: granted $270,000 for generators and connections at multiple locations, including a service station, ensuring community access to food and fuel during emergencies.
Furthermore, in the Yarra Ranges Shire, the Millgrove Residents Action Group was awarded $277,115 to install solar PV, battery storage, and an inverter for community facilities at Millwarra Primary School and Millwarra Community Hall.
A Commitment to Resilience
AusNet established the $12 million Energy Resilience Community Fund in response to the storms that occurred in February 2023. This initiative aims to support projects across the AusNet electricity distribution network, which encompasses eastern and north-eastern Victoria, as well as Melbourne’s northern and eastern suburbs.