Community and non-profit groups across Farrer are set to be supported by a new Federal Government program to help lower energy costs.

According to local MP Sussan Ley the Powering Communities Program will fund up to a dozen individual projects in Farrer with grants of between $5,000 and $12,000 available to eligible organisations.

“The grants can assist groups to lower their power bills by installing solar panels or a storage battery, upgrading old air conditioners, hot water systems or a refrigerator – the money can even be used for replacing lighting with LEDs or conducting an energy audit.”

“Energy costs are often one of the biggest overheads for not-for-profit organisations, whether it’s a sports club, a senior citizens or charity group. By helping to reduce power bills, these grants will allow them to better focus on meeting the needs of their members and the community,” Ms Ley said.

Interested groups in Farrer will first need to submit an expression of interest to Ms Ley’s electorate office by Monday 31st May. Those applications will then be independently assessed, with only a selected number of organisations invited to officially apply for funding.

The Powering Communities Program provides each of Australia’s 151 Federal electorates with $67,700 to fund projects – further information including eligibility guidelines is available here.

Please carefully check the program criteria – if you would then like to submit an expression of interest (EOI) you can download here – alternately you can request an EOI via email or post by contacting our office.