Climate Change Projects Get $10 Million Boost In Australia
Small projects will be able to have a big impact on climate change thanks to $10 million made available through the Brumby Government’s $23 million Climate Communities Program.
Announcing the opening round of funding for the program today at Flowerdale, Premier John Brumby said the Victorian Government was committed to assisting grass roots community efforts meet the challenges of climate change.
“The $10 million for the Climate Communities program will help bring about real and positive outcomes that will help ensure Victoria has a sustainable future,” Mr Brumby said.
“Climate change is one of the most serious issues facing us all which is why it is important all sections of the community are empowered to meet the climate change challenges we will face.
“This program is designed specifically to assist climate change projects undertaken by community groups in Victoria. It recognises the important contribution these groups have as well as the role Government must play in partnership with them.
“I encourage community groups to work with local networks – including councils, business, schools and service groups – to identify practical sustainable local projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Mr Brumby said projects may include retrofitting a community hall to reduce energy use, establishing a shared transport scheme such as a bike hire cooperative or introducing an energy cooperative to trial a new clean technology.
The Climate Communities Grants program will consider new projects that meet one or more of the key objectives:
• Reduce emissions;
• Build community resilience by adaptation to climate change; and
• Trial and/or promote new processes or technologies to help tackle climate change.
The Climate Communities Grants Program will be allocated $6 million to fund projects for communities with grants of up to $50,000. The remaining $4 million be used to provide expert advice, research and information through 9 Climate Communities facilitators who will be located across Victoria and to provide state-wide education and support programs.
While in Flowerdale, the Mr Brumby also announced the fourth round of the Sustainability Fund grants totalling $4.2 million which included a $100,000 grant to a Flowerdale project Green Cross Australia to develop a web resource to support the rebuilding of homes for local residents and others in bushfire-affected communities.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the Climate Communities program will give new impetus to what has been achieved by the Sustainability Fund, with the current Sustainability Fund grants round to become part of Climate Communities.
“The 39 projects supported through this round of Sustainability Fund grants will see such projects as aged care facilities in Shepparton powered with renewable energy, development of sustainable living programs specifically for small towns and farming communities in Victoria’s west as well as trialling new energy saving down lights in 250 Victorian homes” Mr Jennings said.
“The Sustainability Fund grants also includes $1.1 million for 11 projects that specifically help low income households to save energy and water.”
Since 2004, the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Fund has provided $61.3 million in funding to support 166 diverse projects in schools, businesses, local government and community groups.
Mr Jennings said the important initiatives are an example of the Victorian Government’s commitment to working in partnership with Victorians to tackle climate change in a practical way.
“Climate change is a shared responsibility. Climate Communities is all about working with those local groups and communities who want to make a difference in their own life and in their own way,” he said.
The Climate Communities program will be administered through Sustainability Victoria and be supported by nine regional facilitators who will provide necessary support for community group.
From today local communities wanting to take action and who want to know more about how to receive grants funding from the Climate Communities grants program, visit
www.climatecommunities.vic.gov.au/grants.
Topics: 2010, agriculture, Australia, Brumby Labor Government, bushfire affected communities, business, clean energy, clean energy technology, climate change, Climate Communities Program, conservation, councils, education, emissions, energy, energy cooperative, environment, farming, farms, Flowerdale, Gavin Jennings, Governance, government, grass roots community efforts, Green Cross Australia, greenhouse gas, investment, moniter, monitor, news, renewable energy, research, schools, service groups, small projects, sustainability, Sustainability Fund, Victoria
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