24 Mar 2022
Community groups to be powered in Mayo │ Adelaide Hills Herald
By ALEXANDRA BULL
Three local projects in the Mayo community have received grant funding as part of the Powering Communities Program that will enable not-for-profit groups to cut their power bills and carbon emissions while supporting local jobs.
The Callington Recreation Park, Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall and Stirling Community Theatre Management Committee will receive a combined total of $23,902 to help them increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
Callington Recreation Park received $6,000 to go towards a solar energy system for the new Callington Recreation Community Centre, Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall received $8,172 for solar electricity installation and the Stirling Community Theatre Management Committee have been granted $9,730 to go towards a lighting upgrade.
Senator for South Australia Andrew McLachlan said the funding was an important way to help local community groups reduce their carbon footprint and
energy bills.
“Energy bills are often one of the biggest overheads for volunteer organisations and these grants will be a welcome boost,” Andrew said.
“This funding will help ensure these groups can continue their fantastic community work and importantly, the money is directed to support practical measures which will reduce their carbon footprint.
“We must all find ways to reduce our impact on the natural environment and encourage an uptake in climate-friendly technologies, and in this way, we can all work towards cutting carbon emissions.
“Programs such as this highlight the important role we can all play as environmental stewards of the natural world to preserve our planet for the benefit of those who will come after us.”
Applications for grants under the program opened in March 2021, and each federal MP, with the assistance of a committee representing the local community, nominated projects and invited groups to apply for grant funding.
The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources selected the successful applicants after considering applications for eligibility and completeness.