Cape Paterson Surf Club goes solar with big Ausnet grant

FIFTEEN councils and community groups across Victoria will receive close to $1.7 million from the final round of Major Grants funding from AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund.

And the Cape Paterson Surf Lifesaving Club has been one of the luckiest, granted $150,000 to install solar, battery and a generator backup to keep surf lifesaving operations running during prolonged outages.

Other recipients in Bass Coast and South Gippsland include:

* Bass Coast Shire Council $143,650

* Korumburra Showgrounds received $72,980 

* Three Loch projects $74,248

* Mirboo North Football Netball Club $82,500

* Tarwin Lower Community Health Centre $57,843

AusNet Executive General Manager Distribution, Andrew Linnie, said the grants support community-led projects that build long-term resilience and provide practical support during outages and extreme weather events.

“These projects are important because they are shaped and delivered by communities themselves. Local councils, community organisations and volunteers know what they need and have turned that knowledge into practical solutions that keep people safe, connected and supported,” said Mr Linnie.

ERCF-funded projects are creating trusted local places and mobile solutions that keep lights on, phones charged, food and medicines refrigerated, communications available and essential services operating during prolonged power outages and emergency events.

"Grant funding backs local leadership with the infrastructure, education and preparedness communities need to look after each other before, during and after events,” he said.

Through the Energy Resilience Community Fund, AusNet has supported the creation of over 90 community resilience hubs, with many operational and ready for community use now and for future emergency events.

Recipients by Council area include the following:

Bass Coast Shire two grants

·        Bass Coast Shire (2 projects totalling $293,650). Bass Coast Shire Council received $143,650 to purchase and fit-out a mobile emergency response vehicle to strengthen energy resilience across Bass Coast communities. The vehicle will provide charging facilities and internet access during power outages and emergencies.

·        Cape Paterson Surf Lifesaving Club received $150,000 to install solar, battery and a generator backup to keep surf lifesaving operations, emergency communications, first aid services and community relief functions running during prolonged outages and emergency events. The clubhouse will operate as a ‘shower and power’ hub.

South Gippsland Shire two grants

·        Korumburra Showgrounds received $72,980 to fund the installation of a solar and battery backup system and secondary generator connection points at Korumburra Showgrounds to create a community emergency hub. This will enable the Korumburra Showgrounds to provide powered shelter, refrigeration, cooking, heating and cooling, communications, medical-device charging, caravan and RV sites, livestock holding, water, lighting and a base for emergency responders during power outages and emergencies.

·        Three community resilience projects in Loch received $74,248 to support their community emergency hubs. The funding will go towards solar and battery systems at Loch Memorial Reserve as well as portable batteries for Loch Public Hall and the Loch Village Post Office. This will enable all locations to provide communications, power, lighting, refrigeration, amenities, showers and a gathering space for emergency workers and community members during power outages and emergencies.

·        Mirboo North Football Netball Club received $82,500 to install upgraded solar panels and a large-scale battery system to provide back-up power. This will enable the Club to power floodlights, power communications and provide heating and essential facilities for the community during power outages and emergencies.

·        Tarwin Lower Community Health Centre received $57,843 to install solar PV, battery storage and undertake an electrical infrastructure upgrade, creating a community emergency hub. The project will help keep essential health services, vaccine refrigeration, communications, emergency coordination, showers, hygiene facilities, kitchen operations and device charging available during power outages and emergencies, supporting vulnerable residents across Tarwin Lower, Venus Bay and Walkerville.