IMPROVING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF HUNTER BUSINESSES
THE HON GREG COMBET AM MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Member for Charlton
THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Member for Hunter
SHARON GRIERSON MP
Member for Newcastle
JILL HALL MP
Member for Shortland
17 May 2012
Hunter Labor MPs Jill Hall, Sharon Grierson, Greg Combet and Joel Fitzgibbon have welcomed the Government’s investment of more than $1.5 million to improve the energy efficiency of small and medium businesses in the Hunter region.
The Hunter Business Chamber will receive $1,212,000 to implement the Energy Hunter – Our Clean Energy Future program. The program will include a range of cost saving information and learning tools to help businesses in the Hunter better manage their energy consumption and take steps to improve energy efficiency to save their business money.
The Business Growth Centre, based in Gateshead, will receive $353,792 for an energy efficiency and real-time monitoring program for businesses in the Lake Macquarie area. The funding will allow the centre to engage a local energy efficiency expert to provide tailored information on ways to improve energy efficiency and help save money.
“These grants are about giving small and medium enterprises the information they need to improve energy efficiency and save some money,” Member for Charlton, and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, said.
“The Hunter Business Chamber and the Business Growth Centre were among more than 200 organisations that applied for the first round of the Energy Efficiency Information Grants (EEIG) program.”
“This program is part of the Government’s Clean Energy Future package, so I am particularly pleased that this significant investment in energy efficiency is assisting local businesses.”
Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson, said businesses in the Hunter were well placed to benefit from moves toward better energy efficiency.
“Newcastle is already at the forefront of smart energy technologies, and these grants will ensure local businesses can maximise the opportunities that these energy efficiencies will provide,” Ms Grierson said.
Member for Shortland, Jill Hall, said she is proud of the Government’s support for Lake Macquarie businesses.
“Small and medium businesses and community groups face time and cost pressures, and they often don’t have the time, resources or information to find out about ways to save money by being more energy efficient,” Ms Hall said.
“Through these grants, the Business Growth Centre can now play an important role in helping Lake Macquarie businesses save money.”
Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon, said the Hunter Business Chamber would offer a valuable service to many small and medium businesses in the Hunter.
“I look forward to seeing the way the Chamber can help local businesses tap into tailored information to be more efficient, and save money,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
The $40 million EEIG program is part of the Government’s Clean Energy Future (CEF) package, with Round 1 delivering $20 million in grants across the country. Round 2 will be open in October.
Applications are assessed by an independent committee on value for money, project effectiveness and delivery, particularly focusing on the strength of the relationship between the grant recipient and their network.
The Government is providing additional support for small and medium businesses under the CEF package, including an extra $5 million to improve delivery of clean technology advice and other non-grant support programs.
On top of this, the Government is increasing the instant asset write off for small and medium businesses with turnover of less than $2 million to $6,500.