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.
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 are outlined below:
Alpine Shire (1 project totalling $150,000)
YMCA Discovery Camps received $150,000 to install an off-grid transformer, Automatic Transfer Switch and 4kW of hydropower generation. This will make Howmans Gap into a community emergency hub in the remote alpine area near Falls Creek, where severe weather events and prolonged power outages are common. This funding will help maintain heating, lighting, communications, refrigeration and other critical services while providing a safe, powered gathering point for the community and emergency services.
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.
Benalla Rural City (1 project totalling $70,900)
Swanpool Memorial Hall received $70,900 for upgrades which will expand the existing solar and battery storage at the Hall, enabling it to operate as a community emergency hub. This funding will enable the Hall to provide power, communications support, device charging and kitchen facilities, heating and cooling, and a safe gathering point during emergency events and extended power outages.
East Gippsland Shire (1 project totalling $150,000)
Marlo Ocean Views Caravan Park received $150,000 for battery storage, additional solar, EV chargers, laundry capability and a generator. This funding will enable the caravan park to maintain power, communications, cooking, refrigeration, hot water, showers, laundry, accommodation and EV charging during power outages and emergency events.
Indigo Shire (1 project totalling $198,000)
Stanley Rural Community Inc received $198,000 to install a solar and battery system at the Recreation Reserve and a backup generator at the Stanley Hotel. The project will enable both sites to provide coordination, food, refrigeration, lighting, communications and a gathering space for the community during power outages and emergency events.
Murrindindi Shire (1 project totalling $113,000)
Murrindindi Shire Council received $113,000 to install an integrated solar, battery and generator-backed power system at Yea Saleyards. The project will enable up to three days of power for lighting, communications, amenities, water and animal welfare during power outages and emergency events.
South Gippsland Shire (4 projects totalling $287,571)
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.
Strathbogie Shire (1 project totalling $157,500)
Avenel Memorial Hall and Avenel Recreational Reserve received $157,500 to replace the battery and integrate existing solar panels and a generator at Avenel Memorial Hall. Solar panels, battery storage and a backup generator for the Avenel Recreation Reserve, a designated bushfire Safer Place, were also funded.
The upgrades will power wi-fi, lighting, cooking, medical equipment support, device charging and shelter during power outages and emergencies, supporting older residents, families, people with medical needs, emergency services, volunteers and pets.
Wangaratta Rural City (1 project totalling $73,000)
Boorhaman Community Emergency Power & Resilience Hub received $73,000 to install a backup generator, satellite communications and EV charger to create a shower and power hub for residents, surrounding farming properties and people reliant on powered medical or communications equipment. The Hub will provide lighting, shelter, refrigeration, hot water, device and EV charging, emergency coordination and a safe place to gather during power outages and emergencies.
Yarra Ranges Shire (2 projects totalling $186,925)
Benwerren Electrical Upgrade - Supporting Women and Children into the Future, received $65,230 to upgrade electrical systems and install a backup generator at Benwerren in Yarra Junction, enabling them to provide a safe place for families during periods of crisis and emergency events. This funding will strengthen energy resilience for the most vulnerable, providing safe refuge for hundreds of women and children each year.
Macclesfield Hall Disaster Support Hub received $121,695 to install a solar and battery system with generator backup to enable the Hall to operate during power outages and emergency events. The funding will enable the Hub to provide lighting, communications, food preparation, toilets, reticulated water, device charging and a safe space for the community.