Councillors from Kingston, Frankston, Dandenong and Bayside last Friday heard firsthand about the many opportunities available to them through the Gillard Government's Clean Energy Future plan.
Councillors from Kingston, Frankston, Dandenong and Bayside last Friday heard firsthand about the many opportunities available to them through the Gillard Government's Clean Energy Future plan.
"Many of the councils I spoke to have already implemented long term strategies to tackle the effects of climate change in order to protect community infrastructure and assets and are taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of their operations," Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus said.
"The Gillard Government is helping local government to do more - communities and councils will share in $10billion of new investment for clean energy through the Government's new Clean Energy Finance Corporation."
"The expanded Low Carbon Communities program will assist local government, communities and low income householders reduce their energy costs through energy efficiency upgrades."
"Low income householders will get assistance to better manage their energy use through the $100 million Low Income Energy Efficiency Program."
"Local councils and community organisations will also be able to apply for funding to make energy efficiency upgrades to council and community-use buildings through the $200 million Community Energy Efficiency program."
"The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) will provide a new revenue stream for councils and landfill operators who are able to lower carbon pollution from waste deposited before 1 July 2012."
"In addition to these new programs, councils have received funding for 13 projects across Australia through the Coastal Adaptation Decisions Pathways projects announced in June of this year. This initiative will see local governments work with utilities, industry and professional organisations on decision-making in coastal communities for adapting to climate change."
"The Government will continue to work closely with local government to ensure a clean energy future," Mr Dreyfus said.
For more information on the Clean Energy Future plan visit: http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/
For the Consultation papers on the Community Energy Efficiency Program and Low Income Energy Efficiency Program visit: www.climatechange.gov.au/lowcarboncommunities.
