Federal Minister for Social Services and Pearce MHR Christian Porter encouraged WA local governments to adopt clean energy to reduce emissions and utility costs and said councils could apply for funding under the new LGFP.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation $250 million loan package offers fixed-rate, long-term finance for major investment projects with the potential to significantly reduce a council’s energy consumption.
The only stipulation is projects need to be worth at least $10 million, whether in a single project or a package.
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Mayor Barry Sammels said when considering finance to assist in building new facilities it reviewed interest rates from banks and WA Treasury to ensure the most competitive rates were obtained.
“The City will also ensure the Clean Energy Finance Corporation LGFP is included in the review process,” he said.
The City has embraced solar and renewable energy in new infrastructure, and installing it on existing buildings.
Mary Davies Library and Community Centre in Baldivis had $90,000 worth of solar panels included in its construction, which saved the City $40,150 in energy costs in its first year. It would result in the original outlay being recouped in savings in slightly more than two years.
More than $154,000 worth of solar panels are on the City’s administration building saving the City about $47,450 annually, and $45,185 was spent installing solar at the Autumn Centre, which results in $18,250 in annual power savings.
Other renewable energy installations included Churchill Park toilets, Lark Hill, Aqua Jetty, totalling about $140,000 but resulting in annual power savings of $48,589.
Challenger Court was partially funded through government grants, with the remaining cost of $36,500 met by the council, with annual power savings of $45,600.