The Federal Liberal National Government is delivering on its election commitment to help dairy farmers lower their power bills and play their part in helping to reduce Australia’s emissions.

From this week dairy farmers across Australia can apply for grants that will support them to make their energy use more efficient and to reduce their power bills through the Government’s Energy Efficient Communities program.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan welcomed the grant program officially kicked off by the Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud and Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor on Monday.

“These grants will provide financial support at a time when many dairy producers could use some assistance,” Mr Conaghan said.

“The energy needed for use in milk cooling, milk harvesting and hot water production is one of the highest overheads in the dairy industry – it can cost dairy farmers anywhere up to $12,800 per 100 cows each year.

“Our Government values dairy farmers as they are an important part in our regional economies and are vital for our nation’s food security.

“Dairy farmers have been in a price squeeze from an imbalanced market for a long time, but it is finally being rectified through the mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct which saw dairy processors publish relevant contractual documents on their websites from 1 June.

“This Energy Efficient Communities Program will go a way towards helping as well by putting more money back in their pockets.”

The Energy Efficient Communities Program was announced as part of the Government’s Climate Solutions Package in the 2019 Federal Budget. A total of $10 million has been made specifically available for the dairy round.

To ensure an equitable distribution across dairying regions, funding will be available in each state in proportion to the number of dairy farms.

Grant guidelines and application forms for the dairy round are available at business.gov.au, or by calling 13 28 46. Applications close on 17 August 2020.