Joint media release

The Federal Liberal Nationals Government has delivered on an election commitment to help small businesses and dairy farmers lower their power bills and help to reduce Australia’s emissions.

Three small businesses and 10 local dairy farmers have shared in grants totalling $225,355 through the Energy Efficient Communities program.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan welcomed the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction and the Minister for Small and Family Business awarding the grants to provide another practical step in the Government’s $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package.

“These grants provide a welcome investment in some of our hard-working small and family businesses and comes at the perfect time to provide a boost after a challenging year,” he said.

“Improvements to refrigeration, lighting, milk harvesting, cooling and hot water production will be made at all of these businesses premises to reduce their power bills over the long term.”

The Energy Efficient Communities Program provided a total of $10 million for the dairy grant round and $9 million for the small businesses grant round.

Successful small businesses are Black Bear Café in Bellingen, Bellingen Providor and the Hat Head Bowling and Recreation Club. The successful dairy farmers were from Bowraville, Fernmount, Yarravel, Pola Creek, Dorrigo, Buckra Bendinni, Raleigh, Belmore River and Dorrigo.

Byron and Breana Vinecombe, who have operated Black Bear Café at Bellingen for seven years, said the installation of an energy efficient commercial fridge would help to reduce their business costs.

“The new four door fridge will improve efficiency with getting meals out to customers, assisting in the preparation of meals and significantly reduce maintenance costs,” Ms Vinecombe said.

Dorrigo dairy farmer Julie Moore, pictured right, said the $20,000 grant would enable her family to install an energy efficient water heater.

“Our farm is out towards Ebor and we don’t see enough sun to be able to take advantage of solar energy,” Mrs Moore said.

“So we are chuffed we have been successful with this grant because the new heat exchanger will take the heat from the milk cooler and reuse it to heat the hot water, resulting in less power use.”

The Energy Efficient Communities Program forms part of the Australian Government’s $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package and it helps to achieve Australia’s 2030 climate commitments.

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said bringing down the cost of energy for small businesses was a goal for the Morrison-McCormack Government.

“Energy bills are a significant overhead for many small businesses,” he said.

“These grants will help small businesses all around Australia pay less on their energy bills, allowing them keep their doors open, expand their business and employ more Australians.”

Media Contacts:

Mr Taylor – Liam O’Neil 0428 113 617

Mr Conaghan – Liz Spry 0418 928 744