The Member for Barron River, Steve Wettenhall is encouraging local not-for-profit community organisations and sporting groups to apply to the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund for a solar grant.

To help local sporting and community groups make the switch to solar and save money on their electricity bills, the Bligh Government has asked the Gambling Community Benefit Fund to prioritise solar projects.

“I hope local not-for-profit sporting and community groups take advantage of the grants and join the local families already doing the bright thing in their homes,” said Mr Wettenhall.

“By switching to solar, sporting and community groups can make great savings on their electricity bills as well as help reduce carbon emissions.”

 “The Government is helping Barron River families switch to solar and save through our new Solar Hot Water Rebate.”

“We want to make sure not-for-profit community and sporting groups in Barron River can do the bright thing too.”

“I encourage local footy clubs, scout troops, local counselling services and church-run halls to think about whether switching to solar would help them reduce their running costs.”

“Our community organisations and sporting groups rely on electricity to provide important services and facilities to Barron River families each and every day.

“By installing solar PV panels or solar hot water systems, these local community groups will save money on electricity bills, allowing more funds to go to the important services and facilities they provide.”

Eligible sporting and community organisations can apply for grants to support the purchase and installation of 1.5 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and/or solar hot water systems.

Grants for solar PV systems and solar hot water systems will be available through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund via a competitive application process from 1 June.

Up to $3.3 million a year will be nominally allocated to community solar projects from the Fund over the next three years.

For more information about the Gambling Community Benefit Fund’s Funding Guidelines, visit the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulations (OLGR) website: www.olgr.qld.gov.au

ENDS

11 May 2010

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