The program is dedicated to assisting small businesses in upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances, providing significant rebates that in some cases may cover up to 100 per cent of the full equipment and installation cost.
Operating in partnership with Indigo Power, Goulburn Valley Community Energy is working to assist local businesses within the Hume region with any queries and further information.
GVCE is a not-for-profit company run by a volunteer board of directors, all committed to promoting community action to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Kyabram local in the voluntary board of directors of GVCE Doug Small said the initiative was one highly beneficial for businesses in the area.
“It offers enormous savings in energy consumption for the business, which also means great savings in expenses too,” Mr Small said.
“The best thing about this is that businesses don’t have to outlay a lot of their own capital to do it, because of the generosity of the grant.
“That’s what’s making it possible, the grant. I guess people can be wary if things look too good to be true, but in this case it really is.”
The program offers a bonus payment of up to $2200 to upgrade to a new energy efficient air-conditioner, commercial refrigerators (including display cabinets and cool rooms), plus hot water appliances.
The total rebates can then be in excess of $4000 for some products based on how much energy the business will save once decommissioning the old appliance.
Flourish on McLennan owner Michelle Banfield received a new display fridge as part of the program, a process she found “really easy”.
“I registered and was sent some information and saw we fit the criteria, so I applied,” she said.
“I didn’t end up paying anything for the fridge, I just about almost fell over.
“From a business point of view you think, ‘I’m too busy at the moment, I’ll have to go through a million papers’, but it was a really easy process to complete.”
To be eligible, the small business must have one to 19 paid employees at a full-time equivalent, and operate from a commercial, non-residential premises.
Authorisation must be gained for installation activities if the small business operates from a rented or leased premises.
This program is not available for accommodation businesses or for primary producers in agriculture.
The program is expected to run for a few more months or until the funding allocation is fully exhausted.
Full program guidelines are available at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/small-business-energy-saver
If you would like to have a chat to GVCE about a small business located in Hume Region, register your interest at www.gvce.com.au/sb
