Residents living in Geelong’s Multicultural Aged Care Centre Services (MACS) will soon have access to cheaper energy, thanks to a 520-panel solar project funded by the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio joined Member for Geelong Christine Couzens to open the project, which will reduce MACS’s operating costs.

The Labor Government provided $188,000 to Geelong Sustainability Group for the project, with more than $150,000 raised by the local community.

The funding was provided through the Labor Government’s New Energy Jobs Fund, which has already awarded more than $12.6 million to 45 projects.

Minister D’Ambrosio also announced that Geelong Sustainability Group will receive $300,000 for its Climate Safe Rooms project.

This initiative will provide 20 vulnerable households in the Geelong area with energy-efficiency upgrades to make their homes comfortable during the temperature extremes of summer and winter.

The rooms will be fully insulated and draught-proofed with high efficiency air-conditioning and a small solar system to offset running costs.

Geelong Sustainability Group will work with the City of Greater Geelong, Kildonan Uniting Care and EcoMaster to create the safe havens in the homes of people most at risk of serious illness or death from climate extremes.

The City of Greater Geelong’s Community Care department will identify 20 of the most vulnerable households to receive the free home energy audit and retrofit package.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“This project highlights the potential for community-owned solar to help drive Victoria’s transition to renewable energy.”

“The Climate Safe Rooms project is another fantastic initiative that will help protect some of our most vulnerable from extreme weather.”

Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens

“Geelong Sustainability Group is part of a broad network of businesses, community groups and individuals which are doing great work to reduce the impact of climate change.”