The Premier, John Brumby, today announced $15 million towards a new Local Government Climate Communities program to drive new projects to tackle climate change, including upgrading streetlights with low-carbon alternatives across Victoria.
Addressing the Local Government Climate Change Summit in Bendigo, Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government would create a dedicated Local Government stream of the Climate Communities program.
The program will provide grants of up to $500,000 towards projects that demonstrate emissions reduction or help communities adapt to climate change.
“Together with communities, our Government is rising to the challenge of tackling climate change to lock-in a prosperous and sustainable future for Victorian families,” Mr Brumby said
“Our Government’s disciplined economic management means Victoria is in a position to lead the country in tackling climate change and lock in our sustainability for the future.
“This new program will support local governments across Victoria to drive new projects that help their local communities address the challenge of climate change at a local level.
“We believe that this package will help local government to cut emissions, reduce energy bills for council which will have a positive flow-on effect to communities.”
Local councils will be encouraged to apply for Local Government Climate Communities grants for a broad range of initiatives directed at climate change which could include the upgrading of public streetlights with low-carbon lighting.
The Government will also work with Victorian electricity distribution businesses to make it easier for individual councils to procure the upgrade of public street lighting and to ensure competitiveness in the tender process.
Local government will be exempt from the public tender requirements of the Local Government Act 1989 in relation to non-contestable works and services associated with the upgrade of public street lights where that service can only be provided by an electricity distribution business.
The Government will assist individual councils, where requested, to help them prepare business cases to ensure the best value for money in delivering lighting upgrade projects.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the Government was rising to the challenge of climate change and supporting new initiatives to cut emissions.
“In July our Government released its climate change white paper, Taking Action for Victoria’s Future, which identified the state’s emissions reduction targets and ways to encourage investment in renewable and low-emissions energy,” Mr Jennings said.
The Victorian Government will deliver $15 million for the Local Government Climate Communities over three years from 2012.
