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22 September 2021
The entire September 22, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
East Grampians Health Service’s Ararat campus is set to benefit from the installation of solar-power units as a result of the State Government’s Building Works package.
Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced funding for the project, which will be part of a partnership with Ballarat Renewable Energy And Zero Emissions, BREAZE.
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The $650,000 384-solar-panel project involves installation of a 176.6-kilowatt system on the roof of a new car park to generate energy for the health service while reducing the organisation’s carbon emissions.
Work will also transform the visitor car park, providing shade and weather protection for visitors.
East Grampians Health Service buildings are already home to 936 solar panels, courtesy of a bequest from the estate of the late Joe Kapp.
The project shares $1.1-million in funding with eight completed western Victoria solar-power projects, most of them in Ballarat.
Construction will start in October and take about four months to complete.
Interim chief executive Peter Armstrong said the health service was thrilled to partner with the government and BREAZE for the project.
“We are extremely proud of this solar project and our overall move to becoming more sustainable,” he said.
“The added bonus is the solar project will reduce our energy costs now and into the future.
“The undercover parking will also provide shelter from inclement weather and extremes of heat for our community, particularly our patients and visitors to the health service.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said she was thrilled to be investing in projects that empowered community organisations.
“They help us meet our ambitious emissions reduction targets and create jobs,” she said.
“Our investment in renewable energy is allowing organisations to take charge of their energy consumption and direct the savings back to the community to help reduce power bills.”
Labor Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said it was wonderful to see so many regional organisations benefiting from a program that helped them reduce costs and tackle climate change.
