Victorian government empowers agribusinesses through multi-million grants

State targets the industry to become more 'energy efficient'

Victorian government empowers agribusinesses through multi-million grants

The Victorian government had recently announced its push toward agriculture businesses to improve their sustainability and productivity by adapting “more energy efficient” systems.

In a media release, the state said that through its Agriculture Energy Investment Plan (AEIP), free on-site energy assessments had been done since 2018. The state has also coupled the plan with a grants program and research for energy-efficient technology.

With such efforts, the AEIP has already provided over 1,300 free energy assessments and 650 grants worth more than $38 million. This investment has also guided employers to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"We're helping Victorian families, businesses and farms cut their energy bills by embracing sustainability and new energy bills technologies - cutting the cost of living as we reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030," Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said.

“This program is such a great initiative - it supports businesses to become more climate-resilient and productive, which is good for local jobs and our local economy,” Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said.

To confirm that the state’s plan is effective and competent, Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas recently visited one of the businesses that received the government’s grant. Austong International, a poultry farm in Lang Lang, has received around $29,000 through the AEIP.

The business has used the grant to upgrade a refrigeration system for its business, where they produce supply products to supermarkets. “The new system is expected to generate over $6,000 energy savings per annum,” the state announced.

The AEIP is part of Victoria’s strategy to build “a more resilient, energy efficient and internationally competitive sector that is well-placed to respond to climate change.”

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