OATLANDS RSL and Community Club is one of eight community groups across the state to be the first to receive Federal Government grants to buy and install renewable energy systems.

The Oatlands Club will receive $21,983.50 from the Federal Government Solar Towns Program set up as an election commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions nationally.

Federal Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson announced the funding during a visit to the RSL and Community Club this morning.

The other recipients in the Lyons electorate of first round funding are communities at Bagdad, Bicheno, Gagebrook, New Norfolk, Nubeena, Sorell and St Helens.

Mr Hutchinson said that the funding will give communities an opportunity to engage at a local level with clean renewable energy, improve local environments and generate a sense of community ownership and self-reliance.

Oatlands RSL will use the $21,983 to install a 12.5kW solar panel system on its clubrooms, at Oatlands.

Funding for the seven other recipients will be:
Bagdad Community Club, $20,000; Bicheno Golf Club, $13,529.73; Gagebrook Community Centre, $19,858.23; New Norfolk Football Club, $19,998; Nubeena community, $18,030.91; Sorell Council, $18,181.82 and St Helens Healthy House, $19,700.

Mr Hutchinson said that grants for this first round of Solar Towns funding was capped at $20,000 with total funding for the eight Tasmanian projects adding up to more than $150,000.

He urged other community groups to apply for financial help to buy and install solar panels, hot water systems or heat pump hot water systems from this and future funding rounds.

Nearly $2.1 million will be made available through the program from 2014-15 to 2016-17 to help with the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems in selected regions nationally.

Mr Hutchinson said that this round of grants will close on February 20, next year and further calls for applications in other regions will be made next year.

“I strongly encourage community groups such as sports clubs, service clubs and community health services to consider making an application.’’

Further information about the program including guidelines and how to apply is available at www.environment.gov.au/solar-towns

Federal Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson