The state government earlier this year provided $900,000 for three, two-year pilot Community Power Hubs in Bendigo, Ballarat and Latrobe Valley to support the development of community-owned renewable energy projects.

BSG will coordinate activity in the region and its president Chris Weir said: “It’s a real acknowledgement of the hard work and its future plans for community owned renewable energy projects in our region.”

The aim of the pilot Community Power Hubs (CPH) is to assist the community in accessing the skills and expertise required to develop and deliver community-based renewable energy projects.

Mr Weir said he was looking forward to working with the other hubs and assisting smaller communities around the region to develop their own projects.

Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio on Wednesday announced a new $3.4 million fund to help 22 regional resource-constrained councils upgrade their buildings and other community facilities by making them more energy efficient.

The City of Greater Bendigo will play a role in mentoring surrounding rural eligible councils undertaking energy efficiency upgrade projects through the $3.4 million Local Government Energy Saver fund.

The pilot hubs are expected to create jobs and help reduce energy bills.

The Pilot CPHs will serve to:

Grants of up to $110,000 a year over a period of two years are available for the delivery of each of the Pilot CPHs.

They will be directly supported by a Sustainability Victoria employee during their establishment and pilot development.

Each Community Power Hub will: