A MITCHELL Shire not-for-profit group looking to address housing issues in a sustainable way has received a Federal Government grant to take on a project to help lower electricity bills.
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said it was fantastic to see Transition Village Wallan receive a grant of more than $11,000.
Transition Village Wallan is working on a project to build a village of tiny houses using sustainable living and design practices for people experiencing homelessness or battling to keep a roof over their heads in and around Wallan.
Committee member Skye Forster welcomed the funding.
“The grant is a key step in enabling us to meet the energy needs of our project in an ongoing and sustainable way,” she said.
“We will use it to fund a solar powered system for the village which will reduce our carbon footprint dramatically.
“High costs of energy and other essential services are often a key factor forcing people out of secure housing, with an increasing number of people needing to choose between heating or eating.
“More must be done to ensure those most impacted by both the current crisis and spiralling utility costs are not left behind.”
Mr Mitchell said the funding would provide some relief in what had been a difficult year.
“We know that more than 24,000 Victorians are homeless on any given night, which is why services like these are needed more than ever,” he said.
“Environmental projects like this will help address the climate emergency that Australia is facing but will also help with the ever-growing cost of electricity bills.”
One Voice for Aussie Youth in the Macedon Ranges also received a grant of about $11,000.
Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants of between $1000 and $12,500 help provide for energy efficient upgrades or environmentally-friendly energy solutions such as solar panels.
