The Hodgman Liberal Government’s On-Farm Energy Audit and Capital Grant Program will be fast-tracked following a successful launch of the initiative in Tasmania last year.
So far more than $225 000 in grants have been provided to 29 local farm businesses, helping Tasmanian farmers save thousands of dollars each year in energy charges. The funding allocation for 2019-20 has now been brought forward into this financial year to support the heightened level of interest.
The funding allows farmers to engage a qualified professional to review their energy use, identify savings and then to implement recommended energy efficiency measures, including for capital costs.
Up to $20 000 per applicant is available, which can be spread across an audit and purchase of capital infrastructure which could also include professional advice on pumping and efficient irrigation systems, general farm operations, solar, domestic usage, and farm machinery and equipment.
The On-farm Energy Audit and Capital Grant Program is a key part of our plan to improve the competitiveness of Tasmanian agriculture and grow the annual farm gate value of the sector to $10 billion a year by 2050.
Further information is available at www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au