Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Friday, 29 April, 2016. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

New initiative for sustainable building upgrades

The Agreement provides competitive loans to property owners for building upgrades to improve energy, water or waste efficiency, or increase renewable energy and may include solar panels, LED lighting, chiller upgrade, motion sensors, double glazing and weather proofing.

Tenants and owners of commercial and industrial properties can collaborate on energy, water and waste projects to reduce their operating costs.

Greater Shepparton City Council Director Sustainable Development, Johann Rajaratnam, said “A major barrier for landlords to pursue energy efficiency upgrades for their property is the cost of the building upgrades.”

“Business ratepayers will be able to access capital to improve their buildings which creates jobs and increases environmental performance and property value,” said Mr Rajaratnam. “Upgrades save on utility bills reducing the energy cost and reducing the impact of climate change.”

“The Environmental Upgrade Agreement is the latest innovative initiative undertaken by Council to introduce energy savings,” said Mr Rajaratnam. “Council last year completed the Watts Working Better street light replacement program. We also installed a cogeneration plant at Aquamoves to save $70,000 in energy costs and 800 tonnes of CO² emissions per year.”

“We are now in the process of changing over our passenger car fleet to more fuel efficient vehicles over the next few years,” he said.

More information on EAU’s will be available in the coming months.