Boosting energy efficiency for victoria’s farmers

The Victorian Government is supporting farmers to improve sustainability and reduce energy costs through the rollout of the new Agriculture Energy Investment Plan grants.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today welcomed the latest recipients to receive the grant including two in the Macedon electorate.

Holy Goat Cheese in Sutton Grange have received $29,115 for the installation of a 19.6kW solar PV system and a CO2 heat pump to reduce grid electricity consumption and bills.

A Trentham farm have also received $50,000 for the installation of a new high-performance diesel engine and pump, upgrade irrigation system and installation of 6” PVC underground mains to reduce diesel consumption.

The grants will support farm businesses complete projects to improve their energy efficiency, reduce on-farm costs and maintain their competitiveness. Grants have been awarded to farms across the agricultural sector – including dairy, sheep, horticulture and viticulture producers.

The grants process will now be streamlined for dairy farmers applying for small energy grants, who will now be able to receive grants for eligible equipment without requiring an on-farm energy assessment.

The Agriculture Energy Investment Plan has been designed to strengthen industry’s ability to adapt to changing energy conditions and provides:

$5 million for energy efficiency assessments on farm $20 million in grants to support farmers invest in energy efficiency and own generation technology $1.5 million to demonstrate energy efficiency and own generation measures on farm $2.5 million to link farmers and businesses to information, education resources and apps $1 million in research to commercialise research for the farming sector.

For more information on how to apply for assessments and grants, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP
"The Andrews Labor Government is proud to be helping our farms move into the future with projects that will bring costs down and make our agriculture industry sustainable for many years to come."

"We’re ensuring we can support farmers save on their energy bills and make their businesses more efficient."