By Jed Lanyon
Casey MP Tony Smith has pledged $90,000 towards the Healesville Community Renewable Energy Inc (CoRE), if re-elected.
Healesville CoRE is dedicated to establishing Healesville as a micro grid by 2020 and has been working to develop a commercial engagement strategy to encourage more local commercial enterprises to jump on board and invest in solar energy.
Healesville CoRE president Jeff Barlow thanked Mr Smith for the announcement.
“The funding is for solar panels, inverters and an Ubi monitoring system for the Robyn Jane Childcare Centre ($20,000), the Healesville Living and Learning Centre ($20,000) and for some homes owned by the indigenous community in Healesville, which will also include a communal battery system ($50,000),” he said.
This announcement forms part of Mr Smith’s solar plan, which includes installing solar panels and battery capacity at an upgraded Healesville pool and installing battery capacity at the Memo Hall to link to the existing solar panels to create a solar resilient recovery centre.
“These projects will form a very strong base from which Healesville CoRE can begin to plan the future micro grid we have been promoting, as well as supporting our quest to turn Healesville into a renewable energy hub for the Yarra Ranges municipality,” Mr Barlow said.
“Healesville CoRE is a great local group committed to developing Healesville as a renewable energy hub,” Mr Smith said.
