Grants help fight climate change

LOCAL communities will work together to tackle climate change under a new initiative led by the Brumby Government.
The $23 million dollar Climate Communities program aims to encourage sustainable living.
As a part of the new scheme local businesses, councils, schools and service groups will be eligible for government rebates to support their actions to reduce carbon emissions.
Homeowners will also be able to claim on the scheme if they show signs of sustainable living, which includes the installation of rainwater tanks and using energy saving appliances.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said he hoped the program would reverse the negative stigma of human impact on climate change.
“Much of the debate on national and global action on climate change centres on the negative impact human beings have had on the climate,” he said.
“But our government wants to shift the focus onto the positive impact human beings can have on our climate.”
The State Government has revealed it will fund projects of various sizes with two grant rounds each year. Grants of up to $50,000 will be available.
The first round of applications will open next year.