Skip to content

Funding boost for local dairy farmers lowers energy costs

JMR WITH ENERGY MINISTER AND AGRICULTURE MINISTER LITTLEPROUD

The Morrison Government is supporting dairy farmers across regional Victoria to lower their power bills so they can reinvest in their business and employ more people.  

Through the Government’s Energy Efficient Communities Program, one dairy farm in the Ballarat electorate and three dairy farms in the Corangamite electorate have been awarded grants of up to $20,000. 

This will help dairy farmers to reduce their energy bills by upgrading to more energy efficient equipment such as vacuum pumps, cooling and heating equipment or lighting, investing in monitoring systems to better manage their energy use, or having energy audits done on their operations. 

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Government is supporting dairy farmers to invest in energy-saving activities for the benefit of their business and the country. 

“Dairy farmers are at the centre of an industry every Australian relies on,” Minister Taylor said.  

“The products they produce line our supermarket shelves and fill our fridges. 

“With energy a significant cost of doing business in the dairy industry, these grants will help farmers lower their bills and help ensure the long-term viability of their businesses. 

“Helping these businesses to cut their power bills by becoming more energy efficient will ease the financial pressures they face while also reducing our emissions. It’s a win-win.” 

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said energy use in milk cooling, milk harvesting and hot water production is one of the highest overheads in the dairy shed, so anything that can be done to reduce costs will help support the financial resilience of these farmers. 

“Many businesses are struggling at the moment and dairy farmers, in particular, are continuing to do it tough in the drought and the aftermath of devastating bushfires,” Minister Littleproud said. 

“These grants will provide welcome support at a time when so many in the agricultural sector are struggling. 

Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said dairy farmers are vital to the sustainability of regional Australia so it’s critical that we continue to support them. 

“Helping these businesses to cut their power bills by becoming more energy efficient will ease the financial pressures they face while also reducing our emissions. It’s a win-win.” 

The Energy Efficient Communities Program was announced as part of the Government’s $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package to deliver on Australia’s 2030 climate commitments.   

5 November 2020 

Share this