Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said small and medium hotels across New England can now get help to lower their electricity bills so they can further invest in their business and employ more Australians.
“I am approached continuously from hotels and motels in our New England about what is one of their major costs, energy. Hopefully this helps in some way,” Mr Joyce said.
Hotels, motels and serviced apartment complexes with up to 99 rooms can apply for grants of up to $25,000 through the Coalition Government’s $10.2 million Hotel Energy Uplift Program.
At least 400 grants are on offer across Australia to help with energy-saving projects like installing modern windows, thicker drapes, or insulation, more efficient air conditioning or refrigeration, energy-efficient lighting or investing in monitoring systems to better manage their energy use.
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, said measures like these will reduce energy costs for hotel operators and support the creation of local jobs, including for electricians, carpenters, engineers, and plumbers.
“The hotel industry has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. With 80 per cent of small to medium hotels located in regional Australia, these grants will provide a significant boost to our regions.
“The upgrade projects will provide genuine and lasting energy savings and will have a positive flow-on effect for jobs and small businesses,” Minister Taylor said.
Mr Joyce said energy costs are one of the biggest overheads for pubs and hotel owners.
“These grants will hopefully help reduce their operating costs so they can reinvest in their business during this critical time,” Mr Joyce said.
The Hotel Energy Uplift Program was announced in the 2020-21 Budget as part of the Coalition Government’s $1.9 billion investment in new energy technologies which will back jobs now and into the future, reduce emissions and ensure all Australians have access to reliable and affordable energy.
Applications close on 1 April, 2021.
More information is available at: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/hotel-energy-uplift-program
(ENDS)