Small and medium hotels across the New England are being supported by the Federal Coalition Government to lower their power bills so they can invest in their business and employ more local people.

Through the Government’s $10.2 million Hotel Energy Uplift Program, hotels, motels and serviced apartment complexes with up to 99 rooms will be able to access grants of up to $25,000 for energy-saving projects.

This will reduce energy costs for hotel operators and support the creation of local jobs, including for electricians, carpenters, engineers, and plumbers.

Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said eligible grants could include upgrades such as air conditioning or refrigeration, installing energy efficient lighting or investing in monitoring systems to better manage their energy use.

“Energy costs are one of the biggest overheads for publicans and hotel owners and these grants will reduce these operating costs and help them reinvest in their business to keep people in jobs and local money in town,” Mr Joyce said.

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the launch comes at an important time, as the tourism and accommodation sector looks to get back on its feet.

“The hotel industry has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Taylor said.

“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.”

The Hotel Energy Uplift Program was announced in the 2020-21 Budget as part of the Government’s $1.9 billion investment in new energy technologies which will back jobs now and into the future and ensure all Australians have access to reliable and affordable energy.

Applications open on 24 February 2021 and will close on 1 April 2021 (or earlier, if funding is exhausted). To view the program guidelines, visit: business.gov.au

(ENDS)