Nine schools in the Richmond electorate have received grants as part of the final round of the Australian Government’s National Solar Schools Program, including St Anthony’s at Kingscliff.
Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan, together with Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, recently announced 804 schools from around Australia had been awarded grants of up to $50,000.
These grants are being used to install renewable solar energy systems, rainwater tanks and other energy efficiency measures to cut pollution and save money on electricity bills.
This program’s popularity shows that schools are keen to reduce their energy consumption and conserve water, giving students and local school communities the opportunity to experience renewable energy generation first-hand.
Since the program began, more than 5,400 schools (close to 60%) across the nation have received a grant.
The nine schools from the Richmond area, including three from the Tweed – St Anthony’s, St Josephs in Murwillumbah and Tumbulgum Public School, were successful receiving a total of $230,500 in funding to install a either solar power system, rainwater tanks and/or other energy efficient items.
Applications were assessed using merit-based criteria. Schools demonstrated value for money, as well as environmental and educational benefits. Applications from schools located in remote or low socio-economic areas received additional weighting to allow funding to be directed to schools most in need.
The 2012-13 funding round was the final opportunity for schools to apply for a National Solar Schools Program grant.
