Brimbank businesses with an environmental conscience will soon be able to help to combat climate change, thanks to a new council program.
The Environmental Upgrade Agreements program, which has been approved for the next two years, will allow businesses to access loans for environmental upgrades for non-residential buildings, allowing them to improve energy, water and waste efficiency or increase renewable energy use.
The loans will operate in a similar way to normal loans, but the council will collect repayments from businesses through rates and terms are expected to be favourable.
Brimbank is the 10th Victorian council to endorse support for EUAs, with more than 5700 Brimbank buildings identified as suitable for upgrades.
Brimbank mayor John Hedditch said a grass-roots approach to the problem of climate change was important.
“Local communities and local businesses are at the forefront of action to address climate change around Australia,” he said. “Brimbank City Council is really pleased that local businesses are already showing interest in Environmental Upgrade Agreements.
“It’s a great start for this new initiative and we look forward to having discussions with other local businesses about this exciting opportunity.”
Five businesses a year will take part in the scheme in the first two years, consistent with a similar uptake in other municipalities.
“We are fortunate to learn from the experiences of the other nine participating councils, which indicates that in the initial stages, the Environmental Upgrade Agreement program will likely attract no more than five businesses,” Mr Hedditch said.
“Business interest will be closely gauged during the initial trial period and if interest is higher than this, the number of businesses involved can be reviewed.”
Mr Hedditch said recent community consultation had indicated a demand for environmental schemes to be available for residential buildings and the council will look at opportunities in the future.
