Highlands Hall has received $31,467 from AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund to install a generator, transfer switch and switchboard upgrade. Pictured are Kate McAlpin and Andrea Bauer.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Two energy resilience projects within the region have received a combined total of more than $80,000 to “keep (the) lights on”.
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Altogether, 47 community groups and councils across Victoria have been successful in the final round of AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund, sharing in close to $1.7 million.
In Murrindindi Shire, which has been granted a total of $187,664 for five projects, Highlands Hall has been awarded $31,467 to install a generator, transfer switch and switchboard upgrade.
During the 2026 Longwood bushfires, the hall provided shelter, meals, communications, charging and welfare support for 11 days.
This additional backup power is set to strengthen refrigeration, heating, cooling, co-ordination and support for residents, volunteers and emergency responders in the region.
Other successful projects within the shire include those at Alex Makes Meals, Buxton Memorial Hall, Glenburn Hall and Toolangi Castella District Community House.
Footy for Climate Longwood has been awarded $49,389 to add battery storage and inverter upgrades to the Community Centre’s solar system.
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Supplied
In Strathbogie Shire, one of four projects to share in $184,996 is located in Longwood.
Footy for Climate Longwood will receive $49,389 to add battery storage and inverter upgrades to the Community Centre’s solar system, enabling it to operate as an emergency hub.
It will provide refrigeration, charging, kitchens, showers and refuge during outages and extreme weather events.
Other projects in Strathbogie include those at Euroa Showgrounds, Euroa Pharmacy and Gooram Soldiers Memorial Hall.
AusNet executive general manager of distribution Andrew Linnie said that with warmer and drier conditions heading into summer, the grants would help communities prepare for emergency events.
“These Energy Resilience Community Fund-funded projects will help support trusted local community hubs, with solutions that will keep lights on, phones charged, food and medicines refrigerated and essential services operating during prolonged power outages and emergency events,” he said.
“Through the Energy Resilience Community Fund, AusNet has supported the creation of almost 140 community resilience hubs and mobile assets, with many operational and ready for community use now and in future emergency events.”
The $12 million fund was established following a severe weather event in 2024, which significantly impacted the electricity network.
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