THE Buxton Memorial Hall is set to get a massive solar gain which will enable the facility to operate independent of the grid during extended power outages or other major events that disrupt the power grid. The Buxton Progress Association (BPA) has been allocated over $47,000 to replace the existing solar panels and battery storage at the hall through an AusNet Energy Resilience Community Fund grant, alongside four other projects in Murrindindi Shire. The AusNet grants support energy resilience assets and education, awareness and literacy programs to help build and strengthen community energy resilience and help communities prepare for and recover after a severe weather event or outage. In 2025, the BPA released a Request for Proposal, to a number of local qualified solar installation contractors, seeking ideas on how the existing installation at the Buxton Hall could be upgraded so the hall could operate independent of the power grid for extended periods of times. Apart from increasing the existing panels and battery storage, BPA sought proposals that enabled the heating and cooling to operate for extended periods off-grid along with a methodology for long-duration emergency power connectivity without the use of a fixed on-site generator. The proposal offered by Alexandra based E-Tec Electrical Technology was shortlisted and used as the basis of an application to the final round of the AusNet grant programme earlier this year. The grant funding will enable the existing installation to be replaced with leading-edge technology comprising 56 replacement panels producing up to 26kW’s of power, over 48kWh of on-site power storage, and two separate inverters. The existing components will be repurposed by the contractor. Last week representatives of the BPA Committee met with E-Tec manager, Mr Stuart Cowan, and AusNet’s Customer and Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Mr Gary Hocking, to review the proposed scope. Gary was shown around the facility by BPA Committee members Marj Harvey and Alan Tonkin. “AusNet is excited to have the opportunity to fund the project so that the hall can continue to operate during prolonged power outages”, Gary said after the site inspection. Stuart explained that all the materials have been ordered and site installation works are scheduled for October. AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund Manager, Ms Kim Sullivan, said “the project clearly demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening energy resilience in your community”. Kim explained that the grants are part of AusNet’s commitment to delivering long-term benefits that leave a positive legacy in the local communities AusNet serves. She said the grant is a recognition of the BPA’s hard work and affirmation of the impact the project will have in the Buxton and wider Triangle community. Kim added “we are excited to see how AusNet’s support will help bring [the project] to life.” The hall is an entirely community owned and operated facility dedicated to the people of Buxton and the surrounding Triangle area. The need to maintain and develop the hall for future generations was one of the key outcomes identified during a community consultation conducted by the BPA in 2022. Completion of the site works are scheduled for October with commissioning anticipated to be completed by November.
