FIVE projects totalling around $187,000 in Murrindindi Shire have received funding from the final round of AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund (ERCF). The fund was distributed to 47 councils and community groups across Victoria, with around $1.7 million allocated. AusNet Executive General Manager Distribution, Andrew Linnie, said that with warmer and drier conditions heading into summer, the grants will help communities prepare for emergency events. “These ERCF-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,” Mr Linnie said. Funding from AusNet will also help community organisations manage energy costs and adopt more sustainable energy solutions. $1.5 million of funding went towards Energy Resilience grants, with $136,000 provided for Education and Literacy grants. “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,” said Mr Linnie. AusNet established the $12 million Energy Resilience Community Fund following a severe weather event in 2024, which significantly impacted the electricity network. In Murrindindi Shire, funded projects include: Alex Makes Meals will receive $50,000 for The Kitchen Yea to install a three-phase power, solar, battery backup and a generator changeover switch. The not-for-profit kitchen and resilience hub will operate independently during outages and emergency events, providing hot meals, food relief, refrigeration, charging, emergency communications and a safe gathering space. Buxton Memorial Hall will receive $47,484 to expand solar, battery storage and generator connections for prolonged outages. The upgrade will power lighting, kitchens, hot water, charging, heating and cooling. As Buxton’s only community facility, the hall will provide communications, medicine refrigeration, power for medical devices, meals and potential overnight shelter, creating an emergency hub for the wider community. Glenburn Hall will receive $37,739 to install solar and battery storage, reducing energy costs and enabling the hall to maintain operations during outages and emergency events. The system will power lighting, refrigeration, communications and meals. As the district’s only gathering place and a proven emergency-services base, the hall will connect residents and support local response efforts when needed. Highlands Hall will receive $31,467 to install a generator, transfer switch and switchboard upgrade for use during outages and emergency events. During the 2026 Longwood Fires the hall provided shelter, meals, communications, charging and welfare support for 11 days. This additional backup power will strengthen refrigeration, heating, cooling, coordination and support for residents, volunteers and emergency responders in the region. Toolangi Castella District Community House will receive $20,974 to install a battery storage system. During outages and emergency events it will power radio communications, laptops, lighting, essential equipment and the water-tank pump.
