I am pleased to announce seven not-for-profit organisations in the Paterson electorate have shared in $62,000 of federal funding to improve energy efficiency and cut their energy bills.

This Powering Communities Program funding will provide solar panels for Maitland Men’s Shed, Morpeth’s St James Church Hall and Salamander Bay Child Care, air-conditioning improvements for Port Stephens Neighbourhood Centre and Early Links Inclusion Support Service in Ashtonfield, lighting for Ports Stephens PCYC’s Nelson Bay basketball courts and gymnastics space, and an off-grid solar generation and storage system for Richmond Vale Preservation Co-Operative Society

My team and I worked with these organisations to test the eligibility of their projects and submit applications to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources for final approval.

I am delighted to have been able to support these organisations in their important work of providing vital services to our region. We are fortunate in Paterson that we have so many not-for-profit organisations who are working hard every day to support our community.

The successful projects are:

 Maitland Men’s Shed, $11,000, solar panel upgrade

Port Stephens Family & Neighbourhood Services, $11,000, air-conditioner upgrade

Richmond Vale Preservation Co-operative Society, $11,000, off-grid solar generation and storage

Salamander Bay Child Care Centre, $9,650, solar panels

PCYC Port Stephens, $8,972, lighting upgrade, Nelson Bay basketball courts and gymnastics space

Early Links Inclusion Support Service, $5,431, air-conditioning efficiency measures

Trustees of Church Property for Newcastle Diocese, $5,050, solar panels, St James Church Hall, Morpeth.