Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Empowering Local Communities for a Sustainable Future 🌍 Local government bodies across Australia are stepping up to drive sustainability with the support of the Australian Government’s $100 million #CommunityEnergyUpgradesFund (#CEUF). Thanks to $50 million in grants in Round 1 of the program, 58 councils have secured funding for projects that enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and electrify infrastructure. The merit-based program will provide matched funding of up to 50 per cent of project costs. These upgrades—ranging from solar PV installations to EV charging infrastructure—demonstrate how strategic investments can achieve significant long-term operational savings and contribute to national sustainability goals 💡 Round 2 is expected to commence in early 2025, with a further $50 million grant funding available. Now is the time for local governments to explore these opportunities for both environmental impact and cost reductions. Let’s build resilient, energy efficient communities that benefit future generations 🌱 Read more 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wQP1Q

🍃 Green public spaces and agricultural research are very different landscapes, but they can both provide a better quality of life for us in Australia. In Horsham, regional Victoria, new water recycling infrastructure is improving both by: 🏏 keeping public spaces such as ovals and parks green 🌾 irrigating field experiments to support world-class agricultural research. Find out more about this recently completed #NationalWaterGrid project 🔗 https://brnw.ch/21wQNkK Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action 📷 Image credit: GWMWater

📣💨 DYK: #OffShoreWind companies granted feasibility licences are required to consult the community and co-users of the area during planning and throughout the life of their offshore wind projects. Find out more 🔗 https://brnw.ch/21wQLz9

Applications are open! We’re looking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to join the 2025 Australian Government Indigenous Apprenticeships Program. The program is a great way to join one of the many government departments and agencies in the Australian Public Service - including DCCEEW. You don’t need any previous experience to apply. Services Australia is recruiting on behalf of the Australian Public Service. For more information, go to https://lnkd.in/gUvfdBM

CIS Tender 4 Stage A bids closing soon!

🐳 Did you have a whale-y good time celebrating #WorldWhaleDay yesterday? 🐳 Wonderful whale facts: 🌊 #Whales are marine mammals – they breathe air and give birth to live young. 🐬 They’re a type of cetacean, a term that also includes dolphins and porpoises. 🔊 They use sound to communicate and to understand the environment around them. 🗺️ Many whale species migrate vast distances every year, through the high seas and many nations’ ocean territories. 👀 The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to exist on Earth. 🦐 Baleen whales have plates rather than teeth, which they use to filter feed on krill and plankton. 🐠 Toothed whales – including sperm whales and beaked whales – have conical teeth for feasting on fish and squid. We’re lucky to find about 24 species of whales in Australian waters. They and all other #cetaceans are protected under our environmental law: 🌏 the Australian Whale Sanctuary includes all Commonwealth waters (from 3 nautical miles out to at least 200 nautical miles from the coastline) 🏖️ states and territories also protect cetaceans within their waters (within 3 nautical miles of the coastline). Wade in to find out more about our work to protect whales: https://brnw.ch/21wQJUk 📷 Humpback whale breaching in Hervey Bay, Queensland. Shutterstock #LoveOurOcean #MarineMonday

☑️ The Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2024 has passed the Senate. This legislation implements production tax incentives for renewable hydrogen and critical minerals. The incentives will support Australia’s efforts to decarbonise our industries, and produce and process more of the minerals needed for the energy transition. Read more 🔗 https://brnw.ch/21wQEYr

Do you know an inspiring project led by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, team or community group solving a challenge through the practice of Australian Indigenous knowledge systems? Nominate them now for the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science! Nominations are open until 18 March 2025. Find out more by visiting industry.gov.au/PMPrizes   #PMPrizes

What new products do you want to see water efficiency labels on? Nominate them for inclusion in the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme. Your suggestions could help Australians save even more water! 👉 Nominate a product at https://brnw.ch/21wQDa4 Help lead the way in water conservation! 💧 #WaterEfficiency #Sustainability

📢 First Nations in the Murray-Darling Basin - 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 The Cultural Flows Planning for Cultural Economies Grants program is opening for applications in early April 2025. Are you a First Nations group with connection to the #Murray-Darling Basin💧? Are you interested in #CulturalWaterFlows for the Cultural, social, spiritual, economic 🐟 or environmental 🌿 benefit of your Nation? 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐰, you can get ready to apply for funding to assist you with #Cultural flows planning or business planning or governance. If you’re new to Cultural flows planning or have a plan and want to take the next steps, find resources to help you get ready to apply at https://lnkd.in/geR7UwD5