Community Clubs are saving more than $250,000 a year on electricity costs thanks to Brisbane City Council-funded solar power systems, with the 50th club now connected to the renewable energy.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Resilient Clubs Support Program had invested almost $740,000 since late 2020 to install solar system at 50 local sport and community clubs.

“Installing solar power and cutting costs for 50 clubs is a significant milestone in this program,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Right now, cost of living is going up and up, but the Resilient Clubs initiative helps clubs cope with rising energy prices by adopting clean, green, and sustainable practices.

These 50 solar panels installed to date are saving our local community clubs more than $250,000 on electricity costs alone, putting more money back into the pockets of these clubs so they can invest it in their players, volunteers and the community.

Our solar panels have already saved an estimated 1220 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 388 cars off the road every year.”

The 50th solar panel was recently installed at Bulimba Hockey Club, with their energy-intensive irrigation, refrigeration and internal lighting now to be powered by sustainable solar.

Bulimba Hockey Club Secretary Linda Francis said the solar system was just one of many ways the club benefits from the program.

We have had energy-saving devices installed within the clubhouse, self-timing lights in amenities, changing internal clubhouse lights to LED, solar panels installed and online webinars which have been useful with handy hints and grant opportunities,’ Ms Francis said.

Cr Schrinner said the Resilient Clubs initiative helped reduce costs over the long term.

“Every club is different, and we work closely with each organisation to determine the best and most suitable support and then we provide information, expert suppliers and funding,” he said.

“Installing solar panels helps clubs spend less on maintenance and more on players, with the one-off payment for installing the solar panels providing ongoing cost reduction for the clubs every time a bill lands.”

For more information on the Resilient Clubs Support Program, visit Brisbane Sustainability Agency’s website at www.sustainablebrisbane.com.au/programs/resilient-clubs-support-program/

RESILIENT CLUBS SOLAR INSTALLATIONS:

  • Acacia Ridge Community Support, Acacia Ridge
  • AFL Queensland, Yeronga
  • Algester Branch Little Athletics Centre, Algester
  • Annerley Recreation Club Incorporated, Greenslopes
  • Arana Leagues Club, Keperra
  • Aspley Little Athletics Centre, Geebung
  • Aspley Rugby League Football Club, Zillmere
  • Bardon Community Kindy, Bardon
  • Bardon Latrobe Football Club, Bardon
  • Baseball Queensland, Hendra
  • Brighton District Soccer Club, Brighton
  • Brisbane Hockey Management Group, Chermside
  • Brisbane Racing Club, Acacia Ridge
  • Brisbane Visual Arts Community, Tarragindi
  • Bulimba Hockey Club, Morningside
  • Bulimba Memorial Bowls and Community Club, Balmoral
  • Camp Hill Community and Sporting Club, Camp Hill
  • Centenary Rowing Club, Riverhills
  • Chermside Bowls Club, Chermside
  • Eastern Suburbs Soccer Club, East Brisbane
  • Easts Mt Gravatt Junior Rugby League Football Club, Mansfield
  • Easts Rugby Union, Norman Park
  • Everton Districts Cricket Club, Chermside West
  • Everton Districts Sporting Club, Enoggera
  • Ferny Grove Bowls, Sports and Community Club, Ferny Grove
  • Forest Lake Junior Rugby Union Club, Forest Lake
  • Greenslopes Bowls and Community Club, Greenslopes
  • Moorooka District Australian Football Club, Moorooka
  • Inala Community House, Inala
  • Indians Baseball Club, Runcorn
  • Kedron Football Club, Kedron
  • Mt Gravatt Youth and Recreation Club, Mansfield
  • Northern Suburbs Hockey Club, Ashgrove
  • Norths St Josephs Junior Rugby League Football Club, Virginia
  • Queensland Gaelic Football Association, Willawong
  • Queensland Lions Football Club, Darra
  • Souths United Soccer Club, Runcorn
  • Spanish Centre, Acacia Ridge
  • St Catherine’s United Football Club, Middle Park
  • St Paul’s Uniting Soccer Club
  • Sunnybank Rugby Union Club, Macgregor
  • Taringa Rovers Soccer Football Club, Indooroopilly
  • Tarragindi Churches Tigers Sporting Association, Tarragindi
  • The Pacific Islands Council Qld, Indooroopilly
  • University of Queensland Football Club, Chapel Hill
  • Community Living Association, Wavell Heights
  • Western Districts Rugby Football Club, Toowong
  • Wests Mitchelton Rugby League Football Club, Mitchelton
  • Port Brisbane Football Club, Pinkenba
  • Yeronga Park Kindergarten Association, Yeronga