Swan Hill Rural City Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council businesses can now access Environmental Upgrade Finance for projects that help them save money and improve their economic and environmental performance.
How does it work?
Better Building Finance and its council partners have unlocked over $40 million in business investments through more than 100 upgrade projects. And all through offering Upgrade Finance.
Across more than 100 projects, Better Building Finance has helped councils reduce the carbon footprint of their local businesses by 500,000 tonnes of CO2, enabling them to save over $100 million in operating costs along the way
Better building finance makes it easy for councils to:
- Reduce community CO2 emissions.
- Increase investment in renewables.
- Stimulate economic activity and business profitability.
- Keep the benefits within the municipality.
- Unlock government grants and rebates.
Who is Better Building Finance?
Better Building Finance (BBF) is Australia’s independent Upgrade Finance service provider, helping councils establish and run programs for local businesses. Our purpose is to help councils create a more sustainable built environment across Australia, for the benefit of local businesses, the local community, and the broader environment. Every dollar of upgrade finance provided MUST have a measurable sustainability benefit.
For more information, please click here.
What do they do?
By providing Upgrade Finance services to our Council Partners, we have helped them unlock around $45 million in investment for businesses through more than 125 building upgrade projects. This has resulted in the installation of more than 10,000 kW of renewable energy, the reduction in over 500,000 t-CO2 emissions, and cost savings of more than $100 million for local businesses.
Event details:
Sustainability & savings for businesses
Date: Wednesday, 17 May 2023
Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Venue: Swan Hill Club – 17 McCallum Street, Swan Hill
For more information – click here
Media Release
Swan Hill Rural City Council has partnered with Better Building Finance (BBF), to enable Environmental Upgrade Finance to be offered to local businesses in its municipality.
A free business networking event will be held on Wednesday, 17 May from 5.30pm to encourage businesses to learn more about how they can improve their profitability and sustainability and what supports is available to them.
Acting Director Planning and Development Kate Jewell said it would provide a great opportunity for local businesses to hear from the experts.
“Environmental Upgrade Finance is a state government enabled program for[DH1] upgrading existing buildings to be more environmentally friendly, improve their overall sustainability, and address climate change issues.
“Council has joined over 73 existing councils in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, supporting their local business community to become more environmentally sustainable.
Local businesses now have the opportunity to take out long-term loans for works, that can then be repaid quarterly, alongside their Council rates.
“Businesses can access favourable and affordable finance terms, and their property provides the loan security,” Ms Jewell said.
Ms Jewell said Environmental Upgrade Finance was a unique opportunity for businesses to access great finance and improve the sustainability of their businesses,.
“This opportunity is certainly one that is worth looking into. Some examples of works that can be undertaken include the installation of solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, water efficiency initiatives, replacing lighting and more” she said.
“Businesses can apply for commercial buildings on rateable land, as long as their upgrade has a positive environmental benefit,” Ms Jewell said.
“Landlords can also use this finance to make upgrades and share repayments with tenants; the building improves in quality and efficiency, while the tenant may see a reduction in overheads,” she said.