An $11,500 State Government Showground Stimulus grant powers up stage one of the Uralla Showground solar project, with Uralla Showground board Secretary Bob Crouch, left, Groundsman Darren Phillips, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Chair Bev Stubberfield.
Wednesday, 7 April 2021
THE land managers of Uralla Showground have this week realised a long-held dream of installing solar panels on the main pavilion roof, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announcing an $11,550 State Government stimulus grant to power up stage one of the Uralla Showground solar project.
In the last 12 months, the State Government has provided $327,603 in stimulus and grant funding for projects to improve Uralla Showground.
Mr Marshall said COVID-19 stimulus funding had allowed land managers to tackle costly but worthwhile projects, like installing solar panels, which they would normally not have the money for.
“From a financial point-of-view, installing solar on public facilities like Uralla Showground just makes sense,” Mr Marshall said.
“By reducing their power bill the land managers will find themselves freeing up funds which can be spent elsewhere on upkeep and facility improvements.
“In the case of Uralla Showground it is hoped this grant will cover the installation of a 7.9 kilowatt, 24-panel system along with the three-phase sub circuit cabling.
“Investigations are still being done as to which building the system should be installed on to achieve maximum power generation.
“Even a modest saving of $5,000 a year will make a huge difference to the ongoing financial viability of the Uralla Showground.”
Uralla Showground Trust Chair Bev Stubberfield said she never thought the board would be in a financial position to install a roof-top solar system.
“When the new Uralla Showground board was formed we set out our priorities for the future, and while solar was on the list we all thought it would be just a dream,” Mrs Stubberfield said.
“The State Government’s generous showground stimulus funding has allowed us to tick off a number of the priority projects and now we are in a position where we can seriously pursue the showground solar project.
“This is only stage one, over time we will work towards installing panels on all the showground’s major buildings.
“Any savings will be put back into facility maintenance and improvements for the benefit of our many user groups.”