Solar and batteries for Maitland pool and gallery in $966k energy upgrade

newy.com.au – Maitland will receive $966,928 from the Albanese Government to help electrify key community facilities including the regional art gallery and aquatic centre under round two of the national Community Energy Upgrades Fund announced on Tuesday 18 November 2025.

The grant is part of a $100 million program the federal government says is designed to help local councils cut energy bills and emissions by installing solar, batteries and other energy-efficient technology at high-use sites such as pools, libraries and sporting venues.

In the second round of the fund, 66 local governments across Australia will share $50 million in one-off grants, awarded on a merit basis and matched by council funding. The government says the latest allocations build on the first round, which provided grants to 17 councils.

Maitland’s share will go towards stage one of a project to electrify Maitland Regional Art Gallery and Maitland Aquatic Centre, described as two of the three most energy-intensive facilities in the city and currently connected to natural gas.

The project includes rooftop solar systems coupled with battery energy storage to help manage energy demand and support the increased electricity load expected as gas equipment is replaced with electric alternatives.

Nationally, successful applications in round two include 33 upgrades to local aquatic centres and 10 projects installing smart electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The Albanese Government says almost all funded projects will include solar panels and more than half will also feature battery storage systems.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the program would help well-used community facilities reinvest savings into local services. “Generations of Australians have enjoyed and benefitted from facilities in the local community, and with this latest round of funding from the Albanese Government, we are ensuring that these facilities can invest more into their work for their local communities,” Mr Bowen said.

“From the local cricket ground, story time at the library, and diving into the local pool at the height of summer, these upgrades will deliver a cheaper, cleaner energy future for Australia – it’s further proof that what’s good for the planet is good for the pocket.”

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson said the upgrades would deliver practical benefits for ratepayers. “We are investing in a cheaper, cleaner energy future for every Australian,” Mr Wilson said. “This program will see benefits for public facilities like local swimming pools where gas boilers will be replaced with electric alternatives to reduce energy use, cut emissions, and help local governments reduce their running costs.”

Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson said the Maitland project would help modernise important local infrastructure. “These upgrades will help future-proof our community assets by switching them to cleaner, more efficient technology, including solar and battery storage. It’s a smart investment that brings down costs and strengthens our local resilience,” Ms Swanson said.

“Maitland is a fast-growing, proud regional city, and I’m delighted the Albanese Government is backing these upgrades, so our community continues to thrive.”

Maitland City Council general manager Jeff Smith said the funding would support both environmental and financial goals. “For a local council like Maitland, investing in these electrification upgrades is a prudent decision both in an environmental and an economical sense,” Mr Smith said. “We’d like to thank the Australian Government for supporting these important upgrades, as Maitland City Council works towards a more financially and environmentally sustainable future.”

The Maitland project is described as the first step towards full electrification of the Regional Art Gallery and Aquatic Centre, with further stages expected to complete the transition away from natural gas at two of the city’s most energy-intensive community facilities.