Ulladulla’s Cupitt’s Estate is one of 20 business in the Gilmore electorate to receive an energy boost from the Albanese Government’s Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises program.
The grant will help the winery, brewery and restaurant reduce its carbon footprint, while also saving on electricity costs.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said she was pleased to have secured funding for a beer chiller for the Cupitt’s craft brewery, after the business previously received funding for a solar hot water system.
“I know many small businesses in our region are doing it tough and still trying to bounce back after the bushfires and Covid, so anything we can do to help reduce their operating costs is fantastic,” Mrs Phillips said.
“Cupitt’s employs 120 staff across the brewery, winery, restaurant and accommodation and the business is a champion for local produce and tourism.
“I’m really pleased to continue supporting Cupitt’s and other South Coast business, including Sea Perfect’s Moruya Shellfish Hatchery, the Kiama Leagues Club and Nowra Anglican College, that have shared in nearly $370,000 as part of the second round of the Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises program.”
The program, which awarded grants of between $10,000 and $25,000, provides direct support to small and medium sized businesses to improve their energy efficiency, ease pressure on power bills, and reduce emissions.
The grants enable a broad range of measures including replacing inefficient hot water systems with heat pumps, swapping energy draining lights for new LEDs, commercial refrigeration upgrades, and installing energy monitoring systems.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson visited Cupitt’s Estate with Mrs Phillips last week and toured the brewery with managing director Tom Cupitt.
“The Albanese Government is committed to helping small and medium-sized business with energy-saving performance upgrades like LED lighting, efficient refrigeration and heating to ease cost pressures and make every watt count.
“Improving the energy performance of businesses is a key component of our work aimed at lowering energy bills for good while also securing Australia’s cleaner and cheaper energy future for the long term.
“On the other hand, you have Peter Dutton’s energy policy-free zone offering up a $600 billion, wholly taxpayer-funded nuclear fantasy that would spike energy costs through the roof and make it harder for Australian businesses to stay afloat."
Mrs Phillips said she would continue to help local businesses enhance their sustainability and reduce their power bills.
“Small businesses on the NSW South Coast are run by local families who I know are feeling cost-of-living pressures, and I’m really proud the Albanese Government is taking steps to help them become more energy-efficient, reduce their carbon footprint and save money.”
In Round 2, the Albanese Government is delivering more than $41 million to help more than 1,700 small businesses across Australia. This builds on $15.5 million granted to 674 businesses in the program’s first round.
For more information about the Energy Efficiency Grants for SMEs program, visit: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/programs/energy-efficiency-grants-small-medium-sized-enterprises
Photo 1: Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips had a tour of Cupitt’s Estate with managing director Tom Cupitt.
Photo 2: Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips checked out the Cupitt’s Estate brewery with managing director Tom Cupitt and brewer Jon Louth.
