The Andrews Labor Government is supporting Victorian agribusinesses with investments to improve their sustainability and productivity by exploring new ways to be more energy efficient.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Austong International – a poultry farm in Lang Lang which has received a $29,250 grant through the Labor Government’s Agriculture Energy Investment Plan (AEIP).

The business has used the grant to upgrade a refrigeration system for the ‘Daily Fresh Eggs’ business, where they produce eggs each day for supermarkets. The new system is expected to generate up to $6,169 in on-farm energy savings per annum.

Since its establishment in 2018, the AEIP has provided free on-farm energy assessments, a grants program, research and demonstrations of energy efficient technology to support farm businesses.

To date, the AEIP has provided over 1,300 free on-farm energy assessments and a total of 650 grants worth more than $38 million. This investment has provided guidance for farm businesses to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Agriculture Energy Investment Plan is part of the Government’s 10-year Agriculture Strategy, building a more resilient, energy efficient and internationally competitive sector that is well-placed to respond to climate change.

For more information on the Agriculture Energy Investment Plan, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/

Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas

“Our farmers are leading the way when it comes to adapting to the changing climate and becoming more energy efficient on farm. We are proud to back businesses like Austong International to be more sustainable and productive into the future.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re helping Victorian families, businesses and farms cut their energy bills by embracing sustainability and new energy bills technologies – cutting the cost of living as we reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale

“This program is such a great initiative – it supports businesses to become more climate resilient and productive which in turn is good for local jobs and our local economy.”

Quote attributable to Austong International General Manager Karen Li

“The Victorian Government’s Agriculture Energy Investment Plan grant has enabled us to upgrade our refrigeration system, ensuring our coolroom can now maintain constant temperatures – safeguarding the quality of our eggs while also boosting our energy savings”.