Cook Shire Council is pleased to announce it has been awarded funding through the Australian Government’s Solar for Public Facilities Program, enabling major solar upgrades at two important community facilities — the Cooktown Events Centre and Bloomfield Hall.
Under the program, the Cooktown Events Centre will receive new undercover parking fitted with solar panels, similar to the solar carpark structure recently installed above the Hope Street carpark at Council’s Main Administration Building. Electricity is the Events Centre’s largest operational expense, costing the community more than $100,000 each year. The addition of solar generation will significantly reduce these costs, improve long-term sustainability, and help keep the facility affordable for local sporting groups, clubs and events.
Bloomfield Hall will also receive a substantial upgrade, with solar panels to be installed directly on the roof to help offset the cost of powering the facility. The hall host a 24-hour community gym, which requires continuous air conditioning to keep the space safe and comfortable for users. The new solar system will help reduce the cost burden of this, while ensuring the gym and broader community activities can continue to operate affordably.
Mayor Robyn Holmes welcomed the announcement, saying:
“In times of rapidly rising electricity costs, Council is continually looking for ways to reduce expenditure while maintaining the services our community depends on. This funding is a considerable win, helping us rein in escalating operational costs at both Bloomfield Hall and the Cooktown Events Centre.”
Read the full Ministerial Announcment here.