Lea Diffey

The opening of the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program Grants marks another opportunity to embrace regional opportunities for a community-driven energy future. As we confront the dual challenges of climate change and energy security, this initiative provides a crucial opportunity for regional leaders to rethink how we generate, store, and use energy. But the impact of the energy transition can and should go beyond just the construction of infrastructure—it can represent a shift in how we empower local communities. By strategically aligning these projects with broader regional development goals, we can unlock multiple layers of value: enhancing energy resilience for our communities, fostering economic growth, and supporting social equity. Having advised regional councils and water corporations on complex infrastructure projects, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative potential of well-planned energy/water initiatives. The key lies in a holistic approach—one that integrates robust governance, community/stakeholder engagement, and a long-term vision for sustainable/shared outcomes. I invite regional leaders to think boldly and strategically about how to leverage these grants for maximum impact. Together, we can pave the way for a resilient, prosperous future. #ThoughtLeadership #EnergyTransition #RegionalResilience #StrategicPlanning #Sustainability

4

When will Round 26 of the Cooperative Research Centres program start? For Round 25, the official open period was only 57 days (8 January to 5 March). The program guidance for future rounds is "Future rounds of the CRC Grants Program are determined by the Minister. CRC Grant rounds have been held annually over recent years". In reality, bids for Round 26 are underway, or at least under discussion. It tends to be hard to get stuck in until the shortlist for Round 25 is known (soon, I expect), but delay is the enemy of a quality bid. Bids take time to develop. Participants in bids take a long time to decide to participate (not too many people are in a position to think and act on a 10-year horizon). Then they have to seek approvals. That may involve approvals from HQ out of the country and the inevitable response "What the duck is a CRC?" Starting early saves money. Those that start later often need to bring on more assistance and therefore cost in their bid. I argue that the application forms are not very difficult to complete. A minimal amount of external guidance is needed to address the issues the CRC Advisory Committee wants to know about. Building the trusted relationships that lead to participants deciding to join a CRC can't be outsourced. But rushed bids will resort to using consultants to source participants - a recipe for more cost now and member churn down the track. Start early and run your bid much like you intend to run your CRC. Your expertise, efficiency and networks are the best path to a high-impact CRC. Peacock Consulting doesn't write bids. We can help you decide whether to bid via a one-day structured workshop. We can coach you to develop your bid. We believe you are the best placed to write your bid. Get in touch if you'd like to discuss our approach.

20

2 Comments

As the world is about to engage in critical discussions on the future of plastics, our update below outlines the collaborative strides that are being undertaken to forge a path toward significant environmental reform. 🌏 Key Highlights from the Plastic Treaty Talks: - Advocacy for net-zero GHG emissions in the plastics industry. - Alignment with global agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. - Promotion of sustainable and equitable practices across all levels of production and consumption. These discussions are crucial as we look toward forming a legally binding international framework by the end of 2024, aimed at drastically reducing plastic pollution. The comprehensive strategy that is developing, alongside the High Ambition Coalition, that includes Australia, seeks to not only address the environmental impacts but also the socio-economic dimensions, ensuring a just transition for all stakeholders involved. Tanya Plibersek

1

Are you a South Australian small business or not-for-profit organisation? You can now apply to access grants to help you invest in more energy efficient equipment or make improvements that optimise your energy usage and costs. As part of the South Australian Government's Economic Recovery Fund, the Small Business Energy Efficiency Grants program allows eligible small businesses and not-for-profits to apply for grants to help you purchase new equipment and save on your energy bills. That means if you purchase equipment or solutions between $5,000 and $100,000 (ex-GST), you can apply for a grant to receive between $2,500 and $50,000 back 👉 https://lnkd.in/ddbx7W2b At MAC Trade Services, we help businesses with ✅ Air Conditioning ✅ Appliances ✅ Lighting ✅ EV Charging ✅ Refrigerated Display Cabinets (RDC) ✅ Solar ✅ Batteries ✅ Virtual Power Plant For more information about how we can assist your business, visit https://lnkd.in/gX8j_FbA #ElectrifyEverything #SABusinessGrants #EnergyEfficiencyGrants #BusinessGrants #BusinessSA #SABusiness

9