Community Renewable Energy System Transition (CREST) Funding Program – FY2025-2026
What is the CREST Funding Program:
The Community Renewable Energy System Transition (CREST) Funding Program will see the City fund and implement feasibility assessments for the buildings of eligible community organisations that are successful in their CREST Fund application, and to identify the most effective renewable energy solutions. The feasibility assessments will inform the development of fit-for-purpose solar photovoltaic (PV) and BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) designs tailored to the facility, ensuring that proposed installations are technically robust, cost-effective, and compliant with industry standards.
The CREST Funding Program aims to empower community organisations to advance their renewable energy transition through practical, evidence-based planning and design. The outcomes of the feasibility assessment and detailed designs will enable community organisations to confidently invest in or seek external grant funding for the installation of renewable energy systems that align with the specific needs and capabilities of the building they occupy.
The CREST Funding Program is available for the 2025-2026 financial year with $50,000 in funding available for up to 3 successful applicants. All eligible applications will be assessed against the program’s evaluation criteria (detailed in this document), not all eligible applicants may be successful, and future rounds of this funding program are not yet confirmed and will depend on the Council’s annual budget decisions.