By Dongyun Kwon
Thanks to the participation from the businesses on Healesville main street, the Solar 4 Healesville Business Project has got into stage two.
Earlier this year, Healesville Community Renewable Energy (HCoRE) appointed a long-term Healesville resident Jane Judd as a consultant for this project to gather information and data regarding the local businesses’ ideas and thoughts on solar energy.
Ms Judd walked the main street and knocked on the doors of the businesses to hand out surveys asking questions such as whether the premises they use are owned or leased, how much of their running costs are attributable to power costs and whether they have considered installing solar.
69 surveys were distributed and 30 were completed.
HCoRE president Karen Roberts said HCoRE was very happy with the survey response rate, which exceeded expectations and provided valuable insights and information.
“We are grateful to everyone who took time out of their busy days and willingly participated in the consultation,” she said.
Among the respondents, 23 were business owners who leased their premises, including a mix of retail (43.5 per cent), hospitality (26 per cent), and service (30.5 per cent) businesses.
The Healesville business owner/landlord survey was completed by seven owner-operators, comprising a mix of retail (33.5 per cent), hospitality (50 per cent), and service industry (16.5 per cent) businesses.
Based on the survey result, HCoRE wrote a report and shared it with the local businesses who would like a copy of it.
Ms Roberts said a key finding was that current financial incentive programs for solar installation primarily target property owners, not leaseholders although most businesses in Healesville are operated by leaseholders.
“The problem with current incentives and rebates is that they target residential properties, not commercial, and even then it is very complex to negotiate an agreement that both parties are satisfied with,” she said.
“It is difficult to incentivise owners to install solar.”
In part of stage two of the project, HCoRE has applied for a grant from National Australia Bank, which will be used to solve the problem that they found out through the survey.
“The grant, that we have applied for, will be used to explore how, after installing solar, both landlords and tenants can use the savings on power bills to pay back the loan,” the president said.
Ms Roberts is encouraging locals to do Christmas shopping locally to support local businesses.
“In the meantime, as Christmas approaches, consider doing your Christmas shopping in Healesville,” she said.
“You can save your petrol. There is no need to drive anywhere as we are lucky to have such a diverse range of commercial shops in town, and there are great bargains to be found.
“It’s a tough time for families and small businesses with the rising cost of living, so support your local business community by shopping locally.”
