Redland City Council will launch an electricity trial that it hopes will provide community and sporting groups with significant savings on their power costs.
Under the trial, community non-profit associations on council-controlled land will be offered access to the city’s bulk electricity rate.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the move followed research which showed Council's current electricity rate was lower than rates charged to some community associations.
“In some cases, the consumption rate is up to 70 per cent lower, which means there is potential for community organisations to make significant savings,’’ Cr Williams said. “Council’s bargaining power is significant and we want to see how we can best extend that to our highly valued community groups.’’
The trial program will be open to community non-profit associations with electricity metered sites on Council-controlled land that is regulated under a compliant lease or permit arrangement.
Council’s Community and Cultural Service spokesperson Cr Lance Hewlett said Council’s power provider, QEnergy, would bill Council which would then invoice groups for their electricity charges.
“We appreciate this is a decision for individual associations, which are free to pursue their own electricity arrangements, but believe it is an exciting initiative which will provide savings for the benefit of the community,’’ Cr Hewlett said.
The trial will start in February and continue for 12 months, when it will be reviewed.
“Once the benefits are demonstrated, Council can look at extending the opportunity long term,” Cr Hewlett said.
Associations which want to be involved should contact Council’s Senior Procurement Officer on 3829 8783.
