Mildura community to benefit from new solar system at sporting precinct

A solar PV system to be installed on the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct’s stadium and anticipated to be operational by the end of this year will deliver flow-on financial benefits to a local community group for the next 10 years.

Mildura Rural City Council secured $95,000 for the solar PV system at the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct (MSRSP) and as part of the 10-year arrangement the Sunraysia Sustainability Network (SSN) will receive 50% of the annual financial savings generated by the solar PV system.

This will support SSN’s important work driving sustainable behaviour change in the local community. The SSN is the driving force behind the Mildura Eco Village next to the Mildura Landfill, the hub of environmental education and sustainable living for the community.

Funded by Sustainability Victoria’s Community Power Hubs program, the project is among several implementation-ready community energy projects being delivered throughout the Loddon Mallee in partnership with the Bendigo Sustainability Group (BSG).

Councillor for Environment and Sustainability Jodi Reynolds notes “this is a great result for our region’s largest and newest sporting precinct, for our environment, and for our community.

“It will shave thousands of dollars from the precinct’s energy costs, it will further reduce our electricity demand from the grid, and best of all, it will help the hard-working members of the Sunraysia Sustainability Network continue their important work for the next 10 years.”

SSN President Krister Jonsson said the group is excited to be partnering with Council and the BSG on the project and added “the project will enable us to continue raising awareness about sustainable living in our community through the Mildura Eco Village.”

Construction of Stage 1 of the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct commenced in late 2019. By May 2021, the fit out of the main stadium had commenced, while goal posts and interchange benches were also installed around the main sporting oval. Works to the site's entry also began, and were completed by June 2021. Further landscaping works around the main oval, and at the front of the stadium, progressed in July 2021, while fit out inside the stadium was also completed during this time.

For more information on funding and progress of Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct (MSRSP) go to mildura.vic.gov.au/

Image:Mildura South regional sport precinct.