What's Happening in Braeside, VIC…

The opportunity to reduce costs and operate medium-sized and small businesses more efficiently is being provided through a $3 million grants programme initiative of the Victorian government.

The SV Business –Boosting Productivity grants programme is being rolled out by Sustainability Victoria to give upward of 1,000 businesses throughout the state the skills required to reduce greenhouse emissions, improve productivity and cut energy costs.

The topic of effective measures to reduce greenhouse emissions and cut energy costs has often been covered via booklet printing throughout the industry and, according to Chief Executive of Sustainability Victoria Stan Krpan it is time to take action.

He said the first stream of this latest programme provides an opportunity for business owners to apply immediately for funds up to $, to gain an independent assessment of their energy use as determined by a professional consultant.

Each organisation, he said, will also be provided with recommendations on ways the levels can be reduced such as upgrading to new technology or a stream of other measures.

This step will be followed by a second programme incorporating grants for medium and small-sized firms to undertake projects that will build skills and knowledge in energy efficiency.

Mr. Krpan said the improvement potential is excellent with a 20 per cent cut in energy use recorded in a similar assessment of 100 businesses in 2012.

Results such as this, he said, help the environment, improve business productivity and protect jobs.