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Overview
About the First Peoples Solar and Storage Initiative
This initiative aims to support self-determination and the transfer of power and resources to First Peoples communities for cultural, economic, customary and spiritual purposes.
The initiative provides funding to support First Peoples organisations to invest in and benefit from solar and storage projects that can deliver benefits back to the community.
The First Peoples Solar and Storage Initiative is jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments and seeks to support the aims of the Australian Governments’ First Nations Clean Energy Strategy and was assessed against its alignment with the following objectives from the strategy, to:
- participate in and benefit from the clean energy transformation
- ensure access to reliable clean energy for all Australians
- ensure First Peoples cultural heritage, knowledge and connection to Land and Sea Country is respected
- support government and industry to create opportunities to build deeper collaboration, consensus and new ways of working with First Nations people.
The Victorian and Australian Governments supplied funding of up to $12.2 million to the following Victorian organisations:
- non-formally recognised Traditional Owner Corporations
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
- Aboriginal trusts and co-operatives
- other non-for-profit First Peoples’ organisations.
Funding was made available through 2 streams:
- Stream 1 was a non-competitive stream for Victorian Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs).
- Stream 2 was for not-for-profit First Peoples’ Organisations such as Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations.
Funded Projects
A total of 15 batteries are proposed for Stream 1 for the following RAP organisations:
Lead applicant
- Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation
- Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation
- First Peoples of Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation
- Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
- Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
- Taungurung Land and Waters Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
- Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
- Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation
The following organisations, proposed a total of 24 batteries, which included 14 health, family, and educational organisations, through steam 2:
| Lead applicant | Project |
|---|---|
| Access Services For Koories Ltd | First Peoples' Health and Wellbeing: Solar Power Initiative |
| Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service Ltd | Powering Country, Empowering Community |
| Ballarat And District Aboriginal Co-Operative Limited | BADAC solar and battery project over 3 sites |
| Bendigo And District Aboriginal Co-Operative Ltd | BDAC Caring for Country Renewable Energy Project |
| Connecting Home Ltd | Connecting Home HQ Solar Installation |
| Lake Tyers Health & Childrens Services Association Inc | Lake Tyers Aboriginal Community Batteries - Sustainable Energy & Resilience |
| Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc | Moogji Energy Resilience |
| Munarra Limited | Munarra Solar & Battery Storage Project |
| Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-Operative Limited | MVAC Solar and Battery Energy Initiative - Saving for Future Generations |
| Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative Limited | Solar & Battery – Aged Care Facility |
| The Rumbalara Football Netball Club Inc | Rumba Goes Green |
| Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc | Closing in on Zero - VACCHO’s Clean Energy Transition |
| Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-Operative Limited | VAHS Solar and Storage Project |
| Warrigunya Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Corporation | Warrigunya Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) On Country Solar Project. |
Page last updated: 19/03/26