State Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan today joined staff at the Caboolture Meals on Wheels Association to inspect their new 64-panel solar power system, funded by the Queensland Government.

Caboolture Meals on Wheels received a grant of $28,385 from the State Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF).

Mr Ryan said the addition of the solar power system would mean a significant saving on Meals on Wheels’ quarterly power bill. 

“Everyone in the community is looking for ways to save on their power bills,” he said. “And no-one more-so than groups like Meals on Wheels.

“It’s estimated these new solar panels will save Meals on Wheels more than $5,000 a year off their power bill.

“That’s $5,000 that can now go toward the amazing work Meals on Wheels do, feeding those in need, here in our region.”

Caboolture Meals on Wheels Service Manager, Rhondi McCosker, said refrigeration was the main culprit for driving up their power costs.

“To give us enough capacity to store all our food, we use multiple freezers, but that means we have to leave our air-conditioning on to keep the building cool,” she said. 

“But thanks to this new 16kw solar system we’ll save about 25% off the bill.

“That sort of cost saving is a huge relief when you’re balancing the tight budget of a community organisation, I can tell you.

“And what’s more, having a quarter of our power now coming from the sun is good for the environment too.”

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund provides one-off grants to Queensland not-for-profit community organisations, with revenues sourced from gaming taxes.

Information on how to apply to the GCBF is available at: www.justice.qld.gov.au/grants. The next round of grants (round 97) opens in mid-April and closes 31 May, 2018.