Bellingen Memorial Hall is now battery-powered thanks to a new 48kWh battery recently installed to help power a beloved community facility.
It is Bellingen Shire Council’s first battery project, timed to take advantage of government battery subsidies, and to continue Council’s push towards net zero emissions by 2040.
The Hall underwent extensive renovations in 2022 and 2023 and as part of these renovations the Hall was made solar and battery ready. In April 2024, a 19kW solar PV system was installed on the new studio at the rear of the Hall.
Bellingen Shire Council General Manager, Mark Griffioen, explained that the Hall’s solar PV system generates more energy than it uses during the day, making a battery an ideal solution to store power for the many events held in the evening.
“Council investigated installing a battery in 2024, but the numbers didn’t quite stack up. However, with new battery subsidies being introduced in 2025, Council was able to revisit the project and take advantage of a generous $13,500 battery subsidy, leading to a win-win situation for both economic and environmental outcomes,” Mr Griffioen said.
“The new 48kWh battery was funded through Council’s Revolving Energy Fund (REF). The REF is a pool of funds that provides capital for energy efficient and renewable energy projects on Council assets. Cost savings from these projects are reinvested back into the REF to fund future initiatives.
“The battery at Bellingen Memorial Hall is predicted to save Council approximately $4,000 per year in electricity costs which will now go towards funding other initiatives, such as energy efficiency upgrades and solar and battery projects on other Council buildings”.
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor, Cr. Steve Allan, is proud of Council’s leadership in the renewable energy space, with a focus not only on its own assets, but also by providing resources and information to residents to help inform their solar decisions for their homes and businesses.
“To this end, Council will host a talk at Bellingen Memorial Hall on Saturday 28 March by a local solar expert on ‘The Electrification of Everything’, covering solar and battery technology, rebates, energy trading platforms, electric vehicles and more,” said Mayor Allan.
The FREE talk is offered to residents as part of Council’s Our Living Coast series of sustainability workshops and events. Residents are invited to book online via the Bellingen Memorial Hall website to secure their spot.
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