Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton pictured with Forest Lodge Motor Inn and Lime Thai Restaurant owners Desley and Greg Rankmore.

Small and medium hotels and motels across the Parkes electorate are receiving support from the Federal Government to cut their energy costs so they can invest in their business, employ more people and get ahead.

Nineteen hotels and motels in the Parkes electorate will share more than $440,000 in funding through the $10.2 million Hotel Energy Uplift Program.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the grants will help fund projects that will provide genuine and lasting energy savings and reduce operating costs for local hotels and motels.

“Energy costs are one of the biggest overheads for local hotel and motel operators, and this funding will help owners reinvest in their business during this critical time,” Mr Coulton said.

“Hotels and motels in the Parkes electorate will be using their funding to upgrade to more energy efficient air-conditioning, refrigeration and lighting, which will improve the overall comfort for patrons and support local jobs.”

Mr Coulton visited one of the successful businesses, the Forest Lodge Motor Inn and Lime Thai Restaurant Dubbo, to share the news.

Forest Lodge Motor Inn and Lime Thai Restaurant Dubbo owner Greg Rankmore said the $25,000 grant will go a long way in helping to improve their energy efficiency.

“This grant will enable us to install 15 new split system air conditioners into our rooms which will reduce our power costs and add to the comfort of our guests,” Mr Rankmore said.

“Thank you to the Federal Government for the support.”

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Australia’s hotel industry was among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, and the Morrison Government is committed to helping local operators get back on their feet.

“As we secure Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19, backing businesses to get ahead is a key priority of the Morrison Government,” Minister Taylor said.

“Over 85 per cent of the grants awarded will go to hotels in regional or remote Australia, providing a significant boost to our regions. This is good news for tourist destinations welcoming back visitors after COVID-19-related restrictions.”

The Hotel Energy Uplift Program was announced in the 2020-21 Budget and is part of the Government’s $1.9 billion investment in new energy technologies which will create new jobs now and into the future, reduce emissions and ensure all Australians have access to reliable and affordable energy.

Hotels, motels and serviced apartments with up to 99 rooms were eligible to receive grants under the program.

Successful Parkes electorate recipients include:

• Major Mitchell Hotel Bourke – $25,000 for a lighting upgrade
• Railway Hotel Condobolin – $24,209 to install new air conditioners and refrigerators
• Orana Motel Dubbo – $25,000 for a hot water upgrade
• Forest Lodge Motor Inn and Lime Thai Restaurant Dubbo – $25,000 to install new energy efficient split system air conditioners
• Park Vue Motel Dubbo – $22,500 for a PVM LED lighting and air conditioner upgrade
• Matilda Motor Inn Dubbo – $18,649 to install energy efficient air conditioners
• Macquarie Inn Hotel Dubbo – $25,000 for window furnishings
• Tallarook Motel Dubbo – $24,032 for refrigeration, air conditioning and window fabric
• Blue Diamond Motor Inn Dubbo – $20,577 for an air conditioner upgrade
• Across Country Motor Inn Dubbo – $25,000 for a lighting upgrade
• Euabalong Royal Hotel – $19,365 for an LED lighting upgrade and the installation of new air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing and drying machines
• Courthouse Hotel Gunnedah – $25,000 to install thermal insulation and new inverter systems
• Gunnedah Mackellar Motel – $25,000 to install solar hot water systems, dual zone electronic timers to the existing hot water system’s power supply and LED lighting
• Railway Hotel Gunnedah – $25,000 for an air conditioner and refrigerator upgrade and to install insulation in roof spaces
• Harvest Lodge Motel Gunnedah – $14,727 to install energy efficient air conditioners
• Jackaroo Apartments Moree – $25,000 for an air conditioner upgrade
• Albert Motel Moree – $24,432 for an energy audit and the installation of an energy monitoring system
• Tourist Hotel Narrabri – $24,000 to install roof insulation, modern halogen lighting and heat pumps
• Country Manor Motor Inn Nyngan – $24,570 for an energy audit and installation of a smart monitoring system