Vinnies Bathurst receives $5000 in federal funding for solar power

The federal government has delivered $5000 to help the store transition to solar power, which will aim to lower energy bills, reduce emissions and ensure more savings for Vinnies' charitable local initiatives.

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Vinnies North West regional retail manager David Powter said the savings in energy costs will afford local Vinnies staff and volunteers greater flexibility to help the local community.

"We want to cut down our energy costs and put those savings towards our welfare programs, which go a long way towards helping more vulnerable members of the Bathurst community," Mr Powter said.

"But the move to solar also fits in with our sustainable retail model, as we're not only saving clothing and other household items from going into landfill, but 90 per cent of what isn't sold is recycled overseas and reconstituted into items such as mats and towels."

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Mr Powter oversees 36 Vinnies stores from Cowra to Tenterfield, and from Lithgow to Walgett.

Calare MP Andrew Gee said the grant was delivered through the federal government's Powering Communities Program, which aims to lower energy costs, support local jobs and help reduce global emissions.

"Over the next decade, Vinnies Bathurst expects to save around $100,000 in energy costs, with each dollar making a massive difference to the lives of locals who have reached out for assistance," Mr Gee said.

Mr Gee said the savings on energy will also help safeguard Vinnies from financial burdens brought about by external matters.

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"With energy bills one of the biggest overheads for not-for-profit organisations, helping to reduce power bills will ease the financial pressure these organisations face so they can better focus on meeting the needs of our local community," he said.

"Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the store has continued to do what it does best, which is to serve and support the community."

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