![BRIGHT: Tremain's Mill owner Stephen Birrell [right] gives Calare MP Andrew Gee a tour of the site to see the new LED's in use. Photo: SAM BOLT](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/xry9xtRQu9u36zRV2j5976/e5556590-a324-4a87-8877-aba17ba27f51.JPG/r0_174_4608_2765_w576_h298_fmax.webp "BRIGHT: Tremain's Mill owner Stephen Birrell [right] gives Calare MP Andrew Gee a tour of the site to see the new LED's in use. Photo: SAM BOLT")
The future is looking brighter at Tremain's Mill after a federal government grant has further contributed to the precinct's end goal of a full conversion to solar energy in order to modernise power consumption and take the bill strain off business tenants.
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Tremain's Mill received a $20,000 under the federal government's Energy Efficient Communities Program to install LED lighting throughout the complex, including the main function room and the approved One Strength gym site.
Owner Stephen Birrell said LED's have already achieved their desired effect through the site's apartments, and that the federal grant will provide further savings for other projects.
"This site is getting to the point where the next steps will require a major amount of investment, which could well be beyond what Glenda [Deans, Mr Birrell's wife and co-owner] and I can accomplish," Mr Birrell said.
"We're in discussions with organisations representing major hotel chains regarding the feasibility of turning the silos into accommodation offerings.
"There may be another owner for the site in the near future, but we'd be keen to see them maintain our vision of keeping Tremain's Mill as a precinct for the people of Bathurst."
Calare MP Andrew Gee said the grant will help businesses within the historic precinct to shrink electricity usage and slash energy costs.
"Established in 1857, the Tremain's Mill site has been a hive of activity and innovation in Bathurst for 165 years," Mr Gee said.
"The home of the mid-19th century red brick flour mill has undergone a number of transformations in its time, with the precinct now an amazing food, retail and accommodation hub delighting local residents and visitors to Bathurst alike.
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"The less money spent on energy bills, the more money in the bank for our local small businesses, so they have the choice to invest in more important aspects of their business, or expand and employ more people."
The grants were available to businesses with an annual turnover under $10 million.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
