Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to reaffirm the Albanese Labor government's commitment to establish a community battery in the Central Coast suburb of Narara. During the 2022 federal election, delivering a community battery was one of the commitments I made to the people of Robertson, and I'm pleased to say that this commitment is progressing well. I know through doorknocking and speaking with people in Narara and across the Central Coast that there is a high level of interest and excitement for our rollout of 400 community batteries. Stream 1 of this funding will go towards 58 community batteries overseen by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Narara will be one of these first 58 locations to receive a battery.

Community batteries are a part of the Albanese Labor government's Powering Australia plan and aim to reduce pressure on our energy infrastructure. As Australia transitions to a renewable energy future, community batteries will play an integral part in supporting the energy system. They will help share solar energy across our community and across the Central Coast. They will help regulate the network and improve quality, and I look forward to this program continuing to power ahead. I encourage the people living in Narara and across the Central Coast to provide feedback on the proposed location for our community battery. I want to thank Minister Bowen, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, for his leadership on this matter and this project.