Climate Ready is open for grant applications
The Rudd Government’s $75 million Climate Ready program is open for applications.
Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, said Climate Ready would support Australian businesses developing new products, processes and services to tackle climate change by providing dollar-for-dollar support for research and development, proof-of-concept and early-stage commercialisation activities.
Applicants can apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $5 million.
The Government’s announcement came a day after Ballina-based Permo-Drive investors met in a bid to keep the company afloat.
Local shareholders and residents raised $25,000 over the past three weeks in a bid to keep Permo-Drive afloat long enough to find an investor willing to put a few million on the table, and to apply for Government grants.
Permo-Drive has developed a fuel conservation system for heavy vehicles such as garbage trucks, but early this month its directors moved to voluntarily wind up the company because it lacked the $7.5 million needed for the last stage of production.
However, shareholders say they will not give up without a fight, with many joining a ‘Save Our Technology’ group in a bid to raise $2 million to help stop the technology from being lost to overseas interests.
Senator Carr said: “It is vital that the Australian Government work in partnership with our innovative companies to address the challenge of climate change.
“Innovative products and processes that help tackle global warming can also create high-wage, high-skill jobs for the future, which is in all our interests.
“A huge global market is developing for clean and green technologies. Australian industry has the creativity and drive to deliver to world markets in this area.”
Senator Carr said that applications for grants are welcome for any company developing innovative solutions to address climate change impacts.
“A broad range of applications are expected in areas as diverse as water recycling, waste recovery, small scale renewable energy technologies, green building materials, and other products, processes or services to monitor emissions or reduce energy use,” he said.
“Australian businesses can also apply for grants involving enabling technologies like nanotechnology and biotechnology that address the effects of climate change on people and the environment.
“Climate Ready is part of the Rudd Government’s Clean Business Australia initiative, a $240 million commitment to working in partnership with business to deliver energy and water-efficient projects with a focus on productivity and innovation.”
For further information visit AusIndusty’s website at www.ausindustry.gov.au, call the hotline 13 28 46 or email the hotline at hotline@ausindustry.gov.au
September 20th, 2008 at 12:09 am
It would be disappointing for a company such as Permo-Drive to not get the chance to access the Climate Ready grant. The Climate Ready grant is almost identical to the commercial ready grant that I have assisted clients get in the past. Permo-Drive would be an ideal candidate to receive a grant I wish them the best of luck. If the company is eventually bought out the acquiring company should consider pursing it as well.
I work for a company called Treadstone which assists companies to access Climate Ready grants, Re-Tooling for Climate Change etc.
Peter Nolle
Director
http://www.treadstone.com.au