Solar panels were installed on five Stawell buildings and all of the town’s street lights were fitted with LED lighting. 

Northern Grampians Shire Councillor Kevin Erwin said council was at a reasonable cash position. 

“Credit to the financial team, we have done a lot of other measures throughout the last few years in terms of solar panels, LED lighting and water savings,” he said. 

Water used on town ovals from catchments and dams have also saved council $100,000 each year. 

“This shows this council has been very proactive in trying to save money for the future and it is good to see these positive initiatives take off now and set up good pathways for the future too,” Cr Erwin said.

Council also saved $27,000 in staff functions, $25,000 in encouraging email correspondence, instead of postal, $11,000 in stationary costs, $9000 in councillor functions and $6500 in catering budgets.

Cr Karen Hyslop said council had made clever and savvy savings across the board. 

“I am very impressed about the savings that can be made by the fact that we can encourage people to email and get their rates by email instead of postal, which makes a saving of $25,000,” she said.

“There is still more room for savings to be made and will get us into an even greater position.”

Northern Grampians Shire Council infrastructure and environment director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said these were pleasing results. 

“These are really good savings and we need to continue along that path,” he said.