The Australian Government is committed to helping all Australian schools tackle the effects of climate change. In keeping with the Government's commitment to Solar Schools, a new and important initiative is being developed to improve your school's energy and water efficiency.

Under the $489 million National Solar Schools Program, every school in Australia is eligible to apply for grants of up to $50,000 to install 2 kilowatt solar panels and a range of energy efficiency measures, such as:

• solar power systems
• lighting upgrades
• sky lights
• shade awnings
• solar hot water systems, and
• rainwater tanks.

This new program represents an additional Australian Government investment of $153 million, which will allow schools to choose the most effective way to meet their energy and water efficiency goals.

We expect this new program to be in place by 1 July 2008.

Green Vouchers open for claims

Green Vouchers for Schools will remain open for claims until the new program begins. Schools can choose to claim for eligible Green Vouchers items either purchased or contracted before 1 July 2008. Amounts claimed under Green Vouchers will be deducted from a school's entitlement under the new National Solar Schools Program.

Given the flexibility of the new program, you may wish to reconsider your schools options before claiming under the Green Vouchers program.

The Australian Government is keen to support schools in developing energy and water efficiency initiatives. This new and more flexible program is designed with the individual needs of schools in mind. We look forward to helping you take practical action to tackle climate change, use energy and water more efficiently, and to save money in your school.

• Register for Green Vouchers
• Claiming your Green Voucher

Community Water Grants

What types of projects are eligible?

Your project must engage your local community and have clear public benefits to be eligible. As well as strong community participation, your project must:

• involve practical, on-ground activities that save, recycle or improve the health of water resources
• incorporate the promotion of wise water use, and
• comply with relevant planning, health and environmental regulations and guidelines.

Community Water Grants are only available to projects within Australia.

Project categories

Grants will be awarded to projects in the following categories:

Water savings and efficiency

Types of projects in this category may include (but are not limited to):

• Improving water efficiency in community buildings, such as schools, clubs, halls
• Improving town water supply to reduce losses from evaporation or leakage
• Installing tanks to store harvested rainwater
• Installing water saving devices in community facilities
• Capping bores
• Implementing low flow irrigation systems

Water reuse and recycling

Types of projects in this category may include (but are not limited to):

• Using greywater, treated effluent or stormwater, where appropriate, to flush toilets, suppress dust and maintain community grounds and sporting fields

Water treatment

These projects improve surface and groundwater health. Types of projects in this category may include (but are not limited to):

• Erosion control
• Stormwater and runoff treatment
• Cleaning up a waterway, creek or wetland
• Reducing pollution in rivers, groundwater or coastal areas

The Women's Weekly Environmental Heroes Awards awards $10,000 each month for the next ten months.