Melton youth to benefit from $2.5 million renewable energy fund

Young people in Melton and surrounding areas will soon be able to benefit from new programs to gain skills and further education thanks to SEC and GreenPoint Energy’s $2.5 million Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH) Community Benefit Fund.

Applications for the fund, which provides $100,000 each year over 25 years, opened today and will close on 26 June. The fund will allocate $75,000 per annum towards the MREH Youth Futures Program with the remaining $25,000 to be provided as smaller community grants.

The two-stream funding model reflects community feedback that local residents wanted to direct the funding towards the creation of long-term impact initiatives and ongoing opportunities for Melton and nearby areas, including Plumpton, Hillside, Diggers Rest, Fraser Rise and Sydenham.

Lane Crockett, SEC Executive General Manager, Assets, said a MREH Youth Futures program will partner with local organisations and support young people in Melton and surrounding areas.

“During our community consultation period, we heard that the top priority was for consistent, ongoing support for young people, not one-off activities.

“In response, our fund will support programs to help young people through education, skills development and mentorship,” said Mr Crockett.

The fund will also support small community grants for initiatives that strengthen community connection, participation and sustainability.

“By focusing on the community’s top priorities, we can contribute to initiatives that leave a lasting legacy, empower local organisations, and give residents a voice in shaping their neighbourhoods,” said Mr Crockett.

Roby Camagong, Director of GreenPoint Energy, a subsidiary of Equis, said that working alongside the Melton community helps ensure programs are practical, locally driven, and sustainable.

“The insights shared by residents are invaluable. They guide us to design initiatives that respond to real needs and deliver tangible benefits for the community,” said Mr Camagong.

Details on the feedback from the community consultation undertaken during November and December 2025 are detailed in a What We Heard report.

More information on the available MREH grants, including how you can apply, can be found here.