Question 1

How do councils join this program?

Accepted Answer

To join in and start offering local businesses affordable environmental finance, councils need to cover off delegations, training, documentation, legislative requirements, risk management and application processes. Contact us to find out how to get started.

Question 2

Do councils have to work with BBF?

Accepted Answer

No, BBF is a third-party administration service for councils. BBF’s expert team guide councils through the whole process of joining this program, and then administering the loans for them. They can otherwise choose to self-administer and do it themselves.

Question 3

Which councils do BBF work with?

Accepted Answer

BBF work with the vast majority of participating councils in Victoria and NSW. Check out the full list of our council partners here.(https://sustainableaustraliafund.com.au/where-its-available/)

Question 4

Why should councils join in?

Accepted Answer

There are many great reasons councils should consider this program, including:
 
 • Helping to reduce community CO2 emissions 
 • Helping to increase investment in renewables
 • Stimulating economic activity and increasing business profitability
 • Keeping the benefits within the municipality
 • Unlock government grants and rebates

Question 5

Why engage Better Building Finance?

Accepted Answer

As an expert, Better Building Finance provides independent third-party services that are designed to make it easy for council to establish and run an EUA program.
 • BBF is a market leader with over a decade of experience 
 • BBF is a trusted provider for over 50 councils 
 • BBF has expert knowledge of legislation throughout Australia 
 • BBF provides standardised service for lenders, owners and councils
 • BBF helps councils reduce and manage associated risks
 • BBF helps maintain continuity of service for councils
 • BBF helps minimise administrative costs for council
 • BBF provides its services for free to councils
 • Councils are paid a signing fee and annual admin fee for each EUA signed

As of late 2021, BBF has help its Council Partners deliver the following outcomes and benefits for local businesses:
 • Over $40 million has been invested via 123 projects
 • Over 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) will be abated over the life of all the projects
 • Over 10,000 kW of renewables have been installed
 • Businesses will save over $100 million as a result of the upgrade projects funded

Question 6

What are the costs to council?

Accepted Answer

While there is an administrative component to this program, BBF handles a lot of it for council, and does so at no upfront cost.

Question 7

How do I find out more?

Accepted Answer

Get in touch with our team and we can arrange a time to chat to your teams about whether this is the right move for you.