Category Archives: Political Engagement

Come and be truly inspired. Matt Charles Jones, co – chair of TRY (Totally renewable Yackandandah) is coming to Pambula beach to discuss how a small volunteer group is powering their small town with 100% renewable energy, aiming for energy sovereignty by 2022.

Yackandandah is a small town in northeast Victoria, home to around 1,800; but with a big reputation on the renewables scene.

The Social Justice Advocates ‘Forces for Nature’ sub group welcomes anyone interested in community run renewable energy and moving towards a fossil fuel-free energy future.

When: Sunday 27th October
Time: 4pm onwards
Where: Lumen Catholic school – Pambula Beach Road

Background:
Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) was launched in 2014 with the ambitious goal of attaining “energy sovereignty” for the town by 2022 through 100% renewables. The group has been working to improve energy efficiency and install solar and battery systems across the community. To date, TRY has added more than 550kW of solar PV to the Yackandandah area, along with 160 Ubi controllers that provide real time data to users about their energy consumption habits. The controllers also form an important part of the town’s “mini-grid. More than 40% of the town’s rooftops now boast solar panels.

Yackandandah just keeps kicking goals in the sustainability area and
has in its sights establishing a community energy retailer, and it’s currently offering a solar hot water bulk buy deal for residents.

TRY won the Saving Energy category of the Community Innovators Awards at the Rural Councils of Victoria Summit. Last year, it scooped up the Banksia Foundation’s 2017 Sustainable & Resilient Communities Award.

Contact – Wendy Wait SJA Convenor Forces for Nature
ph/ 0428 450 348

Tathra’s school hall was packed on Tuesday February 19 for a meeting hosted by CEFE President and Tathra resident Dr Matthew Nott to examine the feasibility and impact of 100% renewable energy for Tathra, the Bega valley and Eden Monaro and to learn how the target could be achieved. Guest speakers included BVSC Mayor Kristie McBain, former Liberal leader Dr John Hewson, Professor Andrew Blakers from ANU’s Centre for Sustainable Energy, and Martin Poole CEO of Epuron, a company that has been instrumental in rolling out wind and solar farms across the country. The tone of the meeting was one of great optimism, with the unstoppable growing competitiveness of renewable energy coupled with people power making the 100% by 2030 entirely achievable. The meeting got a sneak preview of CEFE’s most ambitious ever human sign project – communities across Australia spelling out RENEWABLE ENERGY NOW; MAKE THE SWITCH NOW; 100% RENEWABLES…IMAGINE. The 3 minute video is expected to go viral on social media once it is launched as part of an upcoming ABC Four Corners program. The meeting also heard from a number of the candidates for the upcoming State and Federal elections.

At the conclusion of the meeting a resolution that Tathra adopts the target of 100% Renewable Energy by 2030, and that the Tathra water tower sign be updated with this sign was passed unanimously.

9.30 on Sunday February 24

Sign writer Gavin Martin (who donated his services) and CEFE’s Prue Kelly with the sign completed

CEFE President Dr Matthew Nott is presenting at this years Canberra Urban and Regional Futures Annual Forum to be held at ANU on Thursday November 30 on the topic ‘Tathra Community Power’

Professor Andrew Blakers (pictured) will present the keynote ‘100% Renewable Energy Futures’ to open the forum at 9.25 am.

You can download the full program here