Marie Lakey and Taryn Lane
In July this year, Hepburn Wind received funding to deliver the Hepburn Branch of the Grampians Community Power Hub, which is led by Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE). (The Community Power Hubs are Sustainability Victoria programs, funded by the State Government of Victoria.) This has been a game-changer for our work, boosting our time to support community groups, organisations, and not-for-profits that want to grow renewables and save money.
This is excellent news for our community and our climate as our Hepburn Branch activities can help us reduce emissions and make headway on our Hepburn Z-NET targets.
So how can you get involved and help our Shire act on climate change?
Join the Community Energy Forum
The Grampians Community Power Hub (CPH) will be hosting their Community Energy Forum on September 29 at 7.30pm.
This forum will demystify what’s involved in community energy projects by bringing together presenters with real experience in the space. Each speaker will be sharing their stories and identify some of the dos and don’ts of community energy projects.
BREAZE board member, Paul Duggan, will be hosting the event, with guest presenters, including:
- Taryn Lane: Hepburn Wind General Manager
- Ian Rossiter: Member of the Ballarat Community Power Hub Pilot in 2017-2020
- Edwin Irvine: President of Natimuk Community Energy
- Eddy Ostarcevic: Committee member of the St Arnaud Community Energy Group.
If you would like to attend and get inspired, make sure you register via Eventbrite here.
Save your small business money and energy
Small businesses could save money and energy through the Small Business Energy Saver program from Sustainability Victoria. This program is helping eligible small businesses receive a discount of up to 85% off the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.
The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA) has partnered with Sustainability Victoria to deliver this service across the Loddon Mallee and Grampians Region (including the Hepburn Shire).
So what can the program discount?
- Replacing inefficient electric hot water systems.
- Replacing inefficient gas hot water systems.
- Upgrading to efficient room reverse cycle air-conditioners.
- Installing energy-efficient refrigerator display cabinets.
- Installing energy-efficient fridges and freezers.
- Installing energy-efficient refrigeration and ventilation fans and motors.
- Installing water-efficient pre-rinse spray valves.
To be eligible: Your small business must have between 1-19 (full-time equivalent) employees, be located on commercial premises, be located in the Loddon Mallee or the Grampians region and (unfortunately) not be a primary producer.
Register here to see if you can benefit!
Send us your community energy projects!
We want to hear from you if you’re interested in solar, batteries, or energy efficiency for a community or not-for-profit organisation based in the Hepburn Shire. We can support you with project planning, finding and applying for funding and implementing your project.
If you are interested, fill in the EOI form linked here.
Marie Lakey is the Communications Officer and Taryn Lane is the Manager of Hepburn Wind.
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