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Hi ,
Welcome to your monthly update from Geelong Sustainability.
In this edition:
- Sustainable House Day 2022 - save the date & call for volunteers
- September Green Drinks: Induction Cooktop Demonstration
- Geelong Sustainability news and updates
- Local sustainability events
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Sustainable House Day 2022 - Save the Date
Each year in October Geelong Sustainability hosts Sustainable House Day, in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong. The event showcases the region’s exemplar sustainable homes, and hosts seminars discussing popular topics surrounding home building and renovation. The event will run on the 15 & 16 October.
This year’s focus areas for Saturday’s seminars are retrofitting, getting off gas, and sustainable homes: Buy, Build or Renovate. We will have nine homes open on Sunday throughout Geelong, Golden Plains, Surf Coast, Bellarine and Queenscliffe. Look out for further information later in September.
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We are seeking expressions of interest for volunteers for 2 or 4 hour shifts on Sunday 16th October between 9:45am and 5pm. You’ll be volunteering at one of the Open Homes, helping with duties like checking in visitors, directing people while they wait for home tours, and guiding home tours.
Volunteering will give you free entry to all events throughout the weekend including Saturday’s seminars! To sign up and for more information, please complete this form. We can’t wait to see you there!
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Our next Green Drinks is set to be an exciting hands-on learning experience, where we will be demonstrating the efficiency of an induction cooktop by cooking up some delicious food. We will also be raffling off a portable induction cooktop!
When: Wednesday 28 September 5:30-7:00pm
Where: Beavs Bar, 77-79 Little Malop St, Geelong
Cost: Gold coin entry, drinks at bar prices, raffle tickets available
Tickets Here
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We are pleased to announce our next community solar project, a 20kW solar system at Freshwater Creek Steiner School. The project is funded by the Geelong Sustainability Community Energy Revolving Fund which was established to help not-for-profit organisations access renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The solar system will be installed during the September school holidays by Vortex Electrical.
Freshwater Creek Steiner School Head of School Gabby Brennan says “Geelong Sustainability has helped our school realise a long held dream to generate our own solar electricity and reduce our environmental impact and CO2 emissions. This will help us reduce our energy bills so we can invest our precious resources in the children’s education.”
To support this project, and others like it, donate today at our Community Energy Revolving Fund page.
If you know of any not-for-profit organisations interested in installing solar or energy efficiency upgrades please contact us to discuss how our Community Energy Revolving Fund can help. Email us at renewableenergy@geelongsustainability.org.au
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Neighbourhood Battery Feasibility Study
The last year has seen Geelong Sustainability deliver a large number of renewable energy projects, among them the Neighbourhood Battery Feasibility Study. This DELWP-funded study looked into the possibility of installing a battery in Geelong and surrounds, and what that might look like.
The project has recently wrapped up, with the final report submitted mid-August. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Mark Borroni and Karina Donkers, who both worked tirelessly on the project and ensured that all avenues were explored, with no stone left unturned. The study highlighted many complexities and challenges with neighbourhood batteries and at this time Geelong Sustainability has determined they are not feasible for us to pursue, however the study has made a number of recommendations regarding how that situation can be improved in the future.
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Single-use Plastic Business Engagement
From February 2023 a number of single-use items will be banned in Victoria, such as plastic straws, cutlery and plates. This is a huge win for our circular economy vision, and we’ve been engaged by Sustainability Victoria to speak with businesses in the area and ensure they’re aware of, and ready for, the ban.
Welcome to our newest staff member, Jess Hobbs, who has been out and about visiting hospitality businesses to discuss how they manage their plastic use, and what the alternatives are. Jess has already visited over 100 businesses across the region and found many great examples like Ocean Grind Torquay (pictured), who are truly leading the way towards a zero-waste approach to hospitality.
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Throughout the last few months, Geelong Sustainability staff and volunteers have been participating in a working group for the Geelong Real Deal. This Sydney University-led project is a coming together of community organisations, faith groups and unions, with a shared goal of listening - really listening - to Geelong residents speak about their true and lived experiences.
We will gather stories surrounding the huge transitions that Geelong has undergone, and how it has affected the community and our hopes for the future given the energy transition ahead of us. From this listening we will jointly decide upon the action we will take together to secure a future which benefits all of us. If you’re interested in volunteering in the listening process, please reach out to Emilie at emilie@geelongsustainability.org.au.
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We are incredibly passionate about what we do. We love bringing exciting renewable energy projects to the region; advocating for our city to be more sustainable; reducing the waste output of Geelong; and taking definitive and meaningful action on climate change.
We feel so privileged to be able to do all of this, and we are so thankful to you - our members, donors and supporters - for enabling us to do such incredibly important work.
If you would like to contribute to enhanced sustainability outcomes for the Geelong region, one of the most effective things you can do is become a Geelong Sustainability member or make a tax-deductible donation to our charity. Thank you for your support!
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Last week, Geelong local Mik Aidt returned from a few weeks in his home country Denmark, where it became apparent that the Danes are doing some incredible things to combat climate change. You can read and hear more about his experience on the Sustainable Hour podcast website.
The Sustainable Hour is streamed live on the Internet and broadcasted on FM airwaves in the Geelong region every Wednesday from 11am to 12pm (Melbourne time).
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Claim your $250 Power Saving Bonus by comparing your household energy offer on the Victorian Energy Compare website.
The process is simple:
1. Visit Victorian Energy Compare via compare.energy.vic.gov.au
2. Compare your energy offer
3. Get $250 in your pocket
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Author of “Humanity’s Moment: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope” Joëlle Gergis shows us that the solutions we need to live sustainably already exist - we just need the social movement and political will to create a better world.
When: Wednesday 21 September 7:30-8:30pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Cost: Free; bookings required
RSVP: https://events.grlc.vic.gov.au/event/6810768
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Solar Victoria is offering a $1,400 rebate (and an additional $1,400 interest-free loan) to any landlords who are looking to put solar panels on their investment property. The program allows for the renter(s) to contribute up to $15 a month (half the payback amount) to pay off the loan, which will almost certainly leave them cash-positive through their energy savings.
This structure allows renters to reduce their energy bills, landlords to increase the value of their property, and both parties to work together to reduce carbon emissions through the installation of renewable energy.
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The Victorian Government is helping Victorian households improve their thermal comfort by offering rebates to upgrade gas, electric and wood heaters with energy efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners. A reverse-cycle air conditioner is one of the most cost-effective and energy-efficient ways to provide heating and cooling for your home in one system, for year-round comfort.
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Over 150 people gathered at Edwards Point recently calling for the state government to legislate town boundaries in order to preserve the region’s natural beauty and liveability by Protecting the Bellarine.
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Do you have a home sustainability project you’re working on and need some professional assistance? Are you keen to see what innovative local businesses are up to? Head to our Sustainability Directory to find local businesses who are leading the way in doing things better.If you’re a sustainable business in the Geelong region, head to our website to apply for a Sustainability Directory listing today.
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