Our clean energy future is here
LOOK UP, LOOK FORWARD, AND GET INVOLVED WITH THE ULTIMATE VISION OF WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE
THERE is a growing body of evidence showing that the pursuit of low-carbon and climate-resilient growth is a sound strategy to unlock lasting economic and social benefits.
Globally, the direction towards net zero emissions is now firmly set, however, yet to be determined is the pace and approach. Should the target be net zero by 2050 or should Australia heed the science and aim for 2036?
Can Australians work together to make the transition as smooth as possible, or will it be chaotic?
Geelong Sustainability is a not-forprofit community association and registered charity and a community member of the Committee for Geelong. It is a volunteer-led environmental organisation that’s proudly independent and apolitical. Over the last decade, members have been steadily expanding their impact locally through the consistent delivery of strong project outcomes, effective community engagement and education, wellcoordinated professional events, and evidence-based advocacy.
Some recent achievements include:
VICTORIA’S first community owned renewable energy project
This ground-breaking project is delivering excellent returns to its 20 local investors, energy savings to its aged care host site, as well as helping the environment.
COMMUNITY solar programs
The 2018 program assisted more than 220 households to go solar adding 1.2MW of solar and 1.3MW of battery storage. Geelong Sustainability’s 2021 program has engaged nearly 2000 people and resulted in over 1.6MW of solar being added to residential/ commercial buildings.
CLIMATE Safe Room Project
This innovative project retrofitted the homes of 15 residents to give them a safe haven during weather extremes.
Objective energy data guided the works and has led to significant learnings in how to cost-effectively retrofit homes. SUSTAINABLE House Day
By showcasing exemplar sustainable homes and gardens, this popular annual peer-to-peer learning event has for 13 years informed and inspired locals to live more sustainably in healthier, cosier homes that are cheaper to run. GEELONG’S first Electric Vehicle community group buy
In partnership with the Good Car Company, and through community engagement, a show ‘n’ shine expo and free test drives, Geelong Sustainability has assisted in dispelling myths surrounding electric vehicles and increased the number registered in Geelong by 40 per cent.
The Beyond Zero Emissions’ Million Jobs Plan outlines how 1.8 million jobs could be created over the next five years in renewable energy, buildings, transport, manufacturing, land use, waste management and education and training. The Million Jobs Plan estimates more than 24,000 jobs could be created in Greater Geelong. The many smart cleantech innovations in development in the Geelong region, makes it possible for Geelong to be at the forefront of, and benefit from, a world in rapid energy transition toward sustainability.
Geelong Sustainability supports the City of Greater Geelong’s science-based target of net zero emissions by 2035. Geelong Sustainability also has a community project team in the
Committee for Geelong’s Leaders for Geelong program, who are investigating how to frame a road map to net zero for Geelong.
Taking a leadership role in the move to a zero-carbon future, Geelong Sustainability is utilising a range of state government grants and has recruited staff to drive new projects;
COMMUNITY Power Hub
Funding through Sustainability Victoria is enabling Geelong Sustainability to establish a Community Power Hub for the Barwon South West region.
There are seven hubs across Victoria that will work to enable communities to develop community-scale zero carbon projects from 100 KW to 10 MW and to source investment to catalyse the transition to a clean energy future. COMMUNITY Energy Revolving Fund Geelong Sustainability is setting up a revolving fund to provide interest free loans to community groups and not-forprofits to install solar and battery systems. The repayments will be reinvested to support other community projects, perpetuating the cycle. The first project is a 5-year loan to enable 60KW of solar on the YMCA stadium in Newtown, which is expected to halve the YMCA’s annual energy costs. NEIGHBOURHOOD Battery Initiative DELWP is funding Geelong Sustainability to determine the feasibility of establishing neighbourhood batteries across Geelong to enable residents with solar to store their excess energy and draw it back as needed. A 1MW+ Neighbourhood Battery Bank would address network constraints.
Geelong Sustainability encourages everyone to look up, look forward and get involved with the ultimate aim to work collaboratively with community, government and business on the journey to decarbonise, localise and equalise our economy.
JOURNEY TO DECARBONISE, LOCALISE AND EQUALISE OUR ECONOMY.