The Transition Strategy developed by Beyond Zero Emissions and Renewable Energy Benalla included information on Benalla's greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. This data collected for 2016 establishes a baseline against which progress in reducing emissions and moving towards 100% renewable energy can be measured.

In 2016, emissions relating to stationary energy for Benalla were 189,785 tonnes CO2-e. Total energy use between 2012 and 2016 increased by 2.7%, representing a 3% increase in electricity consumption and 2% increase in gas use.

In 2016 the industrial sector was the largest consumer of electricity at 48%, compared to 33% residential and 19% commercial. Similarly, the industrial sector consumed 63% of gas, the residential sector 29% and the commercial sector 8%. Industrial electricity is the sector contributing the largest to Benalla’s GHG profile.

The number of households in Benalla Rural City rose from 6,343 in 2012 to 6,517 in 2016. During this time electricity consumption per household per day reduced from 18.3 kWh to 17.9 kWh.

Some major points from the Benalla Baseline Emissions Report show that within the Benalla municipality in 2016:

• 1.07 million GJ energy was used
• 189,785 tonnes CO2-e was produced
• Approximately $32 million was spent on stationary energy by the community
• The community spent approximately $2,389 per person on stationary energy

Originally Published in the December 2017 BSFG Newsletter.

In October REB held a Benalla Business Breakfast with the support of Benalla Rural City, and the Benalla Business Network. The purpose of the breakfast was to open up communication with the business community about a renewable energy future for Benalla. Key elements of the BZE transition plan for Benalla were presented as were key findings from the Energy Survey of Benalla Businesses. It was also an opportunity for local businesses to share their experiences of reducing their energy use and/or generating some or all of their energy needs. Information was also provided on funding options and grants available to businesses to assist with costs of implementing options to reduce energy use and/or generate energy.

Transition Strategy

REB has been working with Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) to develop a ten year transition strategy for Benalla to achieve 100% renewable energy. This transition plan was completed in November and details
three key strategies that need to be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve zero net energy. These strategies are:
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i) Energy efficiency measures to reduce energy use,
ii) Promote and install local roof top solar,
iii) Investigate utility scale renewables,battery storage and micro grids.

On 28th November, Renewable Energy Benalla and Beyond Zero Emissions, with support from Benalla
Rural City Council, held a community forum and workshop to launch the transition strategy and to explore opportunities for energy efficiency, roof top solar, bulk buy programs, community energy projects and the potential for utility scale renewable energy. As a result of this workshop a number of community members volunteered to form small action groups to help Renewable Energy Benalla implement each of the three strategies mentioned above.

John Lloyd

Source:  BSFG December Newsletter 2017

Permaculture as a design system has been around for over 40 years now, a product of the collaboration between Bill Mollison and David Holmgren.  In terms of strategies and techniques there was very little that was new, in fact Mollison himself is known to have said repeatedly, "There is nothing new in Permaculture!"  Indeed these strategies and techniques have been around for a long time, often centuries or millennia.

What was and still is new about Permaculture is the bringing together of all these strategies and techniques into a Functional Design system. But even then, defining Permaculture is a nigh impossible task.

Some colleagues and I were asked the question, "How would you explain Permaculture to a non Permaculture type person?" It is often said that if you ask five Beekeepers the same question, you will get six different answers, possibly more, and sometimes the same is true for Permaculturists. Discussing this it became evident that there are many viewpoints as to the make up of Permaculture, each predicated on an individual's needs and experiences.

This is of course as it should be. Permaculture is such a flexible design system that it presents what is needed to each situation and thus also presents differing experiences and perceptions to individuals. And therein lies the challenge - how to express such a versatile and powerful concept to those with no Permaculture knowledge or experience.

One of my colleagues then offered, "It's how you think". Hmm.  Ponder.,,  

And that is the key. Permaculture is a design system using Ethics and Principles to formulate a series of Tactics, Strategies and Techniques to achieve the desired result. BUT, it requires a different way of thinking. The world is still following one form of thinking; economy, fossil fuels, compartmentalisation, and so on. To change all that, we need to change our thinking. And that's where Permaculture comes in.
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Permaculture is often seen as a way of gardening, something beyond organic gardening. This is quite understandable as Permaculture started out primarily as an agricultural design system based on observing and using nature's inherent design. Given that life on earth is dependant on energy that ultimately comes from the sun, plants and therefore gardening are a vital link in the chain of converting the sun's energy into a form that we can use - fruit, herbs, vegetables, and so on.

But the Permaculture Design System is capable of much more than that, it can also be used to design tangible structures such as houses, infrastructures such as transport and communications, and intangible structures such as communities and financial systems.

Warwick Bone,
​Benalla Permaculture 

This action group of BSFG has been fairly active in the last few months making upcycled fabric bags in an effort to encourage the use of reusable bags and to create a thought process about our consumption of plastics.  An enthusiastic and passionate team have been hard at work sourcing unwanted clean fabric; cutting fabric to size; and then sewing the bags. Working bees have been held fortnightly at the Drill Hall.

The next session will be held on 19th December from 12.30pm until 3.30pm

All are welcome. No sewing skills are necessary as we also require cutters, ironers, and fabric matchers.

We had a very successful sell day at the BSFG stall at the Day in the Gardens Market and we continue to sell the bags for $5 each. Any monies raised will go back in to the project to support our plastic reduction goal.

I would like to thank the local businesses that are stocking the bags. These businesses are One Wild Apple Cafe, Leading Edge Books, Blooms on Bridge, Samaria Farm and the BSFG Bulk Food Co-op. If you know of any other business that would be interested in selling them please let me know.

The next BSFG General meeting is at 7.30pm on Thursday December 14 in the Meeting Room in the Uniting Church, Carrier Street Benalla, opposite the Coles car park.

Our guest speaker for is Warwick Bone (Woz) from Benalla Permaculture.  Woz has advised the topic of his talk is “What on earth is Permaculture”?  He will give a brief introduction into the functional design system we know as Permaculture and how it can be used to develop solutions to the global and local problems we currently face.

This will be an interesting evening for anyone concerned about down to earth solutions to these local and global problems.  Benalla Permaculture is a Permaculture Victoria group.  The group has a busy schedule of activities which can be followed at Facebook Groups.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting after which a light supper will be available.

Peter Maddock
Secretary
0418 135 330