Benalla's Renewable Energy Future

A Community Forum was held in October to discuss a future clean energy plan for Benalla. Ninety people attended to hear about the benefits of community owned renewable energy and to hear how other towns were planning for a renewable energy future.

Community renewable energy projects strengthen local economies by:

• developing renewable energy industries,
• providing jobs and training and
• keeping the financial benefits within the local community.

Such projects also educate people about renewable energy and involve them in creating a sustainable lowcarbon future. The Victorian Government is encouraging local communities to transition to a clean energy future and have established the New Energy Jobs Fund to support communities across Victoria that would like to initiate renewable energy projects.

Following presentations by the guest speakers, attendees were asked to form small groups to discuss what they saw as the key opportunities and challenges of exploring a renewable energy project for Benalla.  Groups recorded their ideas which will be used as the basis for planning a renewable energy future for Benalla.

A Renewable Energy Working Party has been formed to progress the project of developing a future renewable energy plan for Benalla and has established the following key objectives:
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• Improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use in Benalla.
• Promote awareness and support for renewable energy by the Benalla community and Council.
• Develop a Future Energy plan for Benalla.
• Encourage significant increase in local energy generation in Benalla.
• Increase and keep the financial benefits of renewable energy generation locally.

A submission for funding to support this project will be made to the Victorian government's New Energy Jobs Fund. The second funding round is now open and will close on March 1st .

​John Lloyd

Source:   BSFG Newsletter, December 2016