Renewable Energy Action Group

​Renewable Energy Benalla, an action group of BSFG, was established following a successful community forum held in October 2016 about a renewable energy future for Benalla.  In 2017, Beyond Zero Emissions, a national think tank focussed on reducing emissions to zero, offered to help us develop a 10-year transition strategy to 100% renewables. The Benalla Stationary Energy Transition Strategy was launched at another community forum in November 2017 and REB's goal became 100% renewable stationary energy by 2028.
 
The Transition Strategy details three major steps to achieve 100% renewables:

  • Reduce energy demand by one third through energy efficiency,
  • Replace one third of grid energy with renewable resources,
  • Switch one third - build utility scale renewables and storage.
 
Since 2018 REB has been involved in the following activities:

  • Community engagement and advocacy to build momentum and support for renewable energy within the community, as well as encouraging and supporting council action.
  • Conducting energy efficiency sessions aimed at improving the thermal performance of existing houses and reducing energy demand and energy bills.
  • Investigating the possibility of establishing, for example,  a utility scale waste to energy project in Benalla and a solar garden project. 
  • Developing a set of pamphlets about: Energy Efficiency at Home; Keeping Rental Houses Comfortable and Energy Efficient; Installing Solar PV and Batteries.
  • Partnering with BZE to conduct the regional launch of BZE's “Electrifying Industry” report.
  • Liasing with Solar Farm Developers as part of their Community Involvement responsibility - including arranging guest speakers for BSFG meetings.  Monitoring the implementation of Solar Farm developments in the area.
  • Establishing the Benalla Community Energy Project,  a donation-based Community Energy Fund to make loans to community buildings to fund installation of solar panels or energy efficiency works.  Loan repayments are based on savings on energy bills.
  • Obtaining a $5000 grant from the Winton Solar Farm Community Benefit program to enable us to undertake our first Community Energy Project of installing panels on Munro Ave. kindergarten, without the need to conduct a fundraising program.
  • Completing a second Community Energy Project of installing panels on the Bernard Briggs kindergarten.
  • Meeting to investigate other options as funds are  repaid into the Community Energy Projects 'revolving' funding base. 

A website and social media presence was developed for Renewable Energy Benalla  when it  had its own committee and formal meeting structure.  REB's  website and FB page were archived in mid 2025, not because of a lack of passion, both because of a concern to integrate REB  within BSFG and pressures on volunteer availability,  The archived website can be found at https://renewable-energy-benalla.weebly.com/ & FB page at https://www.facebook.com/renewableenergybenalla#​ 
Banner Photograph - Tim Grant, from Life Cycles: LCA Experts - Sustainability Consultants , explaining to the BSFG General meeting on November 27 2025 the procedural framework for conducting Life Cycle assessments and how they can assist evaluating the environmental impacts of products and services.  - Find out more
​Benalla Sustainable Future Group acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we live, work and meet, the Taungerang, Yorta Yorta and Bpangerang people ​of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.