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Link to Interview with Mitchell Dye
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Link to Bellarine Ward Forum
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Geelong Community Solar Information Session - 27 May 2021

Council acknowledges the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners of this land and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are part of the Greater Geelong community today.

  • Hello everyone, it’s so great to see how many people are interested in being part of the region’s largest community solar and battery program!
  • You’re obviously all here because you care about the environment and you’re interested in doing your bit to increase the share of renewable energy being used in this region.
  • Well done on making the decision to come along, and if you think the options presented tonight work for you, I certainly encourage you to jump on board.
  • A big thank you to Geelong Sustainability for spearheading this ‘clever and creative’ initiative, as well as other community organisations doing work in this space, because your actions are driving important change at the grassroots level.
  • Giving community members the tools to lower their energy costs, do their bit to create a greener future and remain self-sufficient, is a positive step towards reducing carbon emissions in Greater Geelong.
  • This program also supports local businesses which have been hit hard by the pandemic, leading to a boost in our region’s economy.
  • I’m proud to be here to support this important initiative, because it aligns with council’s strategic priorities of ‘Sustainable growth and environment’ and having a ‘Healthy, caring and inclusive community’ in our draft Our Community Plan.
  • This program also reflects key priorities in the Sustainability Framework Action Plan to support the community to reduce carbon emissions and to work with others to promote and educate about sustainable practices.
  • The action plan brings the Sustainability Framework to life, which ensures environmental, social and financial sustainability is at the forefront of every decision by council and the City.
  • Because we’re in a room filled with environmental conscious people, I’ll take the opportunity to share some of the actions the Council is carrying out to reduce our own emissions and protect the environment.
  • We’ve driven the Victorian Energy Collaboration, Australia’s largest ever buying group with 45 other Victorian councils to switch to buildings and streetlights to 100 per cent renewable energy. The program will see carbon emission reductions equivalent to taking 90,000 cars off the road each year;
  • Around 30 City buildings now have solar panels, including the Highton Child and Family Hub which is effectively the City’s first operational zero carbon building;
  • We’re in the process of converting about 25,000 streetlights to energy-efficient LEDs, saving more than 8,000 tonnes of emissions each year;
  • The City is aiming for all City-managed operations to be carbon neutral by 2025; and
  • The Zero Carbon Buildings Program has delivered LED lighting upgrades at several of our sport, recreation and culture facilities.
  • Council’s proud to keep supporting the community environmental initiatives such as this, through:
  • Community garden establishment and environmental sustainability grants;
  • Partnering with community groups like Geelong Sustainability and the Repair café to establish projects; and
  • Supporting community clean-up activities by providing a skip bin and disposing of the waste collected.
  • I’m sure today’s session will be very informative. Enjoy.

Various photos of Jim Mason
I acknowledge that the Land I work on, live on and play on is the Traditional Lands of the Wadawurrung People. I pay my respects and homage to Wadawurrung Elders, both past and present, to all Wadawurrung people and to all Australia's First Nation's people.