Eve Lamb
A survey conducted by Castlemaine’s West End Resilience group indicates a high level of enthusiasm for community-based energy solutions towards reducing carbon emissions.
Members of the home-grown energy group say they’re are now looking into sustainable energy solutions that are accessible for all West Enders including tenants, home-owners and businesses, and also community initiatives including battery storage.
“To guide this work, we conducted a short neighbourhood survey to gather the views of the whole West End community on local energy generation, efficiency and storage,” the group’s Ilka White says.
The survey was conducted late last year and earlier this year with Castlemaine’s Bridge Hotel sponsoring a survey participation prize.
The Bridge’s Pat Furze is now looking to install solar panels on the pub’s roof in a process he expects to be completed by this time next year.
“We received 120 responses to the survey, representing around 20 per cent of West End households,” Ilka says.
“Some of the survey results were surprising in lovely ways.
“For example, when asked what the greatest value of neighbourhood-scale energy solutions would be, the top three responses were reducing carbon emissions, working together for a positive outcome for the community, and supporting more vulnerable members of the community.
“People indicated that we (WER) could be a conduit for information on renewable technology and financial incentives and link people with other groups involved in energy transitions at the household level.
“There was also strong support for a community battery and working to remove legislative constraints on new ways to transition.”
Resident Hywel Stoakes was the lucky winner of the Bridge Hotel prize, a $100 voucher to enjoy at the venue which is supportive of WER’s work.
“I really welcomed the opportunity to participate in the survey and I’m keen to learn more about the group’s activities,” Hywel said.
Ilka says the group is now preparing to host a household energy saving workshop at the West End Hall later this month.
It’s also exploring neighbourhood battery options and collating resources for a web page to help locals who are keen to reduce their energy bill and their carbon footprint into the bargain.
