GREAT NEWS -- on 21st September 2017 the Victorian Renewable Energy Target passed in the lower house in state parliament!
This is a historic moment for Victoria's renewable energy future. Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) will create over 10,000 jobs, attract as much as $9 billion in investment, and cut electricity sector emissions by up to 16% by 2034-35.
The lower house vote takes Victoria one step closer to jobs, cheaper power and climate action. It's a big win for the community, the labour movement, business, and everyone hungry for action on climate change.
Friends of the Earth Melbourne's Yes 2 Renewables campaign has long called for Victoria to set its own renewable energy target to create jobs and act on climate.
Now there's only one hurdle to go: the VRET will go to the upper house in the coming weeks. Read our full response here.
Keen to get involved? Yes 2 Renewables meets every Tuesday at 6pm, Friends of the Earth (Upstairs), 312 Smith St, Collingwood
#WalkThisWay with our Sustainable Cities Campaign 
Our Sustainable Cites campaign is getting started with a sponsored walk across Melbourne on October 7th with #WalkThisWay!
Beginning on the banks of the Yarra in Melbourne’s CBD and journeying through the urban spaces, park lands and communities we call call home, we'll walk 15km of Melbourne's iconic Capital City Trail to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on our city and support FoE's campaigns for social and environmental justice.
Get involved with the Sustainable Cities campaign now and SIGN UP to Walk this Way.
For more information about the event contact Jemila Rushton
[email protected] · 0426 962 506
Northcote Loves Native Forests!
The FoE forest collective is now gearing up to campaign in the upcoming Northcote by-election. Support for native forests protection is strong in Northcote so the by-election is a great opportunity for candidates to show their support for the proposed Great Forest National Park and East Gippsland's forests. We're planning on making this issue a big one for the by-election and we need your help.
For more information contact Sarah Day at [email protected]
Australia’s largest mining conference is coming to Melbourne!
Known as the International Mining and Resources Conference - 3000 attendees will gather from over 60 countries to network with 150 mining companies! We want to remind them what’s at stake.
This country needs land rights, not mining rights. We can’t let them discuss Adani and the future of coal in Australia without hearing from First Nations voices. Thousands of people across Australia want to see land rights acknowledged and the reef, climate and future energy systems protected.
Join us outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday November 1st at 1:30pm. At the same time as CEO of Adani Australia, Mr Jeyakumar Janakaraj promotes the Adani Mine inside, we will be outside showing that the community are against it.
Friends of the Earth's new forests campaign is rapidly building momentum. Earlier this month, on Threatened Species Day, we launched the Lawless Logging report that details 27 cases of logging in Victoria that has breached legal protections for rare wildlife and rainforest. We launched the report with a whole bunch of actions including:
- Personally delivering it to 10 different MPs offices
- Handing out thousands of pamphlets in key electorates
- Dropping banners at busy intersections
- Holding a rally with 150 people on the steps of Victorian parliament.
A Just Transition: Ex power workers and environmentalists join forces to street manufacturing cooperative in Latrobe Valley
On the 22nd of September, organisers of a worker-owned solar hot water manufacturing cooperative in the Latrobe Valley met to elect a new board of directors and discuss strategy for the project. Part of a long-running initiative by the Earthworker Cooperative, the AGM at the factory in Morwell marked an important step toward establishing the community-driven enterprise.
You can support the factory during this crucial time for transition in Victoria’s coal region by donating or becoming an Earthworker member, as we continue to work for community owned renewable energy manufacturing in the Latrobe Valley.
Upcoming Events
The Bentley Effect | October 03, 2017 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Siteworks, 33 Saxon Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056
The legendary Bentley Blockade is a timely story of a community's heroic stand against coal seam gas and fracking, and shows how strategic direct action and peaceful protest from a committed community can overcome industrial might and political short-sightedness.
The last screening was a sellout - so be sure to get your tickets in advance!
Check out the trailer below!
The film will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with activists and gas campaigners from across the country. We'll hear first hand stories about the success of the Lock the Gate movement and the #VicGasBan win. We'll talk about whats next in the fight to stop fracking, and how you can get involved.
TICKETS http://www.melbournefoe.org.au/bentley_effect_brunswick
For more information contact Jemila Rushton · [email protected] · 0426 962 506
#WalkThisWay | October 07, 2017 | 9:00am - 4:00pm | Beginning at Southbank Spillway - following the Melbourne Capital City trail - finish at Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy North
Join us on a sponsored walk along Melbourne's Capital City Trail to take community action on climate change and create a more liveable city.
SIGN UP
www.walkthisway.org.au
For more information contact Jemila Rushton · [email protected] · 0426 962 506
Sustainable Cities Campaign Meeting | 1st and 3rd Monday of every month | 6:00pm-8:00pm | Friends of the Earth (Upstairs), 312 Smith St, Collingwood
Interested in getting involved with our new Sustainable Cities Campaign?
The Westgate Tunnel has not yet got government approval and we need to use this moment to make sure community concerns are being heard. Anyone who wants to get involved is welcome to come along to a campaign meeting. This is a space for updates, planning, sharing/building some skills, and meeting other passionate folks! This is a space for bringing everyone together to have open, accountable and useful meetings.
Want to Quit Coal in Victoria? | Every Wednesday | 6:00pm-8:00pm | Friends of the Earth (Upstairs), 312 Smith St, Collingwood
Quit Coal are meeting regularly again!
Drop into a meeting to see what's happening next!
Community Bird Surveying | October 29, 2017 | 8:00am-10:00am | Darebin Creek
Join Friends of Darebin Creek to survey birdlife in bushland, grassland, and wetlands.
Claire from La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary will run through the survey method and help with identification of more difficult bird species. Bring solid shoes, weather appropriate clothing, and your own binoculars if possible. All levels of bird knowledge, including beginners are welcome. Followed by a cup of tea and nibbles. Data will be added to Birdlife Australia’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count.
Meeting Point: Carpark near the corner of Dougharty Road and Liberty Parade, West Heidelberg.
Bookings preferred - Contact: DCMC on 9499 4454 or email [email protected]