Communities across Australia are stepping up to steer their regions towards the opportunities of the energy transition. 

We are excited to support these new leaders with the campaigning skills and resources they need.

If you are excited to learn more about renewables transition and ready to make change this free leadership training programme is for you.

By Wendy Farmer, Gippsland Community Organiser

When it comes to renewable energy, the small community of Heyfield three hours east of Melbourne has big ambitions.

A little known fact about Heyfield is the community of one thousand homes has led the way in household solar with the highest installation of household solar per capita in Australia. In a recent poll in the local community, they found that: 83.8% would like to see Heyfield powered by 100% renewable energy. I was invited into Heyfield as the community discussed a feasibility study into a microgrid along with looking at a business model for the town.

Today the federal Albanese and Victorian Andrews governments have announced a landmark energy deal that will rapidly accelerate the state’s renewable energy transition and help kickstart offshore wind.

The $2.25 billion deal will finance the creation of six “renewable energy zones” to connect new wind and solar projects to the grid, including offshore wind off the coast of Gippsland.

As the world grapples with the climate crisis, the need to transform our energy systems is only becoming more urgent. In Australia, unions have been at the centre of campaigns for a ‘just transition' to ensure this transition delivers good outcomes for workers and the community.

On the 16th of September 202, several unions, government representatives and environmental groups came together at the Victorian Trades Hall in Carlton for the conference Hitting Targets: A union agenda for a sustainable future. Yes2Renewables collective member Milly attended the conference, which covered key policy levers unions are using to shape the climate agenda.

Victoria's Gippsland region has been announced as the country's first Offshore Wind Zone, marking the beginning of a whole new industry. Kickstarting offshore wind in Gippsland will bring thousands of new jobs to the region, generate local investment, a new source of renewable energy and deliver deep emissions cuts.

Long home to the state's coal fired power stations and the offshore oil and gas sector, Gippsland is a region in transition. Offshore wind presents a new opportunity to action on climate and deliver real benefits to communities and workers.

Today, power company AGL has announced it will bring forward closure dates for the Loy Yang A coal fired power station in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley by ten years to 2035.

It is the second time this year AGL has announced earlier closure dates for its ageing coal fleet, after announcing Loy Yang A would close by 2045.

“It is hard to trust this announcement from AGL. The changing messages from the power generators is a wakeup call that we need to prepare for early closure” said Wendy Farmer, Gippsland Community Organiser for Friends of the Earth.

Just one day after the federal Parliament passed the Albanese government’s emissions reduction target of 43% by 2030, Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced consultation will begin immediately on Australia’s first offshore wind zone off the Gippsland coast.

The announcement comes after years of delay on offshore wind by the previous federal Coalition government.

Environment organisation Friends of the Earth has welcomed the news, and says kickstarting an offshore wind sector in Gippsland will be a game changer for action on climate change while creating thousands of new job opportunities and a new source of energy.

After years of delays and inaction the Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen is set to accelerate offshore wind for Gippsland, which has been designated the first region in the country to develop offshore wind.

Environment organisation Friends of the Earth has welcomed the news, and says kickstarting an offshore wind sector in Gippsland will be a game changer for the state’s efforts on climate change while creating thousands of new job opportunities.