By Tanya Steele
A large community energy hub was paid a visit by the Minister for Energy and Resources on Wednesday 29 January.
Resilience in the face of a new normal was the theme at the energy resilience hub at Cockatoo when Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio visited to announce the completion of the $7.5 million Energy Resilience Solutions (ERS) program.
Local resident and member of the Over 50s group in Cockatoo Dot Griffin said It was wonderful to be there on the day and to see the stakeholders that have made the project possible.
“This project will be appreciated by residents when a disaster strikes,” she said.
“We have become so reliant on electricity and our phones and this project will allow people who lose their power to be able to come here and be able to have showers, receive warm food, wash their clothes and charge their phones to be able to contact others.”
There are now 24 community energy hubs across Victoria that are equipped with solar panels, batteries and generators that provide power backup during a severe storm event and help to keep essential services running during prolonged power outages.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said that by investing in local energy solutions and acting on the lessons of past outages, we’re ensuring stronger protections for local communities that experience power outages.
The energy hubs are located in high-risk areas for severe weather impacts like the Yarra Ranges, Gippsland, Dandenong Ranges and along the Great Ocean Road.
The Minister was joined by local Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martin, representatives from Cardinia Shire Council and Yarra Ranges Council, DEECA, Selectronic Australia, the over 50’s Cockatoo Club and more were present to celebrate the completion of the project.
The hubs have already been helpful, with systems running in nearby towns like Emerald and Gembrook during the storms last February.
They give communities a safe place to gather, charge devices, heat food, get hot water, and stay connected in emergencies.
The hubs also reduce the need for diesel generators, helping local councils save on energy costs.
Cardinia Mayor Jack Kowarzik said in his address that February 13 last year didn’t feel like too long ago for him and called the backup hub a ‘game changer’.
Representatives from Selectronic Australia Samir Jacob and Rosie Anderson were present for the celebration. Their company has installed over 50 per cent of the battery inverters for the project,working with other local providers to deliver the final product..
People can find more information on energy resilience programs and the network outage review, at: energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/community-hubs-energy-backup-systems.
