Mitchell Community Energy will launch its local volunteer-run energy hub at Seymour Library this Friday. 

The hub will provide independent advice and resources to help locals navigate the shift to renewable energy and highlights the urgent need for Federal Government support for Local Energy Hubs in renewable energy regions.

Mitchell Community Energy’s new hub will serve as a free resource centre where residents can receive expert guidance on reducing electricity costs, energy-efficient appliances, solar power options and government rebates. 

While this new hub is a local, volunteer effort, the group is adding its voice to a national campaign, calling on the Federal Government to resource locally-led energy hubs like theirs in renewable energy regions across Australia, to bridge the information gap between governments, industry and communities.

“Communities are taking matters into their own hands after feeling left in the dark,” says Dr Jarra Hicks, Director of Community Power Agency. 

“Groups like Mitchell Community Energy are stepping up to fill an information gap, but they shouldn’t have to do this alone. Imagine what could be achieved if the Federal Government backed these kinds of initiatives with dedicated support and resources for a nationally coordinated network of Local Energy Hubs,” Dr Hicks said.

Mitchell Community Energy has an impressive track record of advocating for and implementing local renewable energy projects, including:

• Proposing multiple community solar systems, including a 5MW solar farm.
• Successfully advocating for the replacement of gas heaters with heat pumps in local aquatic centres.
• Advocating for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and solar-shaded car parks.
• Investigating solar solutions for social housing.

“People in our community want to play an active role in the shift to renewables, but it can be overwhelming to know where to start, ” said Jeff Wilmot, Secretary of Mitchell Community Energy. 

“We fully support the call for a network of federally funded Local Energy Hubs across Australia. We’re already providing support in our community, but we’re running off volunteers. With adequate funding we could do so much more.”

Community Power Agency, RE-Alliance and Yes2Renewables have been calling on the Federal Government to fund Local Energy Hubs, which, just like the Mitchell Energy Hub, would be physical centres staffed by independent experts providing trustworthy information about renewable energy projects, technology and government programs. These hubs would help communities understand and benefit from the renewable energy transition while building trust in the process.

The launch of the Mitchell Community Energy Hub will take place at Seymour Library this Friday 28 February 2025. Community members, media and local representatives are invited to attend and learn more about how the hub will support residents in accessing affordable, clean energy solutions.

Event details 

Date: February 28th
Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6:30 p.m., official proceedings at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Seymour Library

More information on the national campaign for Local Energy Hubs can be found at localenergyhubs.org.au/about.

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For media inquiries, contact Eleanor Buckley on [email protected] or 0407613231.