More than 65 organisations have issued an Open Letter to Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, urging the Federal Government to urgently fund a network of Local Energy Hubs across Australia.
From community groups to peak environment and industry bodies, the signatories are united in their call for a practical solution in rural and regional communities where renewable energy projects are being proposed or built, often without adequate information or support.
Read the Open Letter below:
"Dear Minister Bowen,
The recent federal election result was a resounding endorsement of the Government’s plan to transform our energy system from polluting fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise regional economies, create thousands of jobs, and meet the Government's net zero target.
But the way things are being done right now is putting this goal at risk.
Communities in rural and regional areas where the shift to renewables is taking place are increasingly frustrated. People are crying out for trusted information about what this change means for them, and how they can have their say about what is happening where they live.
This is fueling growing opposition to renewable energy projects. Many are experiencing significant delays and cost blow-outs; some have been scrapped altogether. It’s clear that investing in and engaging communities isn't a barrier to building renewable energy, it's a precondition for it.
That’s why we have been calling on the Federal Government to fund a network of 50 Local Energy Hubs in renewable energy regions, to provide vital information and support to communities navigating renewable energy, from the small stuff to the big stuff.
These hubs would be outreach centres staffed by trusted locals where people could go to understand big energy projects in their region, what the benefits flowing into the region could look like, and how to access the benefits of renewable energy to cut power bills in their own homes, farms and businesses.
Minister, what happens in the next five years is critical. Without urgent government action, the shift to renewable energy will not happen at the speed and scale required, undermining the urgency of this moment.
It’s time for the Government to invest in the people at the centre of the shift to renewable energy, by funding Local Energy Hubs."
Signed by
Australian Conservation Foundation
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change
Baw Baw Sustainability Network
Better Climate
Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute
Cairns and Far North Environment Centre
Central Vic Climate Action
CLEANaS
Clean Energy Investor Group
Climate Action Network Australia (CANA)
Climate Action Newcastle
Committee for Ballarat
Common Cause Australia
Community Foundation Snowy Valleys Region
Community Power Agency
Conservation Council of WA
Currie Country Social Change
Darling Downs Environment Council
Electrify Canberra
Energetic Communities
Energy Forever Inc
Environment Tasmania
Environment Victoria
Flinders Zero Carbon Community
Geelong Sustainability
Geni.Energy
Gippsland Climate Change Network
Good for the Gong
Goulburn River Stone Cottages
Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network
Green Gravity
Healthy Futures
Hunter Community Alliance
Hunter Community Environment Centre
Hunter Jobs Alliance
Hunter Renewal
Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group
Lighter Footprints
Lithgow Environment Group
Moonee Valley Sustainability
Nature Conservation Council NSW
New England Visions 2030 Institute
Nillumbik Climate Action Team
North Queensland Conservation Council
Parents for Climate
Peoples Climate Assembly
Port Phillip Emergency Climate Action Network
Queensland Conservation Council
RE-Alliance
Regional Development Australia Gippsland
Renew
Renew Hunter
Renew Illawarra
Repower Shoalhaven Inc
Rewiring Australia
Smart Energy Council
Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance
Sustainable Living Armidale
The Creative Ingredient
The Goulburn Group
Tomorrow Movement Wollongong
Voices of the Valley
Vote Earth Now
Woodside Community Hall
WWF Australia
Yes 2 Renewables
Zero Emissions Noosa Inc
Contact us here to add your organisation's name to the Open Letter.