Embargoed until 12:01 am Thursday 17 October 2024
Wollongong locals, retired coal engineer Darryl Best and local mum of two Ali Gerritsen have joined a huge cross section of regional Australia living in the thick of our shift to renewable energy who have come together as part of a new film series.
Darryl and Ali join farmers, parents, community leaders and former Councillors to deliver frank and optimistic perspectives that highlight what regional Australia can be gaining from the energy shift.
Following the declaration of the Illawarra offshore wind zone in June 2024, Darryl and Ali provide two different perspectives in the episode that features them for how an offshore wind industry might work in Wollongong.
Retired coal engineer and Wollongong local Darryl Best said: “I’ve worked all my life in coal mines. It was a really great industry to work in. I don't regret that I worked in it, but I do regret the effect it's had on the climate. I can see the need to move away from fossil fuels, but in a way where there are new industries and jobs for people to transition into.”
Mum of two and Wollongong local Ali Gerritsen said: “For people who weren’t so sure about an offshore wind industry for Wollongong previously - now is the time to get involved in the conversation and think about how the community can benefit. We can’t be using coal and gas anymore - it’s got us this far and now we need a better option. I know that offshore wind is the key to a better future for my kids.”
Submissions to the Australian Senate’s Select Committee Inquiry on Energy Planning and Regulation close at the end of this week (18 October) and the regional stories in this film series have been profiled in a joint submission because they clearly articulate a range of issues for the Select Committee to consider, such as:
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How can traditional energy regions continue supplying power to our country via offshore wind?
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How can communities benefit from hosting large scale renewable infrastructure like wind and solar farms?
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How can communities own large scale renewables themselves?
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How can regional communities reliant on heavy industry be powered by offshore wind?
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Farmers have farmed with transmission for decades - what can we learn?
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What are the pros and cons of living next door to a wind farm?
RE-Alliance, Community Power Agency and Yes2Renewables have lodged a joint submission to the Inquiry, urging the Select Committee to carefully consider the regional stories highlighted by the films.
RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray said: “What these five films show is that communities hosting renewable energy urgently need local support to engage directly with Australia’s energy shift.”
One solution being called for is for the Federal Government to fund Local Energy Hubs for regional communities in the upcoming Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Local Energy Hubs would be a network of 50 outreach centres staffed by trusted locals to answer questions about transmission and renewable energy projects while helping households, businesses and farms get more value out of going electric.
For more information on Local Energy Hubs head to www.localenergyhubs.org.au.
About the film series
Produced by the New Joneses and hosted by Neighbours star Ryan Moloney (aka ‘Toadie’) the series ‘Good Neighbours’ follows Ryan as he hits the road to the Latrobe Valley and Horsham in Victoria and Wollongong, Goulburn and Crookwell in NSW to learn about Australia’s shift to renewable energy and the regional communities making it happen.
‘Good Neighbours’ can be watched for free at www.thenewjoneses.com
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Darryl Best and Ali Gerritsen are available for interview: please contact Kitty Walker on 0438 900 117 or kitty@re-alliance.org.au or Sean Kennedy on 0447 121 378 or sean.kennedy@climatemediacentre.org.au
RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray is also available for comment to discuss the joint submission to the Select Committee Inquiry and the Local Energy Hubs campaign.
Media can access versions of the film series mentioned above for use in stories here.
Audio grabs for radio from each case study can be accessed here.
Hi-res images from the film can be accessed here.
About RE-Alliance: RE-Alliance is working to secure an energy transformation that delivers long-term benefits and prosperity for regional and rural Australia. They do this by listening to the needs of communities, facilitating collaboration across the renewables industry to deliver social outcomes and advocating for meaningful engagement and benefits for regions.
Contact details:
Kitty Walker on 0438 900 117 or kitty@re-alliance.org.au