By Electrify Illawarra event coordinator Denise Aubourg
It’s been a busy month. Electrify Illawarra shared a stall with Renew Illawarra at the Corrimal Rotary GreenFest on April 13. We chatted to locals about how they can reduce their bills and carbon footprint by going all-electric. The BYD Dolphin and Tesla electric vehicles sparked conversations about what it’s like to own an EV for the first time.
Electrify groups across Australia have been inviting federal candidates to meet them and to champion energy policies that would permanently reduce energy bills, build healthier homes and support thousands of Aussie jobs. We’ve been meeting with Cunningham and Whitlam candidates to lobby for bi-partisan support for a no/low-cost loan scheme to enable every home to afford to upgrade their appliances and cars, as well as large-scale investment to train more tradies, who are the heroes of the energy transition.
On April 16, we joined other climate groups to call for a Local Energy Hub in the Illawarra.
In March, Rewiring Australia released The Electrification Tipping Point report, showing that households that switch to an EV, solar and electric appliances could save more than $4000 a year, even when including upfront costs. Worth a read.
Coming up
Curious about what an all-electric home looks like? Don’t miss Renew’s Sustainable House Day on May 4. Four Illawarra homeowners have offered to host a small group tour of their properties. Bookings essential.
On Monday, May 5, Wollongong Council will discuss Development Control Plan for Ecologically Sustainable Development (2009 chapter A2). Local health and sustainability groups are calling for new builds to be all-electric. There will be a rally outside Council Chambers from 5-6pm before attending the meeting as part of the public gallery to hear the outcome of public submissions.
About the writer
Denise Aubourg is a Coledale resident and retired IT Project Manager. Denise volunteers with Electrify 2515 and the newly formed Electrify Illawarra. She is inspired by Dr Saul Griffith’s win-win guide on how we can reduce emissions and our cost-of-living at the same time. She is bicycle leader with Illawarra Ramblers and a keen golfer, bridge player, gardener and campervanner.
