Communities creating a sustainable Victoria
Dharma
President & renewable energy champion
Kundrathu Kumaran Temple, Deanside
Dharma
"In future we hope to showcase this project to the community and use it to promote the use of green energy."
Using funding from SV, the leaders at this Hindu temple installed a solar system and battery storage to power the temple, community hall, canteen and other facilities. By reducing their electricity costs, the congregation can now spend these savings on vital services for the community.
STATS
33.1 tonnes
Co2-e savings
$5,186
Annual savings
Maylei
Repair Cafe Coordinator
Mernda Community House Repair Cafe
Maylei
"We've diverted 694 kg of waste from landfill and delivered repair workshops teaching people how to make their own repairs."
Whittlesea Community Connections runs the Mernda Repair Cafe, where volunteers repair everyday items like bikes, clothing, furniture, and electronics. This cafe, supported by SV funding, encourages people to re-use, repair and recycle rather than throw away valuable resources.
STATS
694 kg
Waste diverted
99
Items repaired
Rose
Chief Executive Officer
Neighbourhood Collective, Bendigo
Rose
"We’re proud to partner with several local op-shops who donate items previously sent to landfill."
The Collective is a unique community hub that operates a second-hand clothes shop and mending space. SV funding helped them kick-start the idea and now they have a vibrant space with a regular rotation of clothes and slow fashion.
STATS
100,000+
Participants
25 tonnes
Waste diverted
Tricia
Coordinator
Mallacoota Sustainable Energy Group
Tricia
"It all is part of reawakening community here and enthusiasm is growing for renewables."
Funded through SV’s Gippsland Community Power Hub, this 22-kilowatt solar installation at Mallacoota produces the energy needed to purify East Gippsland's water.
STATS
8.7 tonnes
Co2-e savings
16.4mWh
Electricity produced
Dan
Chief Executive Officer
Geelong Sustainability
Dan
"We've got a whole range of other not-for-profit groups that are very interested in solar energy upgrades."
Geelong YMCA worked in partnership with Geelong Sustainability to install 131 solar panels on the YMCA's roof through SV's Community Power Hubs program. The solar system saves the YMCA over $13,000 per year and cut their power bill in half.
STATS
78 tonnes
Co2-e savings
60kW
Solar installed
Green Team
Students
Winters Flat Primary School
Green Team
"The students felt empowered by the pesky fruit sticker campaign and were very self-motivated." Quote from Terry, Teacher.
Students from Winters Flat Primary School campaigned to ban 'pesky' plastic fruit stickers that don't break down in the compost. They were awarded a ResourceSmart Schools Award in 2022 for this campaign and other actions which have reduced their environmental impact.
STATS
320
Trees planted on school grounds
5 Star
ResourceSmart School
Green Team
Students
Brentwood Secondary College
Green Team
"We are aiming to get our Brentwood greenhouse gas emissions down to zero percent" Dominique, student.
The school's green team crafted the Towards Zer0 Bremissions plan, which won a Premier's Sustainability Award, as well as winning the ResourceSmart School of the Year award in 2022.
STATS
40%
Renewable energy
2022
RSS School of the Year
The power of community
In the journey to a climate resilient circular economy, you can never underestimate the power of community.
More and more communities are taking action to address climate change and build a sustainable future; they know how to make a difference and are doing what it takes to get there.
And Sustainability Victoria is supporting those communities leading the charge; helping them upskill and kickstart their projects through funding, grants, support and training.
Watch the videos to learn more:
Collective Action stories
Read all 7 stories and be inspired to take action in your own backyard.