Batteries boost energy benefits
Home batteries are set to change the energy landscape with household subsidies to solar and storage systems to deliver benefits to household power bills and take strain off the energy grid, according to Member for Indi, Helen Haines ... "The scheme starts on July 1st but batteries can be purchased and installed now and be eligible for the subsidy in the new financial year.
Committed question
The Coalition before the election planned to keep its nuclear power policy if it lost, but the huge election defeat may now put this intention under scrutiny. This comes as just days before the election, a nuclear expert reconfirmed that a nuclear station in the Latrobe Valley would cost $10 billion, and highlighted China's new status as the world's largest user of domestic nuclear energy.
Five years of data in one application
Star of the South is confident of lodging the environmental approval applications this year for its proposed windfarm offshore from Gippsland. This follows the state government releasing the latest guidelines to implement the offshore wind projects.
Multibillion-dollar renewables investment by private sector to power 2.7 million NSW homes: Sharpe
Ten renewable energy projects have been given the green light to connect to the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), through agreements that will deliver enough power to supply more than half of NSW homes. The NSW Government has awarded groundbreaking ‘access rights’ to renewable energy companies ...
More power pain for SA: Patterson
The Hon. Stephen Patterson, Shadow Minister for Energy and Net Zero (SA). The cost of keeping the lights on continues to rise under the Malinauskas Labor Government, with two reports released today confirming significant increases in the cost of wholesale electricity. Reports from the AER and the AEMO show wholesale electricity prices in South Australia in the first quarter of this year have reached $98 per MWh, a 17 per cent increase from Q1 2024.
Northern Grampians withdraws from five-council alliance
Northern Grampians Shire Council has withdrawn from a five-council alliance created to collectively advocate to State Government on issues including transmission lines, renewable energy and mining. The alliance, formed in February this year, also includes Buloke, Gannawarra, Yarriambiack and Loddon councils, which are all directly impacted...
Buloke’s clarification
Recent media reporting has incorrectly suggested that Buloke Shire Council, along with neighbouring councils, has entered into a $100 million deal with VicGrid in relation to the VNI West transmission project. This is incorrect.
Monash scientists call for caution over green nitrate fertiliser breakthroughs
Monash University scientists are urging caution around recent claims of breakthroughs in green nitrate fertiliser production, warning there is more work to do before the concept is market-ready. Research by the Monash School of Chemistry has reviewed 50 published studies claiming to have produced green nitrate fertilisers, and found none that successfully resulted in a sustainably-produced alternative to existing products.
Two wind farms for Hay
Hay Shire Council has welcomed the announcement that Pottinger Wind Farm (Someva/AGL) and Bullawah Wind Farm (BayWa r.e) have been granted access under the South West Renewable Energy Zone Access Rights Scheme announced last Wednesday.
Charles Sturt University powers its future with 100 per cent renewable energy from Snowy Energy: CSU
Charles Sturt University has reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability by signing a three-year contract with Snowy Energy to supply 100 per cent renewable electricity to the University’s six main campuses across New South Wales.
Candidate profiles
Ten candidates for the seats of Mallee and Farrer respond to questions on a range of key issues including cost of living, national energy security and affordability, housing, water buyback and human rights violations of the Government's Covid-19 response.
Four renewables projects announced for South West REZ
Four wind, solar and battery projects have been granted the right to connect to new power lines in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The projects are Origin Energy’s Yanco Delta wind farm, Spark Renewables Dinawan Energy Hub, Someva’s Pottinger Energy Park and BayWA’s Bullawah Wind Farm.
Our windfarm a trailblazer
Denmark Community Windfarm is among 11 Australia-wide community renewables projects recognised in the inaugural Climate Council Choice Awards. The DCW, along with Victoria’s Hepburn Community Wind Farm, shares the honour of being one of two in the Trailblazing Towns category of the awards.
New guide to help landholders navigate the energy transition: Sharpe, Moriarty
The Minns Labor Government and NSW Farmers have teamed up to launch a new guidebook that will help empower landowners and community members to better navigate and understand the transition to renewable energy.
Farmers say “No” to REZ
Wimmera and Mallee farmers have mapped over 600,000 hectares of farmland where landholders have indicated they do not want to be in a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The farmers that are in opposition have had their paddocks marked darkest.
Haystacks Solar Garden wins top honour at National Awards
Australia's first large-scale solar garden, Haystacks Solar Garden at Grong Grong, was awarded a top honour at the National Banksia Sustainability Awards in Melbourne last Thursday following its earlier success at the NSW Sustainability Awards. The project won the Marketing and Communications for Impact Award…
Labor blames Liberals
The Albanese government considers the cost of living, access to secure and well-paid jobs, and infrastructure as the most pressing issues for voters in regional towns like Naracoorte. As Australia goes to polls on May 3, a lot is at stake for all political parties. Acknowledging that “people are doing it tough,” the current federal government of four years blames the current challenges to a previous decade of “Liberal neglect.”
Haines gives tax cuts and health funding a tick
Independent Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has welcomed tax cuts and funding to deliver more training places for doctors in regional Australia under key announcements in Tuesday’s federal Budget. Dr Haines’ advocacy for a Commonwealth injection of funding into the regional healthcare workforce was substantially reflected in the 2025-2026 budget.
Bolitho pushes for fair deal in renewable red-carpet walkover
Last week, the Gannawarra Shire Council meeting birthed the first real progress in moving forward with a vision of true community benefit to the transmission lines driving the industrial energy developments within Gannawarra. It’s not the first time a Councillor has asked tough questions on the validity of the community benefit of the projects and sought cheap power.
Failure to transmit the truth in Australia energy future
Affordable, reliable and efficient energy production is a cornerstone of a prosperous nation, but Speakers at a free community energy forum in Moulamein last Wednesday believe that short-term energy politics is leading to a long-term disaster. Aidan Morrison from the Centre for Independent Studies has a background in physics, data science and software development, and believes that Australia’s renewable energy transition, underpinned by the Integrated System Plan (ISP) and CSIRO’s Gen Cost Report, is doomed to fail ...
Steven’s PowerBill and Compare apps: SaaS
Steven as a Service (SaaS) offers two game changing apps that can help you navigate your way to a competitive energy plan comparison and bill calculation - PowerBill™ and Compare.
Expert speakers address concerns
A community forum in Moulamein last week heard of concerns farmers have of the use of productive agricultural land for renewable energy developments. The meeting was organised by a newly formed group Farming First Forum (FFF) and supported by close to 50 attendees from Hay, Moulamein, Booroorban and surrounds.
