We deliberately chose a provocative title for our upcoming event as we have much of interest to share with you and it does indeed sound like a ‘revolution’. Come and learn how Healesville is becoming a Community Energy Hub with Indigo Power, a new community owned social enterprise energy provider from just over the ranges in north east Victoria. Hear how we can all benefit from transitioning to a community energy provider that gives back 50% of its profits to creating community energy infrastructure.

If you live in the post codes: 3139  3770  3775  3777  3778  3797  3799 you will want to hear how you can sign up and benefit, and Indigo Power’s Managing Director, Ben McGowan, will fill you in on the detail.

Matt Charles-Jones from Mondo will inform us about the decentralized transformations that are planned for local communities and local renewable energy production. And Julian Guess from Yarra Ranges Council will provide an update on the Healesville Solar Farm, the Coldstream Biochar facility and Council’s recently adopted Liveable Climate Plan, which has the potential to benefit communities all around the Yarra Ranges and the Yarra Valley, including Healesville.

For more information, to watch our promo video and to register for this online webinar click the button below

At the time of writing we are still in lock down and everyone in Healesville CoRE, like our whole metro region, is looking forward to gradually getting back some freedom of movement and association!

Our hearts go out to everyone doing it tough, whether from illness, financial or emotional stress. We feel for those who have lost their health, their lives, their jobs and also for our local businesses, which have been hit hard, and we encourage everyone to think local and buy local right now but especially once the restrictions begin easing.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the lockdown has been the way the large majority of us has put our own needs to one side as we sacrifice our freedom for the greater good. And this is working as the infection rates plummet! When our communities work together as a collective for a common cause, we can achieve much more than each of us on our own doing our own thing.

Healesville CoRE members Marnie and Shayne Gleeson participated in the Healesville CoRE Solar Hot Water & Heat Pump offer H'CoRE is currently running. They are an all-electric household and in November 2019 replaced their old electric hot water unit with a CO2 heat pump and glass lined enamel storage tank from Reclaim Energy.

Since having the heat pump installed, their energy usage has decreased by an average of 30% across the last 3 quarters. In addition to the environmental benefits and reduced energy costs, they recently discovered after the storm in August that the tank is insulated well enough to still enjoy a warm shower 3 days into a power outage. They are very happy with their heat pump and glad they made the switch!

And another happy Reclaim Energy solar energy heat pump purchaser, Elinor and Sam, wrote to us recently, saying:

"We have recently had a Reclaim hot water system installed which is brilliant. We like that it has clear, simple program options - one of which is a solar-ready option for charging through the day. With our solar panels due to be installed in coming weeks, we're excited about the option of solar-heated hot water.

We're in the process of switching our shower heads to low-flow & are wondering if Healesville CoRE has any recommendations for what to use or who might be able to advise?"

We provided advice on the shower head! One of the great pleasures of working as a volunteer with Healesville CoRE is being able to assist others in the community to get the information they need to make informed choices about money saving and carbon reducing products. It is estimated that people who use electricity to heat their water can save around 50-75% of this expenditure by installing a heat pump, and the capital expense is often repaid in 4-7 years depending on individual circumstances! And after that the savings keep on accumulating! Get in touch to find out how you can benefit! 

Interested in a secure price and guaranteed installation for your solar panels and / or batteries? Check out our Community Solar Panels and Battery Offer which is being run through the Yarra Ranges Council and Solar Savers.

What are people saying about this offer? “It made the whole process simpler from getting quotes, obtaining the rebates and getting the installation done.”

·       Easy

·       Affordable

·       Good quality

·       Accredited and trusted

The Yarra Ranges Council is one of several participating councils that have come together to drive the The Solar Savers Program in a bid to make it easier and more affordable for you to have a quality system, installed by an accredited and trusted company. 

Learn more about the Solar Savers Program by hitting the button below!

NOTE: If you register for the Solar and Battery Offer through the Solar Savers website, we kindly request in your registration you mention Healesville CoRE as the source of how you heard about it!