Plan for former Anglesea mine to be converted into an artificial lake

A former coal mine will be transformed into a massive lake near one of Victoria's most popular Surf Coast destinations, under a plan to overhaul the site. 

Plans for an Anglesea mine to be turned into a lake. 

The Alcoa Anglesea mine and power plant closed in 2015 but community groups are now pushing innovative proposals for the land, including a floating solar farm.  

Read the story in today’s Melbourne Age by Benjamin Preiss -  “Plan for former Anglesea mine to be converted into an artificial lake.”

The Greens back community renewable energy projects

The Greens will back community renewable
energy projects - Adam Bandt.

The Greens will announce that they will spend $265.2m on community-owned renewable energy projects, including allowing these to generate tax-free profits from the electricity created.

The Greens energy spokesman, Adam Bandt, will announce the four-year package on Saturday in North Fitzroy at an apartment block seeking to establish a community-owned renewable project.

The Greens plan to create a $150m community energy start-up fund for 50 projects. The money will go towards planning, development, part of the capital costs and two years of operational funding.

They will spend $102.9m on community groups, schools and other local institutions to invest in solar panels and storage, including some capital costs.

Read The Guardian story - “Greens to spend $265m on community-owned renewable energy projects.”

Red tape and inadequate expertise slowing community energy projects

Red tape and a lack of technical expertise are preventing community groups from setting up renewable energy projects, according to consumer advocates who have launched a new campaign to make it an election issue.

The campaign is led by the Community Power Agency (CPA) and a coalition of grassroots energy groups.

There are more than 70 community energy groups around the nation running 31 renewable energy projects including community solar and wind farms.

But the CPA said projects were taking years to get up as they battle with red tape and a lack of streamlined advice.

Founder Nicky Ison, an academic at University of Technology Sydney, said technical and legal hurdles were making it extremely difficult for community projects to go ahead.

Read the ABC story - “Local renewable energy projects being stifled by red tape, consumer advocates say.”