Community members are forging ahead to implement plans to facilitate cleaner energy.

Groups tackled issues including energy efficiency, local generation of energy and community engagement.

CANWin member Helen Saville joined the group when it was first established and believes it produces practical results.

“The day raised awareness and brought people with a common interest together, taking them to real action,” she said.

Professor John Martin, from Latrobe University, discussed the importance of community inclusion. He argued that results should not be for a small number, but for everyone.

For instance, the revenue raised by wind power plants should be distributed to the wider community, encouraging widespread participation.

“It is all about having the right conversations with people,” he said. “And those conversations need to engage the community as a whole.”

This need for engagement was reflected by the forum style of the event.

Small groups brainstormed ideas in key areas and presented them to the rest of the assembly.

Many of these ideas centred on the need for greater information relating to energy consumption.

In his speech, Craig Memery discussed the possibilities for in-home displays, including web portals and smart meters to allow the use of reflexive pricing.

Councillor Graham McLaughlin was impressed with the quality of information provided by the guest speakers and said it really propelled the community conversations.

“I thought the day was very interesting,” Cr McLaughlin said.

“We’ve got to keep our minds open to all events in the future.

“You can’t close your mind to new science.”

Mr Memery’s speech also demystified many of the preconceptions around clean energy; for instance, he argued that more environmentally friendly power need not be more expensive.

In fact, many of the measures such as more effective building and off peak power use would actually save money.

It became clear there was a need for more facts to be available to the community.

These would be accessible through an “Information Hub” which would provide case studies, films, portable resources, media releases, energy-efficient neighbourhoods programs, community events, school competitions, and money saving ideas.

In order to ensure outcomes, these concepts are going to be worked into the Wingecarribee council’s 2031+ plan.

The forum also addressed the need for greater self sufficiency, particularly in the area of locally grown vegetables.

This was showcased in the afternoon tea provided by Susan Brindle and Jill Cockram, much of which was sourced from the Moss Vale community garden.

While the day made it clear there is still a long way to go in this area, it also demonstrated a high level of interest and commitment in the shire.

Convenor Miles Lochhead acknowledged it was an early step in what would be a long process.

“The Workshop was a vehicle to mobilise the community to action,” he said.

“There is obviously an underlying community will to get some real (and realistic) projects happening and now we have the opportunity to move forward with some concrete ideas that have been developed through collaboration with the community.”

Visit www.canwin.org.au for more information.