On Monday 1 September Scottsdale will be visited by the “Tasmanian Community Renewable
Energy Roadshow”. The roadshow will be sharing success stories and present information to assist
communities to develop their own renewable energy projects. The Roadshow was inspired by the
recent national community renewable energy congress in Canberra.
“Community owned renewable energy projects are a Win-Win-Win” says David Hamilton of Dorset
Renewable Industries. “Local people receive cheaper energy, the community obtains a return on
investment and more renewable energy is installed. If a community project sells energy directly to
local users, then that money stays in the local community, increasing the economic benefit of the
project to the community”.
Successful examples that will be showcased include the town of Wildspoldsreid in Germany. This
small town of 2500 people produces 4 times the electricity it consumes and earns over $7 million
dollars per year. It also has local biogas and biomass plants providing piped heating to public and
private buildings. All public buildings produce more energy than they use (from solar power) and
the community owns 7 wind turbines.
“Small communities can embrace renewables. By investing local money into local projects it can
create ongoing employment” commented David Hamilton.
Australia has a growing portfolio of community projects including the Hepburn and Denmark Wind
Farms. Many communities are also investing in solar power, with Lismore in NSW aiming to go
100% renewable.
“We want to share these stories and communicate some of the great resources that have been
developed to assist communities to embrace renewable energy”, David said.
Speakers at the event include Jack Gilding, who is the Executive Officer of the Tasmanian
Renewable Energy Alliance and was previously the Executive Officer of Hepburn Wind. He has been
active in a number of projects to research and promote the potential of community renewable
energy.
David Hamilton will also speak at the event. David is the Chair of Dorset Renewable Industries Pty
Ltd, a community focussed enterprise aimed at developing new industries for the Dorset region of
North East Tasmania which utilize the region’s renewable resources. David is also the Convenor of
the Tas North Branch of the Alternative Technology Association.
Event Details:
The roadshow will be presented at 6pm on Monday 1 September. The event will be held in the
upstairs meeting room, Scottsdale LINC, 51 King Street, Scottsdale.
To RSVP visit www.slt.org.au/roadshow or contact David Hamilton on 0419 354 760
The roadshow is a collaborative effort supported by KEENER, Sustainable Living Tasmania,
Alternative Technology Association (ATA) Tas North Branch, Tasmanian Renewable Energy
Alliance, Backroad Connections, Hydro Tasmania and the Coalition 4 Community Energy.
David Hamilton, Jack Gilding
