A diverse coalition of local leaders, energy experts, and community advocates is inviting residents of Tasmania’s north-west to a community information session focused on practical, people-powered energy solutions.
Held immediately after the Devonport Renewable Energy Conference, this gathering will explore how solar, battery and local energy systems can help Tasmanians save money, improve health and build energy resilience, all while reducing carbon emissions.
🗓 Thursday, 5 June 2025
🕠 17:30
📍 Cradle Coast Authority, 1–3 Spring St, Burnie, TAS
Hosted by:
🌱 Community Renewable Energy for NW Tasmania
🌱 Regenera Commons
🌱 Community Power Agency
What You’ll Learn:
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How Solar & Battery Systems Work – Basics & benefits for your home or business
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Health & Climate – Why clean energy is essential for wellbeing
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Community Power – Local leadership in action
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EVs & Home Batteries – The future of energy at your doorstep
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Local Case Studies – Inspiring stories from around Tasmania
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How to Get Involved – Grants, group projects & practical next steps
Featured Speakers:
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Kim Mallee – Community Power Agency | www.cpagency.org.au
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Darren Briggs – NW Community Renewable Energy [email protected]
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Emily Samuels-Ballantyne – Regenera Commons | www.regeneracommons.org
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Adrian Luke – DMS Energy | www.tasmaniansolar.com.au
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Nathan Burke – GenR8 Electrical | www.genr8electrical.com.au
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Jill Cainey – Erne Energy | www.erne-energy.com
“This is about community empowerment, not just technology,” said Darren Briggs, local GP and advocate with NW Community Renewable Energy. “Clean energy is directly linked to public health. It’s good for our lungs, social connections, our economy and our local resilience.”
“People want to be part of the solution,” said Emily Samuels-Ballantyne, founder of Regenera Commons.
“This event offers real tools, inspiring stories and grounded pathways to action.”
Q&A + Action Session
Ask questions, share ideas, and connect with local support programs.
Free & open to all, bring your curiosity and your neighbours!
📩 RSVP: [email protected]
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Ben Marshall
May 29, 2025 at 11:42
Warning: This meeting is neither diverse, nor very representative of the community.
Critically, it’s part of the Cradle Coast Authority business lobby and its government colleagues’ current PR push to shift the narrative toward support for the REZ and the National Energy Market. The CCA ultimately wants the wider community to support transmission and renewables investors and companies to set up wherever they want, whenever they want.
The Devonport Renewable Energy Conference that precedes this – a yearly industry insiders networking gathering now operating for five or so years, explicitly excludes communities, and attendees look down from their conference rooms on those of us who vainly rally outside in order to call out the half-truths, lies and bullshit promoted by those seeking to make money ahead of any genuine action on climate.
With the Burnie meeting I feel there’s nothing wrong with more rooftop solar used as a criminally underutilised strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. But if the focus stops with individuals who can afford that, and not on the power imbalance between our community being ripped off by corporate and state sectors, eg Robbins Island, Project Marinus, Tasnetworks NWTD etc which are blocking genuine action on climate, then all this meeting will do is distract us.
The CPA is also represented, and like corporate PR shills ReAlliance it assumes the mantel of grassroots community pro-action on climate while earning its income from the corporate and government sector. Consultants hired by Big Money are a ‘profession’ that an increasing number of communities are coming to see as representing corporate rather than community interests – hence my hard-earned cynicism.
Are you wanting good advice on your solar set up? Go along!
Are you looking for genuine action on climate rather than feel-good buzz-words? Don’t waste your time!