Residents will be surveyed on their home electricity and transport usage to determine the emissions generated in the shire. Work will begin on the TAKE2 Community Transition Pilot this month.

Sustainability Victoria, the Coalition for Community Energy, Hepburn Wind and the Hepburn Shire community will work together to develop a plan to achieve net zero emissions in the shire. 

The Victorian government has invested $81,000 in the pilot, while Hepburn Shire Council, Hepburn Wind, and the Danish Samsø Energy Academy have provided additional funding of $30,000.

Coalition for Community Energy Chair, Taryn Lane says:

“The Hepburn Shire is already a lighthouse community in regards to community energy and it is fitting that the pilot Victorian program will occur here,” she said.

“The Hepburn Shire community has ambition to be the first 100 per cent renewable shire in Australia. This pilot will provide a roadmap to get there.” 

Hepburn Shire Council’s Chief Executive Officer Aaron van Egmond said the council had committed $20,000 to the TAKE2 initiative.

“The State Government will work with the Coalition for Community Energy and the Hepburn Shire community to develop a plan to achieve net zero emissions for the shire.

“Residents will be surveyed on the emissions generated from their homes as work begins on the TAKE2 Community Transition Pilot this month. Through the pilot we will develop a net zero emissions transition plan for the Hepburn community, identify a range of local projects, and build community capacity and resources to transition to a net zero emissions economy,” he said.

Hepburn Shire Mayor, John Cottrell, said that the council was committed to reducing emissions. 

“A key action is to reduce emissions and become a carbon neutral organisation. Through our Towards Zero initiative, we are also supporting the community with funding for projects which can demonstrate energy and cost savings and a tangible reduction in emissions.  Our funding commitment to the TAKE2 pilot project is just another way we are working towards delivering better environmental outcomes for our community,” he said.