Wollongong locals, retired coal engineer Darryl Best and local mum of two Ali Gerritsen have joined a huge cross section of regional Australia living in the thick of our shift to renewable energy who have come together as part of a new film series.
Darryl and Ali join farmers, parents, community leaders and former Councillors to deliver frank and optimistic perspectives that highlight what regional Australia can be gaining from the energy shift.
Following the declaration of the Illawarra offshore wind zone in June 2024, Darryl and Ali provide two different perspectives in the episode that features them for how an offshore wind industry might work in Wollongong.
Retired coal engineer and Wollongong local Darryl Best said: "I've worked all my life in coal mines. It was a really great industry to work in. I don't regret that I worked in it, but I do regret the effect it's had on the climate. I can see the need to move away from fossil fuels, but in a way where there are new industries and jobs for people to transition into."
Mum of two and Wollongong local Ali Gerritsen said: "For people who weren't so sure about an offshore wind industry for Wollongong previously - now is the time to get involved in the conversation and think about how the community can benefit. We can't be using coal and gas anymore - it's got us this far and now we need a better option. I know that offshore wind is the key to a better future for my kids."
Submissions to the Australian Senate's Select Committee Inquiry on Energy Planning and Regulation close at the end of this week (18 October) and the regional stories in this film series have been profiled in a joint submission because they clearly articulate a range of issues for the Select Committee to consider, such as:
How can traditional energy regions continue supplying power to our country via offshore wind?
How can communities benefit from hosting large scale renewable infrastructure like wind and solar farms?
How can communities own large scale renewables themselves?
How can regional communities reliant on heavy industry be powered by offshore wind?
Farmers have farmed with transmission for decades - what can we learn?
What are the pros and cons of living next door to a wind farm?
RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray said: "What these five films show is that communities hosting renewable energy urgently need local support to engage directly with Australia's energy shift."
One solution being called for is for the Federal Government to fund Local Energy Hubs for regional communities in the upcoming Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Local Energy Hubs would be a network of 50 outreach centres staffed by trusted locals to answer questions about transmission and renewable energy projects while helping households, businesses and farms get more value out of going electric.
