Dave Barry

Acting Director, Development Services Towong Shire Council

“Pure Towong Energy”, was developed by Councillors and the Economic Development team at the Towong Shire Council in response to the challenges facing the Towong Shire as result of drought and a declining agricultural sector. From the outset it was recognised, for the project to achieve long term sustainability that it needed to tap into a percentage of the population that were not traditional supporters of climate change and renewable energy in general. To do this the challenge was to not only promote the program from an environmental perspective however from a triple bottom line level of sustainability.

The outcomes although consistent with the initial approach have far exceeded that of the Towong Shire Council, community and adjoining shires proving that the model of community engagement and the programs focus on barrier reduction can ensure that similar programs can succeed to truly make a difference to the overall sustainability of the State. For a remote Shire, with 6,000 people spread over 6,500 square kms, a truly significant impact on the sustainability of the State.

Towong Shire Council has had a long-term focus on sustainability derived from its natural environment and reflected in its ‘Pure Towong’ brand. In recent years Council has been keen to adopt a leadership position in relation to sustainability and deliver a project on a major scale. Pure Towong Energy is that project and is an Australian First to deliver triple bottom line benefits through a local government facilitated group solar energy system purchase.

Pure Towong Energy (www.puretowongenergy.com) has revolutionised the way in which the Towong community powers itself. Initial calculations estimate that Towong Shire supports Solar PV installations at a ratio 50 times that of the State average (per head of population.)

Pure Towong Energy not only delivers significant environmental outcomes, it also delivers economic and industry development outcomes that rival many economic development specific projects. This triple bottom line approach to the programs delivery has ensured that benefits from the program continue well beyond the Pure Towong Energy project timeframe.

This innovative program has seen Towong Shire take first mover status within the field of Solar Electricity through the implementation of it Pure Towong Energy Program. The innovative approach to achieving funding has seen the aggregation of government rebates converted into major grant revenue, in excess of $850,000.

Contact Details:
Dave Barry and Aaron van Egmond
Towong Shire Council
PO Box 55, Tallangatta, Vic 3700
Ph. 02 6071 5100, Fax 02 6071 2747
www.towong.vic.gov.au
dave.barry@towong.vic.gov.au

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