The City of Mitcham took us through their highly successful community renewables initiatives on Thursday 16th March, 2023
The City of Mitcham declared a climate emergency in 2019 and joined Cities Power Partnership in 2020 committing to accelerate community renewables uptake.
In 2021, Mitcham approached the market seeking a partner to help deliver on this commitment. They selected Shinehub and ran a community solar and battery bulk buy as part of a broader vision to develop their own VPP and ensure access to renewable energy and lower cost of living for every ratepayer. The response from the community was impressive with over 500 households installing solar and battery systems in just three months in 2022 and it has enabled Mitcham to think bolder and bigger about what they want to do next.
We learnt about:
- The procurement process undertaken by the City of Mitcham
- What was involved in the program roll out
- The lessons learnt in the process
Mitcham hopes this example of successful civic sustainability innovation and leadership can result in and help other councils to design and deliver similar programs across the country.
Speakers:
Dr Heather Holmes-Ross, Mayor, City of Mitcham
Heather is the Mayor of The City of Mitcham, a Flinders University alumna, small business owner and community activist. A former research scientist (molecular dynamics), she and her husband founded the award-winning Artisan Cafe, renowned for its sustainable and ethical practices. They currently operate the CBD board game cafe, “The Lost Dice” which services a fabulously diverse community. Heather is passionate about building strong, sustainable, inclusive communities, which lead her to local government. She has led her council in making sector leading decisions, including the creation of a citywide solar and virtual power plant scheme which stabilises the grid and generates income for residents.
Matt Romaine, Group Manager, City of Mitcham
Matt is a highly experienced Local Government leader with a passion for communities of the future and efficient and innovative service delivery.
Paul Hill, Manager Sustainability & Procurement, City of Mitcham.
Paul joined the City of Mitcham in 2021 after a 15 year career in procurement and supply chain roles in the aviation industry seeking to help accelerate local governments response to climate change and apply his sustainability focused values more in the workplace. Not having formally worked in a sustainability role prior, Paul has spent a number of years living a sustainable life in the Adelaide Hills with his family on a small organic hobby farm, growing organic fruit and vegetables including pinot noir wine grapes, olives, apples and figs.
