A ribbon cutting ceremony acknowledging new energy infrastructure has marked a new era of community resilience in Millgrove.
Hosted by Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG), the event took place at the Millwarra Community Building on 27 August and saw all parties come together to celebrate the newly installed solar battery and panels on the hub.
MRAG member Sam Rye said the community of Millgrove was deeply grateful for AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund (ERCF) which chose the town as the first pilot site for its resilient communities plan.
“This community fund support has enabled us to install a solar array on the roof here, which is about 45 kilowatts,” Mr Rye said.
“We were also able to install a 132 kilowatt-hour battery on the Millwarra Community Hall, which is part of the Millwarra Primary School as well as part of the River Valley Church.
“Now, those together can act as an island so that in the event of outages, we’re able to continue to provide power.”
AusNet funded just over $277,000 to MRAG for a solar PV, battery storage and an inverter for community infrastructure at the Millwarra Primary School and Millwarra Community Hall.
The solar panels will charge the battery, which can store enough power for the hub to run for a couple of days. The battery’s capacity will then be refreshed by incoming solar power.
With the primary school, church, community building and soccer pitch all situated within a short distance from each other, the installation of energy resilient infrastructure has turned the site into a recovery hub.
It will provide electricity during outages, two commercial kitchens can be used to provide meals while the soccer club has showers and change room facilities.
The Millgrove Recreation Reserve soccer pitch is also a place of last resort, which is situated right next to the Millwarra Community Building.
MRAG is one of 13 recipients from the ERCF across Victoria, totalling close to $2.4 million, to support community energy resilience projects.
AusNet executive general manager of compliance, risk and corporate affairs Amanda Robertson said while an increase of severe weather events had tested towns across the state, it also revealed the resilience of Millgrove.
“The reality is that these events can cause much more heartbreaking outcomes, so it’s wonderful to play just a small part in being able to support communities through these sort of challenging events,” Ms Robertson said.
“Millgrove, like many towns across our network, faces real risks from severe weather. But what we see here today is not just a response to those risks, it’s proactive, it’s an inspiring model of what resilience looks like.
Millwarra Primary School principal Melanie Hancock said the ERCF was a game changer for the school.
“At the moment we can use this [infrastructure] if our power goes out, so our school can still run. Not many schools can do that,” Ms Hancock said.
“I genuinely see the benefits of it right now.”
Yarra Ranges Council mayor Cr Jim Child said the new infrastructure enabled the community of Millgrove to be dependent on themselves.
“When we get hit by disasters, we’re not always going to have members of the fire brigade at your door. You’re going to have to be resilient in your own capacity and that’s what we’re building the strength in, Cr Child said.
He also praised MRAG’s initiative in establishing the crucial infrastructure.
“I think that they set the bar for what can be done in the community, I just admire the group.”
