Yarra Ranges residents and visitors flocked to the community-run Repower Festival in March, learning more about sustainable and eco-friendly living.
The festival, now in its second year, drew plenty of visitors, who heard about home electrification, energy efficiency, sustainable housing and transport, along with other community initiatives. Council supported the event and hosted an information stall on its programs.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Richard Higgins, said he was heartened by the turnout and spirit of the community-led event.
"Repower is a fantastic example of community initiative that makes the region better," Cr Higgins said.
"It presents sustainability, electrification and eco-friendly living in an approachable, understandable way, demystifying concepts and inviting people to think about what they can do to make the world a better place.
"I'm so proud of the Repower festival, and Council's support of this event. The team at Repower the Dandenongs and MADCOW have done an incredible job here. The community clearly cares about the environment, and has a keen interest in doing more.
"I hope that everyone who visited walked away energised and invigorated to take action, and we'll be working hard to do our bit every day."
Cr Higgins encouraged locals to think about the benefits of putting the environment first.
"There are few issues facing us as significant as climate change, and the impacts of this issue flow on to every part of our lives - from the cost of groceries, food availability, extreme weather events, right through to how liveable our communities are going to be in the future," Cr Higgins said.
"Although there is a significant responsibility that sits with government and private enterprise to move to net zero, to use more sustainable materials and focus on renewable energy, we also know that we can all do things in our day to day lives that have a collective impact.
"We must weave sustainability through everything we do, and if we do it together, it will reduce the impacts of the changing climate while showing how easy it can be.
"And these aren't hard asks - if we buy less plastic, we compost our food scraps and use our FOGO bins, use public transport, walk and cycle more and switch to energy-efficient electric appliances, everyone benefits.
"This all helps us as a community push the needle away from the worst case scenario, and builds a better world for those who come after us.
Council is progressing its Livable Climate Plan, with a goal of net zero emissions by 2040, and 100 per cent renewable energy use by 2030.
Council recently released its annual Climate Resilience and Sustainability Report, highlighting progress towards its key environmental and sustainability goals.
Read the report at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/crsr2025
Community members are invited to share their thoughts on Council's next Climate and Environment Strategy.
