Report to SHASA AGM demonstrates key community successes

President’s Report to SHASA AGM (14 September) by Kathryn Maxwell, Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance

Despite all the recent challenges our Shire has faced, SHASA has had an outstanding year of achievements in Eurobodalla. This has only been made possible with:

· The significant work of volunteers

· Our two day a week SHASA Coordinator

· Our business partners Micro Energy Systems Australia (MESA), Moruya Bicycles and The TEC Exec; and

· Grant funding from the Federal and NSW governments and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal

What we have achieved in the past 12 months:

· The establishment of a supportive SHASA committee

· Excellent work by SHASA active volunteers

· An outstanding SHASA Coordinator – Louise McFadden who has been on the job

since November 2020

· A very appreciative thank you to MESA for their significant contribution of funds to

SHASA through the SHASA/MESA Solar Bulk Buy

· SHASA has 73 paid members and 600 subscribers

· SHASA launched its new website in August 2020 and has had more than 7,750 visits

· A very welcomed increase in active involvement of members in Repair Cafe

(repairers, welcome desk staff, cafe preparations), working group involvement and for media articles

· SHASA teamed up with ANU to secure $3.1m for 8 microgrid feasibility studies over

the next three years (Southcoast Microgrid Reliability Feasibility (SµRF) project)

· Secured $1,048,000 for the Tilba Halls upgrade over the next two years

· Completed the Red Door Hall Heatwave and Bushfire Haven

· Installed solar, batteries etc on the Moruya Preschool Kindergarten and have

secured grant funds for a HEPA filter and emergency bushfire equipment

· Installed solar and batteries on Marine Rescue Narooma

· Installed solar on the Narooma Men's Shed and Bateman's Bay Men's Shed

· Spoke to the Parliamentary Press Gallery in support of MP for Indi, Helen Haines'

Local Power Plan

· Participated on the North Eastern Community Energy Network to share experiences

with renewable energy groups in Victoria and Southeast NSW

· Helped to organise the Nature Conservation Council Conference in Batemans Bay

· Ran two webinars – energy efficient buildings and energy efficient appliances

· Worked with Nature Conservation Council to secure $490m EV package from the

NSW Government

· SHASA Coordinator working to help 15 community organisations improve their

operational efficiency

· Secured funding for tools and materials for the Repair Cafe

· Ran the Repair Cafe weekly until lockdown in August 2021

· Continued with the successful Solar Bulk Buy with MESA

· Continued with the electric bike hire service with Moruya Bicycles

· Entered into a partnership with The TEC Exec (training and IT tools)

· Co-hosted the Climate Solutions 4 Eurobodalla forum in Bateman's Bay and assisted

with development of questions for ESC candidates

Key focus for the next 12 months will include but not be limited to:

• Building our membership and supporter base by creating opportunities for volunteers to contribute

• Southcoast Microgrid Reliability Feasibility (SµRF) project – microgrids feasibility project

• Tilba Halls upgrade

• Finding a site for a 3-4MW solar farm in the Eurobodalla

• Lobbying NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance for quick installation of the South Coast EV fast chargers

• Lobbying the Eurobodalla Shire Council to go ahead with residential food organics recycling

• Securing grant funding to establish more heatwave and bushfire havens across the Eurobodalla

• Running the Repair Cafe when lockdowns have lifted

• Encourage more households to install rooftop solar through the SHASA/MESA Solar Bulk Buy

• Extensive media to amplify SHASA projects and sustainable living

• Working with the Nature Conservation Council to secure EV fast chargers for the South Coast (Princes and Kings Highways)

• Encouraging the election of Eurobodalla Shire Councillors who will invest in increasing resilience of our communities

• Identifying funding options for MESA's Repurposing for Resilience Proposal – solar reuse, repurposing, recycling social enterprise

SHASA will continue to strive to achieve a more resilient Eurobodalla through projects that help the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to be better prepared for future extreme climatic events.

If you would like to be part of the SHASA family membership is only $5 and donations are welcome. You can join via our website at www.shasa.com.au