Wednesday, 8 June 2022

 Ms WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (09:48): Last Sunday was World Environment Day, and what better way to mark the occasion than accompanying the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, to the launch of the inner-city community-led battery in North Fitzroy. The project is nearly entirely funded by the Andrews Labor government and is being delivered by the Yarra Energy Foundation. It will help lower carbon emissions and reduce energy prices for Victorians. Community batteries are solar powered and store energy throughout the day and release it to the local community during the evening peak, when people are more likely to be using electricity. Might I make special mention of all the partners of this project who helped make this possible, including Yarra Energy Foundation chair David Anstee, who hosted the event; CitiPower; the Yarra City Council; Pixii, who designed and manufactured the battery; and last but not least, artist Hayden Dewar, who has produced a brilliant piece that features on the battery. This project is just one of the many ways the Andrews Labor government is taking action on climate, and Victoria is leading the nation in reducing emissions and in renewable energy. Only a Labor government can and will be able to take real action on climate.