Don’t be bamboozled … there is a solution for everything
Brendan Lang, Get off Gas, at the Affordable and Renewable Energy for All forum, 26 August 2026
Climate Action Merri-bek convenor Maggie Cowling opened the Affordable and Renewable Energy for All forum on 26 August, acknowledging First Nations and welcoming guests. About 35 people came to hear a panel of energy experts and experienced community members, and to ask about their own energy needs.
MC Tim Baxter of Rewiring Australia highlighted that in Victoria we are making steady progress towards fully renewable energy, although we have a way to go to get rid of coal entirely. At the same time, as Ari Pickering from Friends of the Earth Energy Justice program explained:
solar and batteries are eating gas’s lunch … in electricity
The rapid take up of solar panels and batteries means there is a lot of ‘dispatchable’ power available in the system and decreasingly little need for gas turbines to provide rapid dispatch.
The main challenge for getting off gas in homes is replacing gas appliances, particularly for heating, cooking and hot water. As Ari emphasised, this highlights a key issue – we are seeing the emergence of ‘energy haves and have-nots’.
Three main steps for saving on energy and benefitting from renewables are:
- draughtproof and insulate your home
- electrify – get off gas and replace inefficient appliances with efficient electric ones
- install solar panels and batteries if you can
But not everyone is equally able to do these things. Those who are unable to get off gas will end up paying more as gas becomes increasingly expensive, as well as continuing to suffer health risks from gas.
People on low incomes, renters, those living in apartments and units, and even owners of old, cold and draughty houses with limited electrical capacity, face challenges.
Donna Luckman from Merri-Bek Council explained that we have a high proportion of these groups in this area. Cultural and language barriers can also make it harder to find information.
Donna outlined support from Council, which is doing a great deal, particularly for groups facing challenges. The Zero Carbon Merri-bek website provides information, particularly through the Energy Switch pages. You can also also subscribe to Council’s Eco eNews to find out more, including workshops and new programs and activities.
Val Kay, vice-convenor of Climate Action Merri-bek, described how she has gradually been able to bring her 1960s apartment to a high standard of sustainability, without spending huge sums of money. Val outlined support available from state and federal government, and non-government organisations, in addition to council support.
More detailed information on support available can be found on our Sustainable Living page.
Val noted that changes to electricity pricing, through increasing supply costs, are disadvantaging people who already face challenges, and also those who have installed solar and batteries. Find out more at Solar Citizens.
Finally, Brendan spoke about practical challenges, urging people to get to know their appliances, and consult with accredited electricians about their home electrical wiring. There is much misinformation about electrification and most apparent problems can be solved. If you are uncertain how to find accredited electricians and other tradespeople, Solar Savers through Merri-bek council can help and the Victorian government has lists of approved installers.
In the Q and A, audience members asked about support for renters, solar in heritage areas, when is a battery justified, reliability of appliances, hot water systems for apartments, solar system certification and timers for charging devices. James Clough, panel member and professional engineer, spoke briefly on how to save on bills and find the best electricity retail plan for you.
If you are interested in these topics, or any topic covered in the forum, a video is available on our YouTube channel. The Q and A starts at about one hour in.
Follow up in the coming election
In conclusion, hopefully Brendan is right that there is a solution for every challenge – but not all the solutions are available yet.
For example, the recent inquiry into affordable and renewable energy for apartments in Victoria recommended regulations allowing ‘plug-in’ batteries and ‘balcony solar’, which could be particularly useful to people in apartments, including high-rise blocks. Energy ministers across Australia have now agreed in principle to support these measures.
In Victoria, however, we are facing an election in a few months. On current policies, it seems some candidates and parties in Victoria will not offer any more support for affordable and renewable energy and may wind back or get rid of support that currently exists.
Climate Action Merri-bek will follow these issues up at candidates’ forums in the electorates of Brunswick, Pascoe Vale and Broadmeadows during the election period in November 2026. Please feel free to get in touch via climateactionmerribek@gmail.com to raise any question or issue you would like us to follow up
The forum was presented in partnership with Rewiring Australia, Zero Carbon Merri-bek, Friends of the Earth Energy Justice Project, Get Off Gas, Renew (thank you also to Renew for the door prize, that was fun!) and SEC Victoria. It was also supported by Solar Citizens and Neighbours United for Climate Action. Thank you to all presenters and organisations involved, and in particular to audience members.