Our Impact
SCEG has provided local leadership and action in our community on climate, energy and related environmental challenges since 2008.
Climate Emergency Declaration
SCEG successfully petitioned Surf Coast Shire to declare a Climate Emergency in 2019.
Community Solar Projects
SCEG has created blueprints for community solar energy gardens, engaged local schools in solar projects and lobbied elected leaders for stronger clean energy targets.
Save Spring Creek
In partnership with the Greater Torquay Alliance, our SCEG community overturned planning decisions that would have seen overdevelopment of the Spring Creek area.
Media Campaign
Importance of the Otway Biolink
Restoration in the Valley
Media Campaign
Hands Off Spring Creek
For over 17 years SCEG fought tirelessly to protect the Spring Creek Valley. Working alongside the Greater Torquay Alliance and Protect Spring Creek Valley Group, our dedicated efforts culminated in a landmark victory. We secured a 100-year boundary on Duffields Road, safeguarding the valley from urban sprawl and unsustainable development. With this boundary in place, SCEG has shifted its focus toward transforming the valley into a thriving ecological haven. Our mission is now centred on maintaining a vital biolink to support biodiversity, preserve native flora and fauna, and create a sustainable future for generations to come. As part of SCEG's engagement with the state government's Distinctive Areas and Landscapes public consultation, we were invited by the Planning Panels Victoria committee to submit further details on our plan for the creation of a Community Woodland within the valley. SCEG has been working with partners to develop a landscape-level sustainability plan that identifies economic opportunities and incorporates elements including conservation of important biodiversity, improving access and amenity to community, improvement to water quality, strategies for community stewardship, and the purchase of important assets in the landscape through the creation of a community land trust. Contingent on the establishment of a permanent settlement boundary at Duffields Road, SCEG will further develop this plan through a series of community consultations and strategic partnerships.
Barwon Solar Schools
SCEG's Barwon Solar Schools project secured over $100,000 in grant funding from the Victorian Government to install 114 kW of solar PV on five primary schools in the Barwon region to reduce carbon emissions and electricity bills and fund further sustainability education activities. By mid-December 2021, the project had installed a 28 kW solar system at Aireys Inlet Primary School, a 22 kW solar system at each of Highton, Manifold Heights and Ocean Grove Primary Schools, and a 20 kW solar system at Birregurra Primary School. It is estimated these solar PV systems will collectively reduce carbon emissions by 155 tonnes and reduce electricity bills by over $20,000 each year. Over their 25-year life span, it is estimated these systems will collectively reduce carbon emissions by 3,875 tonnes and reduce electricity bills by over $500,000. Electricity cost savings will be used to fund further sustainability actions, especially those identified in Sustainability Victoria's ResourceSmart Schools program and modules on biodiversity, energy, waste and water to increase sustainability and sustainability education across school facilities, curricula and communities. In addition to grant funding from Round Five of the New Energy Jobs Fund, Surf Coast Energy Group contributed $2,000 of community donations raised via The People’s Solar crowd funding platform towards the cost of installing the solar PV system at Airey’s Inlet Primary School. Similarly, Birregurra Community Group facilitated a contribution of $2,500 from Birregurra & District Lions Club towards the cost of installing the solar system at Birregurra Primary School. In addition, most participating schools contributed between $2,000 - $6,000 to the cost of their respective systems. Announced by the Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, Round Five of the New Energy Jobs Fund supported the delivery of community-led renewable energy projects as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to achieving 40% renewables by 2025, 50% by 2030, and net zero emissions by 2050. Surf Coast Energy Group was pleased to work with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Department of Education and Training, Victorian School Building Authority, and each of the participating primary schools to deliver the Barwon Solar Schools project.
Human Signs Project
In 2008, schools across Victoria, including twelve from the Surf Coast Shire and Greater Geelong, collaborated with community Climate Action groups to create 'human signs' focused on climate change and building a better future. Students formed words, symbols, and sentences to be photographed and filmed from the air, contributing to a state-wide climate change campaign. The project, aimed at sending a clear message to Canberra about taking real action on climate change, highlighted young people's concerns about the urgent need for climate action. Over 30 schools participated, including Freshwater Creek Steiner School, Moriac Primary School, Winchelsea Primary School, Deans Marsh Primary School, Anglesea Primary School, Bellbrae Primary School, Torquay Primary School, St. Therese Primary School, Belmont High School, and Geelong East Primary School. The final multimedia product showcased their collective voice and was shared through media and campaigns. Additionally, all fuel miles for the aerial filming were offset by planting indigenous plants.
Think Resilience
SCEG sponsored the Think Resilience program for residents of Surf Coast Shire and Greater Geelong between 2019 to 2024. Developed by the Post Carbon Institute (PCI), Think Resilience consists of 22 short videos that explore the interrelated crises of the 21st century and offer solutions on what we as citizens, students, and community leaders can do to respond to them. Presented by Richard Heinberg in a simple and straightforward manner, Think Resilience provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues we face, introduces systems thinking and resilience science, and offers concrete ideas and strategies for engaging in building the resilience of our own communities. Over the course of 12 weeks, participants received these videos directly to their phones via SMS. We are proud to say that more than 120 people went through the program, gaining valuable insights and practical tools to navigate and respond to these challenges.
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The Power of Community
Explore the incredible community-driven ecological restoration of the Torquay/Jan Juc cliffs since the 1980s, and now the Spring Creek Valley.
This video was kindly made by students from the Photography Studies College, Melbourne.
Farm My School
SCEG has partnered with Farm My School, a non-profit that collaborates with schools to transform their underutilised grounds into regenerative farms that nourish, educate and connect communities. The Farm My School pilot program at Bellarine Secondary College aims to enhance their horticultural program, establish sustainability initiatives, and integrate regenerative farming into the curriculum. In its first 12 months it successfully engaged the community, introduced hands-on learning, and cultivated a regenerative market garden. The program connects farmers with schools and local businesses to provide healthy, organic produce to school families, canteens, and the wider community, fostering neighbourhood hubs focused on learning and connection.