Warburton Community Hydro project to be constructed

The Warburton Community Hydro project will be constructed at the Warburton Golf Club, following a grant announcement from the State Government.

Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, announced $450,000 in grant funding to the project from the Government’s $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund grants in an event at the golf club on Monday, 25 September.

The funding accompanies  equivalent funding from Upper Yarra Community Enterprise (UYCE) and $100,000 in-kind support from Yarra Ranges Council and energy retailer Powershop.

As a result of the grant funding, a powerhouse will be constructed at the golf club, which will use water from Ythan Creek flowing through the course to generate power.

O’Shannassy Ward Councillor, Jim Child, said the funding announcement came after years of collaboration between UYCE, Council and the community.

“We’ve been across this project right from the start and we supported it strongly,” Cr Child said.

“To have the community on board, our local enterprise on board and our local municipality has been amazing.

“Congratulations to the newly-incorporated Upper Yarra Community Power, and thank you to the State Government for supporting this amazing project.”

Cr Child paid tribute to the efforts of late-chairman, Peter Kimberley, in bringing the project to life.

“We had one very strong member of our community and the chair of our community bank, Peter Kimberley, a strong supporter of this project and supporter of our community,” he said.

“He passed away, but he left a strong legacy with all of us that this project would continue.”

UYCE director Joy McConachy said Mr Kimberley’s contributions would be immortalised through the project.

“Peter was amazing on the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise, and we would like to officially name the powerhouse, when built, the Peter Kimberley Powerhouse, recognising his tireless work,” she said.

Joy McConachy, Cr Jim Child, Julian Guess, Luke Whiteside and Jaclyn Symes by the Ythan Creek in Warburton

Ms Symes said funding the Warburton Community Hydro Project would help to improve renewable energy capabilities.

“This project will demonstrate renewable power generation and will act as a pilot site for similar community energy projects using run of river mini hydro techniques,” Ms Symes said.

“It’s great to see local government, businesses and the community work together to develop innovative energy solutions for future generations.

“I am encouraged to see such a strong response to the second round of the New Energy Jobs Fund and hope that other communities follow Warburton’s lead.”

Water from the creek will be run through the mini- hydroelectric infrastructure and returned to the creek, with the power generated fed back into the power grid.

Money raised from this power will go to UYCE, which will distribute the money to the community through its sponsorship model.