Donate to SHASA Public Fund by June 30
SHASA spends 100% of your tax deductible donations on projects that support our mission of Climate Leadership and Adaptation for the Eurobodalla and beyond. We continue to seek funding for practical projects that cut energy costs and support local communities to transition to clean energy.
For the 2024/25 Financial Year SHASA used your generous donations to:
- Employ a Project Coordinator to Develop a Community Facility Resilience Strategy so that we can secure grant funds for solar, batteries, EV chargers, LED lighting etc to cut energy costs and make community spaces more comfortable year round.
- Purchase two 3m high gazebos to use at EV Expos for much needed shading over cars and volunteers
- Install an air quality monitoring station at a Bushfire and Heatwave Haven in Batemans Bay
- Support the Repurposing for Resilience “Computers 4 Community” project which gives new life to old computers, monitors and laptops. These are then gifted to people in need and not for profits.
It’s Tax Time, and you will receive a tax deduction for donating to the SHASA Public Fund.
You can donate online: www.shasa.com.au/membership-and-donations/
or make a deposit into:
SHASA PUBLIC FUND
IMB Bank BSB 641-800
Account 200924351
SHASA’s Latest Newsletter now out – May-June 2025
NSW Government Battery Incentives
More info see – NSW Government – Energy
Demand for energy efficient houses growing across Australia
ABC News, 29 May 2025
As the energy transition ramps up, Australia risks becoming a more unequal society. Here’s what needs to change
The Guardian, 27 May 2025
Australia is about to see a step change in its renewable transition strategy
Renew Economy, 26 May 2025
‘Two years to build and two days to lose’: Elisha thought her Taree cafe was safe – until it was under water
The Guardian, 25 May 2025
How to get solar panels on your apartment building in Australia
Do your research and get the neighbours onboard
The Guardian, 24 May 2025
lllawarra named as NSW’s first urban renewable energy zone in push for local power solutions
ABC News, 2 May 2025
Australia is on the cusp of a home battery boom
The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 May 2025
Plugging into the power of poles
ABC News, 14 May 2025
Australia’s best new sustainable homes of 2025 – in pictures
The Guardian, 14 May 2025
Donate to SHASA Public Fund before June 30
Draft Batemans Bay Master Plan – got questions? Want to know more?
Plastic waste from oyster farms shredded to combat 126-tonne stockpile
ABC News, 10 May 2025
Battery giant CATL showcases three innovations: 1500km range battery, 520km in 5 minutes ultra-fast charging, and 2025 mass-production sodium-ion battery
Car News China, 21 April 2025
Home battery subsidy explainer
What is the home battery subsidy?
Who is eligible?
When does it start?
What are the benefits of a battery?
ABC News, 7 May 2025
Australians choose batteries over nuclear after election fought on energy
ABC News, 6 May 2025
Sustainable House Day- book a tour!
USE THE LINK BELOW TO BOOK!
3 tour time slots still available for the Moruya Low Energy Sustainable House.
9.30am- 10.30am
11.00am-12noon (Sold Out )
1.00pm-2.00pm
2.30pm-3.30pm
Book here: https://sustainablehouseday.com/…/low-energy…/
On Sunday 4 May, 150 homes across Australia will open their doors and share their experience of building, retro-fitting and living in sustainable homes.
Sustainable House Day, hosted by Renew, is an annual, national event offering the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most inspiring green homes, and learn from the people who designed them, built them and live in them.
If you are thinking about building, renovating or retrofitting to make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable, the Sustainable House Day program offers many ways to learn from experts across the country, local community groups, homeowners and electric vehicle drivers in your neighbourhood.
Ticket sales for open house tours must close midday Friday 2 May. BOOK NOW!
Explore the homes and buy tickets at sustainablehouseday.com
Southcoast Health & Sustainability Alliance (Facebook link)
Why Australia’s most prominent climate change deniers have stopped talking about the climate
The Guardian, 27 April 2025
What do more renewables mean for our electricity system?
ABC News, 26 April 2025
Speak up for rooftop solar this election
| It’s only just over a week until the federal election, and it’s time for us to demand that our political leaders are upfront with their plans for the future of rooftop solar in our neighbourhoods. Recently, the Solar Citizens team helped release new data showing exactly how expensive nuclear energy would be for Australian households. The research, produced by Energy & Resource Insights, found that for the same cost of building a new nuclear industry, all Australian homes could be equipped with solar and batteries three times over![1] Households powered by solar and batteries pay an average of just $328 per year on electricity bills, but under the Coalition’s proposed nuclear scheme, the average household would have an annual bill of $2,721. There is deafening silence from the Coalition about the impact of their nuclear plans on rooftop solar for Australian households, so vote for those who support solar. To enable nuclear power plants to be economically viable, the federal Opposition has stated that they will run new nuclear power plants 24/7, even during the day when we have ample renewable energy powered by the sun. In order to do this, they will need to cut off cheaper rooftop solar panels using new rules to switch off our inverters and force us to purchase nuclear energy instead. This has been termed the Nuclear Solar Switch Off, and will hit our energy bills hard. You can find out more about the Nuclear Solar Switch Off, and how to stop it, at the Solar Citizens website https://www.solarcitizens.org.au/nuclear_vs_solar Sign the Save Our Solar petition & talk to your neighbours who have solar panels about this issue. Your community needs to be made aware of the risks associated with nuclear energy to rooftop solar systems and energy bills. In sunny solidarity, Heidi, for the Solar Citizens team |
| [1] Solar Citizens, Nuclear Scheme could cost households more for decades [2] Solar Citizens, The Nuclear Solar Switch Off |
| Solar Citizens Greenhouse, Level 3, 180 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Solar Citizens acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work. Their sovereignty was never ceded. Solar Citizens is a supporter of the First Nations Clean Energy Network – a network led by cultural leaders working to ensure that First Nations communities play a central role and share in the benefits of the shift to clean energy. You can support their work here. |
Why Strategic Voting Maximises Your Vote’s Power
Learn how strategic voting can transform Australia’s politics.
Empower your vote to challenge ALP-LNP dominance using preferences effectively.
The Australian Independent Network Media, 23 April 2025
SHASA’s Latest Newsletter now out – April-May 2025
2025 Federal Election Special Edition
Climate & Energy Scorecard
Here’s how the political parties score on the issues that matter to our climate.
SECA (South East Climate Alliance)
Coalition scores just 1/100 points for environment and climate policies from conservation organisation
The Guardian, 15 April 2025
Coal-funded Australians for Prosperity deletes posts after AEC intervention
ABC News, 11 April 2025
Consumers left footing the bill as gas companies see asset values dwindle
ABC News, 9 April 2025
Nickel Lies, EV Truths: Exposing the Con
EV Curve Futurist, 7 April 2025
Aussies are not dumb?
YouTube, 7 April 2025
Federal Labor to help households slash their electricity bills by subsidising home batteries
The Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) strongly supports Federal Labor’s pledge of $2.3b for a 30% subsidy for household batteries. Labor expects the discount to help see 1 million new batteries installed by 2030, with the policy to be in place from July 2025.
Currently there are four million household roof top solar systems and only 100,000 batteries, due to the upfront cost of batteries. A 30% subsidy (approx $4000) will assist up to one million households to install batteries. These batteries will save households up to $1,100 per annum on their electricity bills.
SHASA President Kathryn Maxwell said “this is the smartest and most cost effective way to enable the excess solar generated during the day to be stored and then made available for the peak in consumption in the evening. Importantly it will reduce the amount of peaking gas used in the evenings which is very expensive.
Unlike big batteries household batteries do not require extra transmission lines which are also very expensive. And there is little need for extra investment in poles and wires and power stations as the electricity provider and the electricity consumer are co-located so everyone will be better off”.
SHASA President Kathryn Maxwell said “I have roof top solar, batteries and an electric vehicle charged by solar, and only draw 1-2kWh of electricity from the grid. I save money and reduce pressure on Essential Energy’s poles and wires, its a win for the whole community”.
Media Contact: Kathryn Maxwell
0467 558 645
contact.shasa@gmail.com
Your house is becoming uninsurable due to climate risks. Albo and Dutton won’t mention it
Crikey., 31 March 2025
A quiet shift: The grid is being redefined by household consumers who no longer need it full time
RenewEconomy, 31 March 2025
“Cheapest domestic energy there’s ever been:” How rooftop solar has slashed bills for all
One Step Off The Grid, 27 March 2025
The Electrification Tipping Point
The energy, economic, and emissions impacts of electrifying Australia’s homes and vehicles.
Rewiring Australia, March 2025
The Community Health and Wellbeing Survey is now open for residents of Eurobodalla
Monash University and Fire to Flourish researchers are seeking to understand:
How your community has recovered over these past five years
The health challenges you’ve faced before, during, and after the fires
What support would and could make a difference
Your experience helps provide an overall picture of the community’s health needs and priorities, to shape better support and services for regional communities across Australia.
The survey is completely anonymous and takes about 30 minutes to complete.
You’ll receive a $30 gift card for completing the survey.
Look out for the survey invitation in your letterbox soon.
Community Health and Wellbeing Survey: Five years after the 2019-20 bushfires – Fire to Flourish
Why the South Coast needs a Local Energy Hub
Moruya Mail, 19 March 2025
It’s time to embrace Dugnadsånd – the Norwegian concept we all need right now
The Guardian, 24 March 2025
Climate action saves you money and makes your home more comfortable (SHASA Earth Hour Presentation)
Hi, I’m Kathryn Maxwell, and I’m the President of the South Coast Health and Sustainability Alliance, or SHASA as we like to say. I’ve been working in the environment and climate space for decades. I will outline measures that not only reduce your carbon emissions but also will save you money. I’m very happy to be here today because it has never been easier for individuals, families, businesses and even governments to change.
And what is the change that I’m here to talk about? It’s about ELECTRIFYING everything.
What’s the story with going all electric?
The best way to run your home – for your wallet and for the climate – is to have all electric appliances and cars powered by clean electricity. It’s less than half the running cost of a fossil fuel home and it’s how we’ll have the biggest impact on climate this decade.
The largest portion of domestic emissions is from our households, they produce 42.4% of Australia’s emissions. Almost all of these emissions come from energy, the machines in our daily lives. Petrol cars, gas heaters, gas water heaters, gas stoves, and the fossil fuel power plants supplying most of Australia’s grid network electricity.
The solution to these emissions is switching our fossil fuel machines to efficient electric versions and powering them with clean electricity, including lots of rooftop solar.
Another benefit of electric machines is that they are far more efficient than their fossil fuel counterparts. This comes down to thermodynamics. Electric machines waste less energy.
With this combination of saving on energy costs with solar and more efficient energy use with electric machines, it turns out we can have the same comfort at a fraction of the running costs and no energy emissions.
1. Installing rooftop solar systems
Many people ask SHASA is it still worth installing a rooftop solar system when the feed-in tariffs are so low. A quick check of retailers shows they are offering a feed-in tariff of between 5c and 10c per kWh on the South Coast.
That’s not a lot, but if you use the solar electricity yourself instead it will save you around 35c per kWh the average price you would pay the electricity company. If you have a 6kw or bigger rooftop solar system, you probably use about half of the solar electricity you generate. If you own an electric car, you can use nearly all of your own generated electricity – not just low-cost power, but low-cost transport too.
You can save even more – if you do not have a battery, run appliances like air conditioners, dishwashers, and washing machines during the day. Put a timer on your electric hot water to heat up while solar output is high. If you can, put other appliances on timers to run during the day, i.e. when the sun is shining and generating solar energy.
So can you afford all these savings? Roughly: an 8kW solar system will generate annual savings of $1,200. At current prices it will take about six and a half years to pay off the system through your cost savings. As the price of electricity goes up, and the price of solar panels goes down, the payback period gets shorter. After that, you have free electricity for the next 20 years or more. Over its 25 year lifetime, rooftop solar costs about 5 cents per kWh financed, cheaper than any other source of home energy.
So, yes, it’s still worth installing a rooftop solar system if you can.
2. What about installing a battery?
Having a battery means that instead of feeding your excess solar into the grid, you can store it for later. I have a battery because I want to be 100% on renewable energy and because I do use the air conditioner in the evening on cold and hot nights. Also I like having my electricity stay on when the grid goes down. A 10kW battery will cost approximately $10,000 before any rebates.
The NSW Government is currently providing a subsidy for home battery purchases. As of 1 November 2024, the NSW Government has launched the NSW solar battery rebate as part of the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS). This program aims to help homes and businesses with rooftop solar systems maximize their energy efficiency, improve the grid overall, and reduce electricity costs by installing battery storage.
3. Get off gas
Switching from gas to electric appliances can save households between $500 and $1,900 annually on energy bills, depending on gas prices in your area. On the South Coast we use bottled gas which is more expensive than piped gas so the savings may be even greater.
Turning off the gas improves indoor air quality and occupant health. Studies show that cooking with gas—especially in older kitchens and buildings with poor ventilation—increases the risk of asthma and respiratory illness in children, and other vulnerable groups. It produces harmful pollution even when its not being used for cooking and heating.
So, go all electric. Disconnect the gas heater, replace your gas stove with an electric stove, preferably induction, and replace gas hot water with electric, preferably a super-efficient hot water heat pump. Heat pump hot water systems use 60-75% less electricity than conventional electric water heaters, saving you around $550 per year.
4. Maximise benefits of rooftop solar by having an Electric Vehicle
Cars consume a lot of energy. Most Australians spend around $100 per week or $5,000 per year on petrol (or diesel), compared to around $2,000 for electricity and $1,000 for gas.
If you own an electric car and charge it using your excess solar electricity, it will only cost you the feed-in tariff. I own an MG4 with a 64 kWh battery. It costs me $3.20 for 400+ km of driving. A Toyota Corolla hybrid, a similar hatchback for about the same purchase price, would use around $29 worth of petrol to travel the same distance, about nine times the cost. If we look at the larger vehicles most people drive, the cost to travel 400 km would be around $96, or a factor of 30 times the cost of my EV.
The benefits of EVs are known to those of us who drive them, but they can be swamped by these negative stories. Contrary to the fossil fuel industry’s PR, EVs are actually:
- much cheaper to run, especially if you charge using rooftop solar. It’s more than 10x cheaper to charge at home than at a fast charger. You only use fast chargers when travelling long distances
- extremely cheap to maintain — no combustion engine causing damage to vehicle parts, no gearbox, very few moving parts
- clean — they do not emit toxic fumes into the air, thus greatly reducing very harmful air pollution
- quiet — so quiet they have to ping when reversing to warn pedestrians to keep clear
- more efficient — they do not waste energy in producing unwanted heat, as combustion engines do
- very nippy — EVs have excellent acceleration
- much easier to drive
- safer — they are less likely to have accidents because of modern driver assistance technology on board
- an EV has a much, much lower chance of catching fire than a combustion vehicle. Yes, really. (“an EV passenger vehicle is around 100 times less likely to catch fire than a traditional vehicle” Drive.com)
- have batteries that last a long time. A new study released by Australian used car marketplace Pickles shows that electric vehicles maintain more than 90 per cent of their battery health, even after 120,000 kilometres and more than four years on the road. The battery will far outlast your car. Hyundai EVs showed an impressive 99.31 percent battery health after 120,000 kms, while BYD was a close second at 98.62 per cent, exceeding Tesla’s previous record.
5. What should I do first to reduce my energy costs for my home? Tenants can also get some tips from the following list.
1. Install a roof top solar system
2. Replace your gas appliances with efficient electric onesThe cheapest and most energy efficient way to heat and cool a house is a modern reverse cycle air conditioner (heat pump). Install in the living room and one bedroom.
3. Right size your appliances. Your choices really matter – select an energy efficient fridge (which will need to run 24/7), and buy up to 400 litres, no bigger (bigger the fridge the more energy it uses). Use the star rating to help you compare – a 4 star front loading washing machine or dishwasher uses 50% less energy and water than one with fewer stars – that means savings for you. Choose models that don’t waste energy by heating water – your heat pump does that far more efficiently
4. Seal your doors to eliminate gaps around and under them, especially external doors. Install weather seals around windows where there are air gaps
5. Install warm white LED lighting
6. Install thermal-backed curtains and blinds on windows. Install external awnings on all western and eastern windows. Choose window finishes that block heat and drafts. Choose double glazing where you can
7. Install R5 ceiling insulation and R2.5 underfloor insulation and R2.5 in walls if building from new
8. When the NSW government announces incentives for hot water heat pumps, buy one to heat your hot water
So that’s my take away after my years working in this space and living in a modest energy-efficient home built in a factory in Moruya. Our home will be open to the public on 4 May. Tours will take place between 10am – 3pm. I have flyers with more details. There will be free giveaways and more information about SHASA. Hope to see you there.
Footnotes
- Key statistics from the Clean Energy Australia 2024 report:
- Renewables account for 39.4 per cent of Australia’s total electricity supply.
If looking purely at fuel costs, the average rate of fuel consumption of vehicles in Australia is 7.5 km per litre of petrol (or 13.4 L per 100 km) – which at $2 per litre, equals about 27 cents on fuel per kilometre.
ClubGrants fund SHASA to create 8th bushfire and heatwave haven in Eurobodalla
Moruya Mail, 22 March 2025