Warby Community Hydro Project completed

The Warburton Community Hydro Project has been officially opened, following the completion of works and commissioning of the system.

The Kimberley Powerhouse, named after the community bank’s former chair, at the Warburton Golf Club uses water from Ythan Creek to generate power, before returning the water back to the creek.

O’Shannassy Ward Councillor, Jim Child, said the project, which has been in discussion and development for more than 10 years, was completed through collaboration between government, business and the Warburton community.

“Central to the success of the project has been the collaboration of the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank branches, Yarra Ranges Council, Victorian State Government, Powershop, our local tradespeople, the builders of the system River Power Tasmania and many local community members,” Cr Child said.

“The hydro system provides the town with a renewable energy option and a return of sustainable profits to the community.”

The turbine will produce a maximum of 100kW of power and can operate at all hours, and will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 700 tonnes per year.

Power generated by the powerhouse will be purchased by energy retailer, Powershop. Income from the sale of the electricity will be managed by Upper Yarra Community Power, to repay the project’s costs, and profits will go to Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank branches (operated by the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise).

From there, money will be delivered to the community through the community bank’s sponsorship programs.

Julian Guess, Luke Whiteside, Peter Van Loon, Josh Tomlin, Nick Killey and Geoff Vickers at the opening of the Warburton Community Hydro Project.

UYCE Executive Officer, Geoff Vickers, said the project will be an inspiration for other communities looking at miniature hydro projects.

“The Community Hydro Scheme is incredibly important to our town as it provides the community with valued self-reliance and the ability for it to generate its own income and help determine its future,” he said.

“The project shows what can happen when community, business and government combine for the greater good.

“We’re proud that this initiative can act as a blueprint for other community led mini hydro schemes.”

Environmental design considerations at the hydro project with a minimum environmental creek flow and creekside revegetation will help ensure water quality and improve habitat.

The unique underground structure housing the Australian built turbine ensures almost zero noise emissions from the turbine.

Climate Councillor and internationally-renowned climate scientist, Professor Will Steffensen praised the project for its collaboration between Council and the community.

"More and more, we're seeing collaborations between council and community underpin renewable energy projects," Prof. Steffenson said.

"Not only does this initiative highlight the power of collective local action to transition Australia’s energy landscape toward renewables, it also shows how clean energy projects can be beautiful and harmonious within the natural environment too."

The unique underground structure housing the Australian built turbine ensures almost zero noise emissions from the turbine.

The project was funded with $450,000 from the Victorian Government’s New Energy Jobs Fund and $650,000 funding from UYCE, along with $100,000 in-kind support from Yarra Ranges Council and Powershop.

The Warburton Community Hydro Project was officially opened on Monday, 29 October, 2018 by State Government representatives, along with Upper Yarra Community Power Chairman Luke Whiteside and the group’s directors and representatives from Powershop, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Council, Powershop, Bendigo Bank, River Power Tasmania and Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank branches.

O'Shannassy Ward Councillor, Jim Child, addressing community members at the Warburton Community Hydro opening.