President's Report April 2021

Ballarat Net Zero 2030!

At its 24 March meeting the City of Ballarat Council responded to a Council staff report on setting a community net zero target prepared by the Sustainability Officer, Ching Tiong Tan (Tan), unanimously endorsing a community net zero date of 2030 – as proposed by Cr Belinda Coates. It’s a decisive step in addressing the climate emergency, but one which will of course need to be matched with appropriate funding in the upcoming budget.

Thank you to all who wrote letters and made submissions to Council. Your voices were heard and your good work paid off. Now, of course we must keep reminding Council along with the rest of the community about what is at stake. We have only nine years left to slash emissions sufficiently to set the right trajectory for the Paris target of zero 2050.

'Decarbonising our Regional Cities' - A Ballarat Case Study’

We in Ballarat are relatively well placed to take the lead here, being in the Western Victorian Renewable Energy Zone, with some key industries – McCains and Mars – already showing the way. Interestingly on 20 April from 1-2 pm climate think tank, Beyond Zero Emissions, is holding a free webinar in collaboration with the Committee for Ballarat – Decarbonising our Regional Cities' - A Ballarat Case Study – So if you want to find out more about how local industry is responding to this challenge click the link above. 

Smart Living Ballarat

BREAZE welcomes the new Smart Living Ballarat coordinator/host - Sam Rodgers 

The next Smart Living Ballarat online talk on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 AT 12:30 PM is Meet Ballarat's EV Enthusiasts - an introduction to electric cars and includes interviews with Pat Hockey (Nissan Leaf), Sandra Hawkins (Tesla Model 3) and Sam Blanchard (Hyundai Kona) – about what it’s like having an electric car and where to purchase, maintain and charge an EV in Ballarat. Rob Law from Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance will also discuss the Charging our Regions Project. Log on via SLB Facebook

Ballarat Green Drinks - 'Facing the Future: Faith in Climate Action'

On Thursday 15 April at 7:30 pm Ballarat Green Drinks continues online. Our April presenter, Fahimah, is Sydney Convenor of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change and Director of Fahimah Designs, an architecture practice that specialises in energy efficient, low carbon buildings. Fahimah will talk about justice, diversity and her own journey in the climate movement. Fahimah will be speaking on why she got involved in climate activism, and why she choose ARRCC as her activism home. She will also be discussing the role that people of faith can play to broaden and deepen the climate justice movement, and the opportunities coming up with 'Sacred People, Sacred Earth', a global multifaith year of climate action. Register for free via Ballarat Green Drinks Facebook  

BREAZE Talks to Brett McDonald on Ballarat Today – Radio 3BA

The next BREAZE talk on 3BA is on Friday 23 April at 10:15 AM. We hope that members will tune in to hear Board member Emily Lee, talk to Brett about ‘What you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.’ It’s a topic with renewed importance now that Ballarat has a community net zero target date.

JOIN US! - 18th April Get-together for BREAZE members and friends

The Board invites all BREAZE members and friends to join us for a get-together on Sunday 18th April from 3-5 pm in the Champagne Lounge at the Lake View Hotel - to celebrate COVID normal and the BallaratNetZero2030 target – and to just catch up with friends.

BREAZE Social Solar

BREAZE Social Solar will be getting a bit of media attention soon as the ten major projects, 9 of which are being administered under the Grampians Renewable Energy Program come to fruition. Many thanks to all who have worked on and donated to the program. Please consider supporting the work of BREAZE Social Solar with a donation to One Dollar, One Watt –- https://breaze.org.au/one-dollar-for-one-watt All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Board Vacancies

If you have a passion for climate action and are interested in working with us on the BREAZE Board send us an expression of interest. We are particularly looking for people with experience in: Project management; Media/communications; Marketing; Information technology; Event management; Fund raising; or Writing grant applications. Please also note that BREAZE members are welcome to attend monthly Board meetings. Any member interested in joining the Board or in just attending the April Board meeting, now held via Zoom, should email me –

All the best

Mary