Once again community gathered on Wednesday, July 17th. The Mill in Echuca was a buzz, hosting the second event in our Let’s Talk About BIG Weather series. Themed “Liveable & Resilient Homes,” discussion focused on making our homes more suitable for the present & future, in the face of extreme weather conditions.
Event Overview
The intention behind this Let’s Talk About BIG Weather project is to raise awareness about the impacts of extreme weather on the Loddon Mallee region & to support the development of local practical solutions, to these very real challenges. This event brought together local experts & community members to share ideas for improving the resilience of our homes against floods, storms, fires & droughts.
Key Takeaways from the Speakers
Lisa Merkesteyn, Castlemaine Institute:
- Highlighted that over 50% of homes in Victoria were built before modern building standards were introduced
- Emphasised the importance of understanding the risks specific to each type of house & developing a home action plan
- Suggested simple yet effective measures like gap filling & draught proofing
- Recommended using the Home Upgrades for Climate Resilience Workbook for home improvement plans specific to house type
Layton Miller, SES Community Resilience:
- Urged attendees to assess their preparedness for emergencies by asking critical questions about emergency plans & available resources
- Highlighted essential tools & digital applications, such as the Vic Emergency App, Emergency Plan App, what3words app, & Emergency Plan resources to enhance emergency readiness
- Noted that most participants were not fully prepared, underscoring the need for action
Chris Corr, EcoSuccess & GV Community Energy:
- Discussed the inefficiency of Australian homes & the significant cost of heating & cooling
- Recommended transitioning to fully electric homes due to rising gas costs
- Stressed the importance of proper insulation & the benefits of using thermal cameras to detect gaps in the building that may be letting in hot or cold air
- Advised setting up a single room as a climate-safe zone for efficient heating & cooling
- Shared valuable resources like the My Efficient Electric Home Facebook Group & associated Handbook & the Energy Smart Housing Manual
Participant Input
Attendees actively contributed their ideas & plans to enhance their home resilience:
- Raising Rochester homes on stilts & increasing tree coverage for shade
- Creating home energy plans & reducing reliance on wood fires
- Advocating for systems change & access to community solar farms
- Downloading emergency management apps & finishing their emergency plans
- Installing solar panels, insulating homes & considering electric vehicles
- Encouraging landlords to upgrade rental properties with new sustainable features
- Pushing for more charging stations for electric vehicles & community solar panels in the Campaspe Shire
Outcomes & Next Steps
The event successfully raised awareness & sparked actionable ideas among participants. Key outcomes include:
- Increased understanding of the importance of home resilience & emergency preparedness
- Commitment from attendees to implement practical measures like draught proofing, insulation & creating emergency plans
- A collective interest in advocating for broader systems change & supporting community-based renewable energy solutions
- Campaspe Shire Council asking the team at Jumpleads | Make A Change to come back & do more work in the local area
There was also interest in starting a sustainability group in Echuca. If you would like to be involved in this, please contact Andrea Otto: [email protected]
Stay tuned for more updates & join us for our next event in Maryborough on July 26th, where we will continue our journey towards building more resilient & sustainable communities.
You’re also most welcome to attend our FREE Expand Your Impact workshops in September & October. For more information & to register visit Series 1 starting Tuesday 3rd Sept, Series 2 starting Thursday 24th Oct
Thank you to all who attended & contributed to this vital conversation!
This gathering is part of Let’s Talk About BIG Weather – raising awareness for & supporting the development of local solutions to the impacts of extreme weather. This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. To find out more visit www.makeachange.org.au/big-weather
