Dear Members and Supporters,

It is an exciting time for ZEN Inc. with a number of projects and possible new initiatives underway the help us to achieve our target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the Noosa Shire by 2026. By clicking on any of the items highlighted you can choose the items you wish to read in more detail.

ZEN Board & Annual Report

We have seen some changes on the ZEN Inc. Board at our AGM that was held on 7 March. A huge vote of thanks to Vivien Griffin, our founder, former Chair and more recently our Treasurer who has stepped back from the board to concentrate on leading a number of ZEN Inc’s key projects – Solar for Strata, the EV Expo and Street Fest and until recently, our Community Battery project. Roman Raudonikis, a long time ZEN Inc. Board member, Secretary and Chair of the ZEN E Working Group has also stood down from the Board after many years of great service. Their contributions and leadership have been invaluable. We are pleased to welcome a number of new members to our Board. Jannina Sourander is our new Secretary and Lyn Allen re-joins the Board as Treasurer. We also welcome Angela Cooney, Roshan Dharmasena, Gabriele Sartori and Jane Dillon to the Board. With a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience from a variety of backgrounds, ZEN Inc. is indeed fortunate to have them. We look forward to their guidance and contributions to ZEN Inc.’s work.

2021 was a very busy and productive year for ZEN Inc. with projects and activities. The Chair’s Report and our 2021 Annual Report can be accessed on our web page for a closer look at 2021 in review. The Annual Report has been sent to Crs. and organisations with whom ZEN Inc. has an MOU.

Key ZEN Projects

We have a number of key projects that are progressing well. The Solar for Strata project is well under way with 8 lucky body corporates being chosen to work with a case study manager to help them to overcome the barriers to installing solar and benefiting from lower power costs. A plan to create an energy hub at the Rufous Street precinct at Peregian Beach is gaining traction. An article on the Peregian Beach Energy Hub, project leader John Hare, outlines the objectives of the project and the opportunities it presents.

The Community Batteries Project, until recently very ably led by Vivien Griffin, has been doing a power of work in planning for community batteries in the Noosa Shire to capture the excess solar we generate during the day for use at night, thereby reducing the need for coal fired generation whilst also providing support for the grid network. Geoff Acton now leads the strong team that has been assembled working with Council, Yarra Energy Foundation, University of Sunshine Coast and Energex. ZEN Inc. submitted an application for a Queensland Government Community Sustainability Grant to develop a “Business Plan for a Network of Community Batteries in the Noosa LGA”. We were also pleased to be invited to the announcement by Shadow Climate Minister, Chris Bowen MP, that the ALP would commit to funding the installation of a community battery in Noosaville if they won Government, so we’re looking forward to that. This is exactly the sort of initiative we look to from Government. The team is in the process of identifying suitable locations, so if you have ideas please email us at info@zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au.

Support ZEN Inc’s Projects By Having Your Say on the Draft Council Budget

It’s time for the community to have their say on the Noosa Council draft 2022-23 Budget.

Consultation starts on Monday 23 May and closes midnight Sunday 5 June. Share your ideas via the Your Say Noosa website and click on Council Budget Engagement Process 2022/2023.

ZEN Inc. submitted a number of proposals to the Climate Change Response Plan Community Reference Group for consideration in the Council Budget process. Support these projects in the Budget Consultation process to help ZEN Inc’s work to reaching the target of zero net greenhouse gases by 2026.

Councillors will hold two Community Q&A sessions to gauge residents’ views. They are at Cooroy Library Wednesday June 1 between 11am and 1pm and at Noosaville Library Thursday June 2 between 10am and 2pm.

ZEN Events

Vivien Griffin is leading the planning and coordination for this year’s 2022 Noosa Electric Vehicle Expo and Street Fest to be held on Sunday 19 June, 10am – 2pm. This will be a much bigger event than in previous years, with a Speakers’ Forum, trial rides and a large number of exhibitors who will be able to help answer your questions about everything EV. It is ZEN Inc’s flagship event. Put the date in your calendar.

With the assistance of our Community Engagement Officer, Meghan Halvorsen, we have held a number of community forums and information sessions at the Cooroy and Noosaville libraries and at the Peregian Beach Community House. More of these events are planned so go to our Events tab to see what is on offer.

Noosa Council Events

Noosa Council has two exciting new initiatives to let your family & friends know about.  To celebrate World Environment Day and reduce textiles going to landfill, the Economic Development Unit, have organised a Textile Recycling Drive - Give A Sheet for the Planet, on Sunday, June 5, 8am – 3pm at the Bicentennial Park carpark in Sunshine Beach. Donated linen will then be converted into valuable, high-grade materials by BlockTexx that can be used by Australian manufacturers to create new products such as hydro-mulch, shopping baskets and geosynthetic fabrics, and all clothing will be utilised by St Vincent de Paul. Register and see you there!

ZEN Inc. has been working with Council’s new Climate Change Officer, Sally Jensen on the Biz to Net Zero Event to be held on Thursday, June 02, 7.30am at The J. Businesses that have already started their journey to net zero by reducing their carbon footprint and their emissions, will outline what and how they have done this and provide many helpful tips for those either starting on this journey or wanting to do more to save on their operating costs and help the planet.

Spread the word about what we are doing at ZEN Inc. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming ZEN Inc. event. Let’s all work together to help reach our goal of net zero emissions by 2026.

Anne Kennedy
Chairperson, Zero Emissions Noosa Inc.
May, 2022