Community Energy and the Power of Local Community Action

At our recent DisasterWISE Get-Together, we were joined by Matthew Charles-Jones from Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY), a grassroots group with ambitions to power their Victorian community with 100% renewable energy. Yackandandah is now a nationally recognised example of what is possible when communities lead processes and projects, while working toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

In 2014 TRY launched with initial conversations and an underpinning driver for action. This included the Indigo Shire Renewables Forum and a year of stalls in the main street and markets to engage and explore community perspectives.

By building relationships and working together, TRY and the community started to gather momentum through community workshops and their first solar shared purchasing program.

With runs on the board, the hot water system shared purchasing program and trial microgrids were the precursors to creating a virtual power plant and trying new things including the latest battery technologies, and then initiating Indigo Power.

With a number of awards, a 100% Renewable Strategy, EV chargers and solar systems with batteries being installed in community facilities and emergency services TRY and the Yackandandah community have reached 64% renewables in 2025.

See TRY timeline: https://totallyrenewableyack.org.au/kookaburra/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Timeline-Infographic-A3-final.jpg

At the Get-Together, we explored how Yackandandah’s energy journey has grown from household installations to neighbourhood microgrids, and now a not-for-profit energy retailer, Indigo Power. These efforts have not only reduced emissions and energy costs, but they have also strengthened the community’s relationships and capacity to adapt, organise and support one another in times of disruption.

This example demonstrates how communities can transition from passive recipients of services to active designers of their own future.

We left the session inspired by Yackandandah’s example and energized to keep building the foundations of strong, just and thriving communities. Whether it’s through local energy projects, food systems, emergency planning or disaster preparedness, one thing is clear: the most enduring and meaningful solutions come from the ground up.

Thank-you Matt for sharing your expertise and to Pete Williams for facilitating the session.

If you missed the Get Together or want to connect with others exploring community-led energy, jump onto the DisasterWISE Learning Platform to connect, learn and drive change in your own community.

Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) aiming for 100% renewables.