The Riddells Creek Sustainability group is a non-profit organisation with no political affiliations. Its focus is assisting the community of Riddells Creek to find ways of living more simply and working together in a sustainable manner.

We began as a group of interested residents with connections to Greening of Riddell, Riddells Creek Landcare and Clarkefield & District Farm/Landcare.

We are the local group that originally brought the Solar Power Neighbourhood idea to Riddell.

Current status: 76 houses in Riddells Creek have installed a 1 kW or larger system with many more households installing systems in the Macedon Ranges.

Sunday Solar Picnic – February 21, 3 pm at Wybejong Park, (car park is opposite the T intersection to Sunbury) Riddells Creek.  BYO afternoon tea to share, chair, ideas, power bills for discussion. 

We are inviting current and interested solar power/hot water participants to celebrate our project.  This gathering will also be an opportunity to discuss how we use the coordinators’ fee for a community project. 

Do you have an idea on how these funds can be used? Contact us with ideas about how the money can advance other sustainable projects in Riddells Creek, Julie: cdlc@hotkey.net.au

Currently Riddells Creek Sustainability can offer you

• A Solar Hot Water deal.  To apply logon to www.rezeko.com and apply to Riddells Creek 3.  You need to login and create a user name and password.
•  Solar electricity system. To apply logon to www.rezeko.com and apply to Riddells Creek 3.
• A Green Power deal through WISE
• Free home energy audit assessment

The intent of which is:

• Green energy through WISE (Woodend Integrated Sustainable Energy)  Details of WISE Power are available at the www.wisegroup.org.au
• Sustainable Food Projects
• Community Education Projects

Free Home Energy Audit Assessment

Want to reduce your bills and be comfortable in your home but don’t know where to start?

The program offers a free home sustainability assessment and report. The report recommends specific changes that can help you to save money, energy and water.  If you want to make any of the changes recommended in the report, you can apply for a Green Loan. Green Loans can be up to $10,000 and are interest free for up to 4 years.

Why do it?

• Find out what improvements are best for you
• Make changes that suit your home and your budget
• Save on energy and water bills
• Improve the efficiency of your home and reduce carbon emissions

The home sustainability assessment is free and involves a qualified assessor inspecting your home.  It will involve an inspection of energy and water efficiency, heating and cooling, lighting, refrigeration and waste management. This information is used to calculate your environmental impact and provide you with a tailored report advising the most effective changes for your home.

This advice may range from small and easy changes such as changing light bulbs, to major investments such as a solar hot water system or photovoltaic panels. The assessment takes about 1.5 hours to complete. 

For a free home assessment from your local assessor, phone Ian de Silva on 0424572722 or 5428 7823.

After your assessment, you may choose to apply for a green loan to make bigger changes around your home. It is not compulsory to apply for the loan. Your assessment will be valid for 6 months for the purpose of applying for a green loan.   Renters and home owners can apply.  Retrofitting can be sourced from EcoMaster 54288527.
Further details can be accessed at www.livinggreener.gov.au or call the  Dept Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Hotline on 1800 895 076.