Chantelle Johns, (Community Coordinator, Original Power)
Eddie Newchurch, (Chairperson, Point Pearce Aboriginal Community)
Michael Tuckwell, (Chief Executive Officer, Ekistica Pty Ltd)
Lauren Mellor, (Co-Director, Clean Energy Communities, Original Power)
Across Australia, millions of households are already benefiting from rooftop solar, and more are starting to access batteries and other clean energy upgrades. But too many First Nations households - especially those in social housing, community housing, rental homes and remote communities - are still locked out of these benefits.
This session asks what energy justice looks like at the household level, and what it will take to make sure First Nations people can access affordable, reliable and clean power where they live. It will explore how Aboriginal Community Controlled Housing providers, tenants and communities can benefit from rooftop solar, batteries, energy efficiency upgrades, housing retrofits, stand-alone systems and local support models.
The focus is on what is working, where the emerging success stories are, and what needs to change so these solutions are not just short-term pilots or one-off installations. What long-term service, operating and maintenance models are needed to keep systems working, reduce bills, improve health and wellbeing, and make sure every home is ready for a changing climate.