SHARING | Getting engagement right: Lessons from neighbourhood battery projects
Could community consultation make or break your neighbourhood battery project? In our latest article, YEF's COO, Tim Shue, and Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Marie Lakey, share insights from their work supporting engagement strategies for battery projects across Australia.
Drawing on their experience, they offer practical tips for meaningful and productive community engagement. Key lessons include:
- Build trust and track it using the simple 'three Cs' framework
- Share information early and strategically
- Avoid framing feedback as 'pushback'—focus on listening and understanding
Need help with your own community engagement strategy? Explore YEF's services.
LISTENING | SwitchedOn podcast with Lachlan Hensey
Want to know what it really takes to deliver a community battery?
In this podcast episode, you'll learn about the challenges community groups may encounter in neighbourhood battery projects, and gain insights from YEF's Fitzroy North community battery project and the hurdles that were overcome.
Our Energy & Storage Project Lead, Lachlan Hensey, chats with Anne Delaney on the SwitchedOn podcast as part of the "So you want to install a community battery" series.
If you are looking for your next podcast, click the link below to start listening.
UPDATING | Neighbourhood battery funding
March was a big month for neighbourhood battery funding, with key developments at federal and state levels.
- Australian Government's ARENA has opened Round 2 of the Community Batteries Funding Initiative, with applications closing on Wednesday 30 April 2025. YEF provides support to councils, community groups and industry in preparing strong grant applications.
- The Victorian Government has announced the successful recipients of funding under Round 2 of the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries program, with 65 batteries funded across Victoria. We're proud to have supported a number of successful applicants in this round.
YEF supports proponents from early-stage feasibility studies through to battery deployment.
GATHERING | Local Government Electrification Forum | Tuesday 6 May 2025 | 9am-12.30pm AEST
Next month, YEF will be hosting a knowledge-sharing forum for local governments exploring the Hume Home Energy Upgrades program for local government representatives.
Together with Hume City Council and the suppliers, we will share how solar & electrification programs help to reduce cost of living pressures for residents and lower household emissions.
Attendees will have a chance to connect with other councils and industry stakeholders, and share their own experiences or ideas for what could work in their local context.
- Where: Yarra Energy Foundation, 425 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: for local government representatives only, tickets online via Humanitix
WELCOMING | Vietnamese delegates tour of Fitzroy North battery
YEF recently welcomed delegates from Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Construction, and Ministry of Science and Technology to our Fitzroy North community battery.
Organised by Curtin University and the University of Melbourne, the visit was part of ongoing efforts to share knowledge and build capacity across the industry.
It was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and support the global push to reduce emissions and achieve net-zero goals.
OFFERING | Our Services
You can find out more about Yarra Energy Foundation services on our website. These include:
- Feasibility studies
- Community Engagement
- Community battery strategies for local councils
- Consulting & advice
- Project management
- Solar & electrification programs
We are a small team of extremely passionate energy experts with decades of combined industry, governmental, business, and sustainability experience.
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Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF)
Email: information@yef.org.au
Yarra Energy Foundation acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of this country, pays tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Yarra, and gives respect to the Elders past and present.