2016 BANKSIA SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT AWARD

The Manymak Energy Efficiency Project Consortium, NT

The Manymak Energy Efficiency Project worked with six remote Indigenous communities across East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory to improve household energy efficiency through behaviour change education and energy efficient technologies. The Project, which ran from May 2013 to December 2015, was delivered through a consortium including the utility, Indigenous organization, the local shire, the department of housing, university and shire council. The project received funding through the Australian Government’s Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEEP) Program. Central to the rollout and success of the project was a high degree of engagement and participation with the local Yolngu people. A participation rate of 84% was achieved across households in the communities, which received energy education and technology retrofits. An innovative employment model was developed for use in the project which resulted in the training and employment of more than 80 Yolngu Energy Efficiency Workers (YEEWs), who undertook all the education and engagement work in their communities. With Yolngu people at the center of project planning and deployment, the project helped build capacity in the participating communities. This project is the largest of its type to be deployed into remote Australia, and careful planning and engagement was essential to ensure that the project met the needs of the participating communities. The project was a success on every deliverable, and has enhanced the long-term sustainability of the participating communities. Projected energy savings of over 350 MWh per annum were achieved, and a majority of the population now have a greater understanding of energy efficiency and ability to control their household costs.