Welcome to the June edition of the DCAN Dispatch.

Make Polluters Pay: Can You Help?

The local Make Polluters Pay campaign is continuing to gather strength. We are collecting petition signatures and survey responses at markets, parks and community events. Now we're hoping to reach more people through this newsletter.

The national campaign is building towards a major media push in November and has challenged local groups like ours to collect as many survey responses as possible.

We know that people who enjoy filling in surveys are a rare breed, so we're happy to report that this one is quick and easy. The key questions ask:

• how concerned are you about climate change,
• who should pay for climate impacts and community protection measures, and
• what a National Climate Compensation Fund should support in your local area.

Could you spare a few minutes to complete our anonymous survey and perhaps sign our petition as well?

Click here to take the survey and here to sign the petition.

We're also looking for more people to help strengthen the campaign. You might be able to:

• connect us with local councillors,
• help promote the campaign in your workplace, community group or neighbourhood,
• encourage friends, family and neighbours to complete the survey or sign the petition.

Small actions can make a real difference. If you can help, please contact Lesley.

State Labor Government continues to approve gas mining

Victoria’s gas use peaked in 2017. It is set to plummet 80 per cent over the next two decades as householders and even businesses switch to cheaper electric appliances.

Gas companies are already walking away from regional towns; ten Victorian towns have been told their networks will close by the end of this year.

In spite of this, both federal and state governments have approved the second major gas project in the current state government’s term: the so-called “Annie” gas development in the Otway Basin, west of the Twelve Apostles. Production is expected to begin in 2028.

The Victorian government has some good policies to address the climate emergency, but there should be no new gas developments. A protest is being held every Thursday from 8:30 to 9:30, outside the office of Northcote state MP Kat Theophanous. More participants are always extremely welcome.

Thank you for your support!

Many thanks to all those who wrote short submissions and contacted councillors about the lack of funding for the Darebin Energy Upgrades program. DCAN appeared at the Council's hearing of submissions on 9th June to call on Council to fully fund the program so that it can continue beyond 12 months.

Responses to DCAN's questions at the May Council meeting revealed that the program has been very popular since its launch in February this year. 333 households have expressed interest in the Energy Upgrades program in the space of just four months, with 56 households using the program to upgrade equipment, 38 of which were considered low income and financially vulnerable. 110 energy saving products have been installed.

Council is in the process of looking at all the submissions on the budget and annual plan which will be finalised at a special Council meeting on the 30th June. If you haven't already emailed your local councillor there is still time to shoot off a quick message. Find out who your local councillor is here and have a look at the DCAN submission for ideas on what to include.

Climate Science, Not Silence

More than 300 psychologists, doctors, educators, researchers, community leaders and climate organisations have signed an open letter calling for accurate, evidence-based climate education and mental health support for young people.

The letter responds to efforts by fossil fuel-funded think tanks, including the Institute of Public Affairs, to remove climate education from Australian schools and discredit support services that help young people cope with climate distress.

The evidence is clear: climate distress is not caused by learning about climate change. Young people are more resilient when they understand the causes of the crisis, have access to reliable information and feel supported to take action.

If you know a psychologist, doctor, educator, researcher or community leader, please encourage them to add their name to the letter.

You can also contact your local MP and ask them to support its recommendations.

Read the letter here.

Research into young people's thoughts about climate change

A research project at Monash University is aiming to study how children and adolescents aged 9-16 cope with climate change. If you and your children are interested in participating please fill out the parent consent form to register your interest. If you know other families who may be interested please let them know about the project. Contact Dr Nerelie Freeman if you have any further questions or would like more information: 

Call for a moratorium on Data Centres in Victoria

Oscar Kaspi-Crutchett, Senior Research Organiser at Trades Hall and an expert on AI, technology and workers' rights, recently convened a meeting in Brunswick on Big Tech, AI, Data Centres and Jobs. Attendance at the meeting was at capacity. Many issues were raised about data centres including:

• Lack of local council planning controls
• Power consumption and cost
• Intense water usage
• Proximity to homes: industrial noise, localized urban heat, and a lack of community consultation
• Diesel generator pollution
• Fire safety
• Land use & employment

A motion was passed at the meeting that there be a moratorium on data centre construction until these issues were resolved.

In February, the City of Melbourne passed a motion to advocate for mandatory sustainability standards and "transparent monitoring requirements" for these developments.

For further information, read this article by Oscar Kaspi-Crutchett.

A Community Assembly on AI and Data Centres will be held on Sunday 21 June from 11am to 1pm at Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, 251 Faraday St, Carlton. For more information and tickets click here.

[Photo credit: Ismail Enes Ayhan on Unsplash]

A National Plebiscite for a 25% Gas Export Tax

Australia Institute research shows voters across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support a 25% tax on gas exports, which could raise an estimated $17 billion in revenue each year.

Yet the Australian Parliament has failed to act.

Join the call for a national plebiscite to introduce a 25% gas export tax. Add your name to make sure the gas industry pays its fair share.

Worst-Case Climate Projection Dropped, But Risks Remain

In their latest release of climate scenarios, a key group of climate modellers have dropped their most pessimistic projection for a world 4.5°C hotter in 2100 than in pre-industrial times. This catastrophic scenario became implausible in light of growing evidence that climate action is starting to work. Renewable generation, batteries and electric vehicles have slowed emissions growth. This seems like good news!

The modellers are hundreds of scientists whose work underpins reports of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Their current list of 7 scenarios predict temperature increases ranging from 1.9°C to 3.6°C by 2100, with the most likely outcome (based on current policies and actions) being an increase of 2.6°C.

Warming of 2.6°C would be severe, but David Spratt argues that the IPCC models do not capture all warming mechanisms so this pathway could result in catastrophic heating of about 4°C.

Even the most optimistic scenario (1.9°C) would entail much hardship and, indeed, at 1.4°C warming we are already seeing powerful storms, droughts, and catastrophic bushfires here in Australia. This shows more climate action work is urgently needed.

Alphington Community Battery Launch

Come celebrate the official launch of the Alphington Community Battery and Village Power's Community Energy Program!

After many years of community collaboration, planning, and project delivery, the Alphington community battery is ready to become part of Alphington’s local energy future. This event marks an exciting milestone for the project and the beginning of a new chapter focused on community participation, sustainability, and local energy transformation. Find out more and reserve your free spot here.

Home Energy Ratings

Have you ever been in the situation where you are looking for a place to lease or buy but would like to know more about the energy running costs of the property, or the environmental impact of the energy sources. You look at the information provided by the vendor and there is information about Council rates, estimated purchase prices, property boundaries, water rates and owners corporation fees. However, there is nothing to help inform you about the $2000 to $5000 per year required to buy energy when you move in.

Things are changing slowly. There is a new rating scheme for existing homes being implemented called NatHERS (Nationwide Home Energy Rating Scheme) following a trial in NSW. You can find out more here. In a recent meeting with our local state government MPs, it was not something on their radar and when asked would they consider the idea that it be a piece of mandatory information available for home buyers or renters, the answer was no. If you would like things to move faster, consider asking your local MP why disclosure of home energy efficiency ratings is not something they support.

Support our work in 2026 and beyond

Help spread the work about climate action

Please join us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. Every like, comment, and share helps amplify our impact and spread the word about climate action in our community. Email us if you would like to join the DCAN social media team. We would love to have you onboard.

Want to know more about DCAN?

Why not come along to one of our monthly meetings? We usually meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7.00pm at the Bridge Preston. Please drop us an email at [email protected] to let us know that you are coming so we can welcome you and give you an agenda ahead of the meeting.

Our next meeting will be at 7:00 pm on July 9th, 2026 in the Waratah Room at the Bridge, 261 High, Preston.