Welcome to the May edition of the DCAN Dispatch.

Darebin Energy Upgrades program at risk

DCAN is shocked to learn that there is no allocation of funds in Council's draft 2026-27 budget for the very popular Energy Upgrades program which has been underway for less than one year.

Not only does the program provide advice to all residents on home electrification, it also provides much needed financial support to eligible households for insulation, draught proofing, split systems, solar PV systems and hot water heat pumps.

The program is a key part of Darebin’s plan to reduce emissions and help low income households transition to more energy efficient, comfortable and healthy homes.

Please go to the Yoursay website and write a short submission on the budget asking Council to add $200,000 to the Draft Operating projects for the Energy Upgrades Program (Submissions must be received by 5pm on 27 May 2026). For background information read our email to Councillors here. Find out more about the Energy Upgrades program here.

Federal Budget

The federal budget includes some welcome investment in clean energy, including support for home batteries, public transport and household electrification. But it still falls far short of what’s needed to protect Australians from rising energy costs and climate-fuelled disasters.

As the Climate Council’s rapid analysis reveals, the budget failed to introduce a gas exports tax, despite over 70% of voters being in favour of this. It also did nothing about removing fossil fuel subsidies which cost taxpayers billions of dollars, and offered little meaningful funding for climate adaptation or heavy industry electrification. Diesel tax breaks for large mining companies remain in place, while support for new gas investment continues.

At the same time, the cost of climate disasters is rising rapidly. The budget papers reveal disaster recovery costs have already increased by $2.5 billion this financial year.

Call or write to your local MP and ask the government to make big polluters pay, end fossil fuel subsidies and invest in a just transition away from coal, oil and gas.

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

The first International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels has wrapped up in Santa Marta, Colombia, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands. Bringing together governments, Indigenous leaders, scientists, unions and civil society, the conference marked a major step towards a coordinated global phase-out of coal, oil and gas.

Alongside the official conference, the People’s Summit for a Fossil Free Future brought together hundreds of groups and activists calling for urgent implementation of a rapid, equitable and just transition away from fossil fuels.

Momentum is continuing to build behind the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a global plan to end new fossil fuel expansion, phase out existing production and accelerate a just transition to renewable energy. Pacific leaders are helping set the direction, with the Tassiriki Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific demanding urgent action.

Next stop is Tuvalu in 2027, where attention will turn to the Asia Pacific and the role of major fossil fuel exporters, including Australia.

Take action:

• Endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty
• Read and share the Tassiriki Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific

Climate Compensation

The Darebin Community for Climate Compensation working group, one of 84 groups across Australia, has collected almost 100 signatures urging the Darebin Council to join the four other councils which have already passed motions supporting the creation of a federal fund to finance councils’ climate adaptation plans.

We are hitting the streets, markets, dog parks and stations asking people questions and collecting signatures from Darebin residents who think we need a levy on fossil fuel exports to support a fund to repair, and prepare for, worsening climate damage.

If you would like to read and maybe sign our petition, have a look here. If you would like to help us with our campaign, please contact Lesley.

Meetings with local MPs

DCAN has an active MP Engagement Working Group, which regularly contacts our Federal MP, Ged Kearney, and our State MPs, Nathan Lambert (Preston) and Kat Theophanous (Northcote).

In April. meetings were held with all 3 MPs to discuss many climate-related issues including advocating for a 25% tax on gas exports, support for the Santa Marta conference on developing a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and prohibiting fracking and drilling for gas in Victorian coastal waters. For a more comprehensive report on both meetings click here.

As is our usual practice, we will be following up all the issues we raised with the MPs. If you would like to know more about these meetings and/or join future meetings, please drop us an email at [email protected]

Photo credit: Serina Bird on Unsplash

Electrifying Apartments

DCAN is seeking to better understand the challenges and opportunities involved in electrifying apartments, and is considering running information sessions for Owners Corporation committees.

If you are a member of an Owners Corporation committee in Darebin and would be willing to discuss your building’s current situation and future aspirations, we would love to hear from you. We are also keen to hear from residents living in fully electrified apartments, particularly where cooking, hot water, or heating systems have been converted from gas to electricity.

Please contact DCAN Electrification Advisor Graham Moore if you would like to share your experience or find out more.

Electrify Your Home

Want to reduce energy bills, your carbon footprint and create a comfortable home? Learn about the Darebin Energy Upgrades Program at this free event:

Thursday, 11 June 2026 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at Preston Library, 266 Gower St, Preston

A number of people have gone to previous events on this program to understand what’s on offer and then sign up for the DCAN free home electrification advice session to tailor the information to their specific circumstances. Click here for the DCAN service.

Victorian Multicultural Renters Webinar

Energy policy and household costs are changing, and renters are right in the middle of it. This session breaks down what’s happening, what it means for your household, and practical steps you can take right now.

Time: 1pm - 2pm
Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Location: Online via Zoom

Click here for more information and registration.

Journey Away From Gas

Last month's Dispatch reported on Linda Bradburn’s journey away from gas to an all-electric home. This month we have another Linda – Linda Marks.

Linda M’s journey was almost identical to Linda B’s. It began nearly 20 years ago with 1kW solar panels and a gas-boosted, solar hot water service. Ironically, the gas-boosted solar hot water replaced an off-peak electric hot water service.

A decade later the solar panels were upgraded to 4kW. Then last year the ailing solar hot water was replaced with a much more efficient heat pump. In 2018, when the ancient gas central heating threatened to suffocate the household, it was time to invest in reverse cycle A/C.

The final push came this year after receiving support from DCAN's Home Electrification Advisor, Dr Graham Moore. The gas cook top was replaced with an induction cook top and a 16kW battery was installed to make better use of the power generated by the solar panels now that the feed-in tariff has been vastly reduced. Federal and State Government grants, coupled with the age of each appliance, plus the horrific Climate Emergency, made the decision to get off gas much easier.

If you would like a free one-on-one advice session on how to get off gas and improve the energy situation in your home, visit DCAN Electrify Your Home.

The Elephants in the Room

The DCAN Climate Elephants recently took up residence at Fairfield Library as part of DCAN’s ongoing collaboration with Darebin Libraries. This is the third time our travelling climate display has been exhibited, after earlier appearances, including a memorable stay in a High Street, Northcote shop window, complete with lighting and flickering “flames” for evening viewing.

At the centre of this year’s display was the largest dolls’ house, featuring not only elephants but also furniture dramatically “rearranged” by flooding. Nearby, our heat-affected fish with colourful climate-striped scarves occupied their own display windows.

The installation combines creativity, humour, and unease to highlight the growing impacts of climate change. We hope it serves, if not as a conversation starter, then at least as a gentle reminder that climate change is something we should be talking about, and acting on.

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 June 11th, 2026 in the Waratah Room at the Bridge, 261 High, Preston.