Welcome to the October edition of the DCAN Dispatch.

Invitation - DCAN AGM & Special Guest

Please join us for our AGM and special guest speaker David Spratt on Thursday 13th November in Thornbury. David is the Research Director for Breakthrough National Centre for Climate Restoration and will speak about his new discussion paper Warming has reached 1.5°C. What does that mean for climate advocacy? RSVP here.

David will outline the current science on global warming and the options for addressing it, showing how a safe climate cannot be achieved solely through the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions. Instead he proposes a three-lever approach, combining zero emissions, large-scale carbon drawdown, and urgent research into safe, short-term cooling methods.

David is a highly respected climate policy and science analyst and has authored many reports and discussion papers which can be found on Breakthrough's web site. He also writes a regular blog at Climate Code Red. Come along and hear David talk and learn about what DCAN has achieved over the past year.

Date: Thursday 13th November 2025
DCAN AGM: 6.30pm - 7.15pm (short break for a cuppa)
Guest speaker: David Spratt from 7.30pm
Where: Span Community House: 64 Clyde Street, Thornbury Victoria 3071
RSVP here

Tell Labor to fix nature laws now!

Environment Minister Murray Watt has announced he’ll table new nature laws by the end of this year. Strong nature laws mean clean air, healthy rivers, thriving wildlife, real jobs and a safe climate for our kids. It’s up to the Albanese Government to deliver the laws that nature needs to protect our future.

Please sign the open letter organised by our friends at the Australia Conservation Foundation and demand the government does what is sensible and right for the people, places and animals we love. If we want a strong Australia we need strong nature laws - it's time for Labor to protect our beautiful big backyard for future generations! We urgently need your help to show that Australians want bold action now.

[Photo by Davis Clode on Unsplash]

Global Tipping Points

Later this year the UN climate talks (COP30) will be in Brazil and the importance of protecting and restoring the Amazon and other forests will be in the spotlight. The recent tipping points conference identified the loss of the Amazon as one of the three tipping points of most concern.

This short video explains recent research suggesting that forests provide substantial cooling in addition to their role in carbon drawdown. This could be good news if we protect and restore forests, or very bad news if the ongoing destruction of the Amazon and other key ecosystems continues.

Want to know more? Here’s a deep dive into the inner workings of the Amazon and its role in bringing rain to much of South America and the USA via the biotic pump.

Updated flood maps for Darebin

Melbourne Water has released updated flood maps for storm water drains in Darebin. Pop your address into a box at the top of this page and see how your home will be affected (best viewed on a bigger screen than a phone). Note that these maps do not include creeks which will be added at a future date. Melbourne Water is seeking community input into past flooding and changes to the built environment. Feedback can be done online via the same page as the maps where you can also scroll down to find out about upcoming information sessions.

Well done Span Community House for being quick off the mark and organising an opportunity for Darebin residents to discuss the updated maps on the 21st of October from 6pm to 7pm. With storms predicted to become more intense with global heating, it's important for all of us to start paying attention and learn how our homes and our community will be affected. More information can also be found on Darebin Council's website.

Would you like to meet your local Councillor?

The DCAN Local Council Working Group is aiming to meet with all new and existing Councillors over the coming months. The aim of the meetings are to impress on the Councillors the important role they play in ensuring that Darebin Council remains a leader in taking action on the climate emergency and also in building resilience in the local community to cope with the changes that are already here. If you would like to join us in having a discussion with your local councillor please email us at [email protected] with your address (or your Ward) so we can match you to a meeting with your Councillor.

Reduce Your Energy Bills: Electrify Your Home & Life

Want to reduce energy bills, your carbon footprint and create a comfortable home? Join Tim Forcey, author of My Efficient Electric Home Handbook and creator of the My Efficient Electric Home Facebook group, to learn the ins and outs of his electrification journey.

Tim will be joined by local resident, Emily Skehill, who with her partner, has electrified and improved the efficiency of their unit in Reservoir. Emily will visually walk you through their home and share their electrification journey and experience.

This event is supported by the Community Electrification Engagement Program, delivered by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government.

When: 13 November 2025 at 06:00 pm - 07:30 pm
Where: Preston Library, 266 Gower Street, Preston.
RSVP here

Free Advice on Electrifying Your Home

Darebin resident Libby Brownlie recently took advantage of DCAN’s free home electrification advice service, run by volunteer Graham Moore, a retired Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering from Melbourne University. The service offers one-on-one support to help residents plan their switch from gas to clean electric energy, from understanding what to tackle first to finding trusted local tradespeople.

With Graham’s help, Libby now has a clear step-by-step plan. “I’d been wanting to do this for a while but wasn’t really sure how to start. Now I know exactly what to do. Graham had some good tradie contacts and that’s given me the confidence to get moving. Often that’s all we need.”

Libby described Graham as having “a wealth of knowledge, very logical and clear. And I know he’s there at the end of the phone if I need more advice along the way.”

Having started, Libby is keen to keep going. “Getting off gas entirely feels very exciting!”

Are you thinking about electrifying your home or know someone who is? DCAN volunteer Graham Moore is available for free consultations to help Darebin residents plan their transition off gas. Visit our Electrify page to learn more, access resources and sign up for this simple and supportive advice service.

Darebin's EV Hub

We all know electric vehicles (EVs) can be costly to buy. But what many don’t realise is that the future of EVs doesn’t have to mean buying— it can also mean converting what we already own. By replacing an internal combustion engine with a single-gear electric motor and battery system, we can continue using what we already have.

Darebin local and fourth-generation mechanic Craig Bishop is leading the charge on this idea. Earlier this month, he received a planning permit for an EV education centre under his not-for-profit organisation Fabrication, Design and Creation Incorporated (FDC). The centre will not only develop EV conversion services, but also offer hands-on education, mentoring, and EV workshops (cars, bikes and scooters) to members of the community.

FDC will be based at 2 Wingrove St, Alphington which is part of a multi-site complex currently under review by Darebin Council for future community use.

FDC is looking for volunteers to join its small team and help grow its social media presence. In return, volunteers will receive hands-on assistance from Craig with their own cars or bikes. For further information email DCAN.

 Environmental Film Festival '25, 16-23 October

The Environmental Film Festival '25 is on this weekend, with a line-up of exceptional films curated from over 600 entrants. The Festival began on Thursday but, over the weekend, there are films being shown at the Palace Kino. Run by volunteers, this is one of the world's longest-running environmental film festivals, and brings together 23 films including 13 premiers and four talks. There's also a beach clean-up happening on Sunday at 11am at Elwood Beach, and a 15th anniversary party at Bobbie Peels in North Melbourne at 7.30 Saturday evening.

For more information and bookings, visit here.

Vale Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall was a remarkable example of courage and conviction, working tirelessly throughout her life to raise awareness about threats to wildlife, promote conservation, and inspire a more harmonious, sustainable relationship between people, animals and the natural world. She passed away in her sleep.

Listen to the Conversations Podcast where Jane speaks about her work and to this moving vocal and visual tribute.

Help DCAN Grow on Social Media!

Exciting news! DCAN is now on Instagram and Bluesky in addition to Facebook, and we’d love you to join us there. By following and engaging with our posts, you help spread the word about climate action in our community.

Instagram – See inspiring photos, event updates, and climate tips. darebin_climate_action

Bluesky – Join the conversation on policies, actions, and solutions. @darebincan.bsky.social

Facebook – Keep up to date with DCAN activities and climate news. www.facebook.com/DarebinCAN

Every like, comment, and share helps amplify our impact. Follow us today and be part of the movement for a greener future! Please email us if you would like to join the DCAN social media team.

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 if you are coming so that we can make sure to welcome you and give you an agenda ahead of the meeting.

Our next meeting will be DCAN's AGM (see above) and will be held at 6:30 pm on November 13th at Span Community House, 64 Clyde Street, Thornbury.