Crowds gathered at the RC McNamara Reserve on Friday, 6 March 2026 to celebrate the installation of the first community battery in Myrtleford.
RC McNamara Reserve was chosen for the community battery primarily due to its existing infrastructure, which includes suitable roof space on Ablett Pavilion to house solar panels and a suitable existing electrical switchboard and transformer.
The installation includes 40kW of rooftop solar on Ablett Pavilion and an 89kW/336kWh Pixii battery at the main switchboard.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, celebrated the installation of the community battery at RC McNamara Reserve.
"In 2024, we developed a Community Energy and EV Charging Prospectus, which identified suitable facilities for community energy infrastructure," she said.
"The Prospectus has helped Council and community groups seek funding for community batteries by identifying suitable locations based on a number of factors, including what is available on or around existing buildings."
Cr Nicholas also emphasised the benefits of community batteries for groups who will facilities across Alpine Shire.
"Groups that use our facilities, such as Myrtleford Saints Football and Netball Club, will save on power bills as a result of the community battery," she said.
"Using the Prospectus, we will continue to seek funding so that we can increase the energy resilience of multiple communities across our region."
More information about community climate action is available online on Council's website: https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/community-services/sustainability/community-climate-action
The scoping and installation of the battery was supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency as part of Indigo Power's Community Batteries for Energy Resilience project.
Photo: Indigo Power