Earthworker Cooperative

Hazelwood Power Station to close

Hazelwood Power Station, Australia鈥檚 dirtiest power generator and many decades past its 鈥渦se by鈥 date, will finally close on March 31.

Hazelwood鈥檚 closure is symbolic because of its size, its history and because it provides 20% of Victoria鈥檚 power. But technological advances and environmental concerns have finally caught up with it.

In May, majority owner ENGIE鈥檚 CEO Isabelle Kocher said the company was reviewing its remaining coal plants one by one and would close those with the most outdated technology.

Crowdfunded solar energy for low-income housing

Families struggling on low incomes and the environment will benefit from an innovative crowdfunding campaign to install solar hot water systems made by the Earthworker Cooperative in homes. The campaign is supported by organisations such as the Father Bob Maguire Foundation, Aboriginal Housing Victoria and Common Equity NSW. The first installation of a solar system funded by the "Give Tanks" campaign took place on January 12 in a home managed by Aboriginal Housing Victoria.