Geelong Sustainability on leading their region to an electric future

Geelong Sustainability was created in 2007 when a small group of locals met around a lounge room table and started a volunteer group. The organisation’s goal? To build a powerful community movement for a just transition to a net zero future. In the decade since, Geelong Sustainability has become the region’s leading sustainability group and a trusted partner on the road to electrification.

Ondine Martin from Hothouse Studio sat down with Co-CEO Karina Donkers to talk about Geelong Sustainability’s impact in the region and their latest project, Climate Safe Rooms. 

OM: When did you get involved with Geelong Sustainability? 

KD: I was actually there in the initial stages when Geelong Sustainability was created, and over the years I’ve seen our organisation go from strength to strength. While we initially focused just in Geelong and were powered by dedicated volunteer leaders, we’re now a professionalised climate not-for-profit which covers the whole Barwon region of 5 local government areas. It’s a legacy of passion built on years of volunteer work and a strong belief in our role within our community. 

OM: Helping the community to electrify is a central mission of GS. What are the benefits of electrification? 

KD: Providing guidance on electrification and transitioning off gas is the central vision of our Electric Homes Program, which has helped 2,200 homes with over 700 upgrades, making it the leading community led electrification program nationally. 

The reason it’s so important to electrify is because we are in the middle of a climate emergency. But the benefits extend further than the environment. Making your home more energy efficient through electrification can relieve the cost of living by lowering, or even eliminating, your energy bills. It can also protect your family’s health from the impacts of cooking gas which studies have found can contribute to childhood asthma and create indoor air pollution equal to second hand smoking! This is because gas stoves produce harmful chemicals during combustion including carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde. 

OM: Electrifying your home comes with decent upfront costs, meaning not everyone can afford to reap the savings of upgrades. How does this factor into your work?

KD: Ensuring a just transition where no one is left behind is a big part of our advocacy work and our vision for the region. Heatwaves are actually the biggest killer for climate related deaths because adequate cooling is not affordable for so many. We’re also starting on the back foot because traditionally Australia has had low standards for how we design and build our homes – meaning we need to constantly heat and cool leaky homes. 

One of the programs we created to support a just transition is called the climate safe rooms program where we provide life changing free upgrades to people from low socioeconomic backgrounds who are also living with a chronic health condition. Rising gas bills are an inconvenience for many, but for some they’re one step away from homelessness. It can be really expensive to convert a whole house, so to reach more people we convert one room to be climate safe in both the heat and cold. This can include  draft proofing, adding insulation to the walls and ceiling, installing a split system heater and cooler and offsetting the cost with a small solar system – all for free. 

OM: What was the catalyst for this program?

KD: We were finding people were choosing between being able to pay their bills and turning on the heater to stay warm. Not being able to afford heating or cooling then threatened their chronic health condition; but this was preferable to becoming homeless. It’s a horrific situation. 

We ran a pilot project and the results were overwhelmingly positive. Not only were there benefits to their mental health, and lower emissions released into the atmosphere, but the participants were saving money and had less hospital admissions during the pilot. This in turn meant they were socialising more – telling us they could now afford coffee dates and outings with friends which further benefited their mental and physical health. It was a positive feedback loop. 

OM: What is one of the biggest myths about electrifying your home?

KD: The biggest myth is that we need gas to be able to cook properly, or to heat our home adequately. This comes from not understanding the benefits of electrifying and how alternative appliances can out perform gas generated technology. To bridge this gap we ensure we’re out in the community having conversations and educating people. Most are in the dark about how much they could be saving.

Through the Electric Homes Program we also connect them to any available government rebates as it can be confusing to navigate this system alone. You can download helpful resources from our website like our Electrifying your Home Checklists, view our Energy Tips Website, and find guidance on electrification at electrichomes.com.au.

OM: What’s your favourite money saving tip for homeowners and renters?

KD: Start with the envelope of your home. This means properly sealing your home from the outside elements through plugging any drafts, as well as properly insulating your walls, ceiling and windows. You’ll be shocked by what a big impact this makes. There’s no point proceeding with the other steps if the heat and cool you produce is escaping! 

If you’re looking at taking further steps to electrify and save, you can undertake a home energy assessment with a vetted local business. This will help you make a personalised plan for going electric. Getting this done professionally will cost a few hundred dollars, but you can also go to the library and use a kit to measure yourself. 

Another saving many people aren’t aware of is the yearly connection fee you’ll no longer have to pay when you disconnect your house from the gas network. This can be a few hundred dollars a year on top of the gas you use! 

OM: As the Co-CEO of Geelong Sustainability, what’s something you’re particularly proud of? 

KD: I’m really proud of our Climate Safe Rooms program which is keeping people with chronic health issues safe through heatwaves and cold winters. I’m also so proud of our electric homes program, which connects community members who want to electrify with vetted local suppliers to start their journey. It is the leading home electrification program in the country! 

We also run a program called the Community Power Hub and the Community Energy Revolving Fund where we support not-for-profit organisations in the Geelong and Barwon area to save or eliminate their energy bills by installing solar systems and batteries – on us. We’ve supported over 100 groups in our region including food relief centres, footy and netball clubs, and a range of other organisations. 

OM: Geelong Sustainability also plays a big role in local climate advocacy and campaigns for change in the region. What are you focusing on right now? 

KD: At the moment we’re trying to prevent the Viva Gas import terminal in Geelong’s Corio Bay and another proposal to import gas from the east coast of Australia. This could lock us into another 25 years of gas dependency, while increasing gas and electricity bills. It would also be terrible for marine life, fishing and recreation in the bay.

We’re also working on the upcoming Victorian state election – pushing for strong climate and electrification policies from all parties and candidates. We’re part of a few national alliances where we push together for key climate policies around renters rights, climate resilience, and support for the communities most affected by climate impacts. We also train up climate resilience facilitators, who bring skills and knowledge back to their communities to meet the impacts of climate change that are already locked in. 

OM: Thanks for speaking with me today Karina, the Geelong and Barwon region is lucky to have you! 

KD: Thanks for sharing our story. 

Hothouse Studio has been providing contracted communications and design support to Geelong Sustainability over 2026. If you need an external comms team who can fit seamlessly into your organisation, get in touch. 

Hothouse is currently taking on new clients for small and large projects.