Power and Water was a proud partner in the Manymak Energy Efficiency Project.
Launched in May 2013, the project also known as Dharray Manymakkung Pawaw Ga Gapuw* ran in six communities in East Arnhem Land. The project assisted more than 500 households to use energy more efficiently.
The project ran in communities until December 2015, including extensive interviews with workers and participants using local co-researchers to support a comprehensive evaluation. The findings form a framework for improved energy efficiency for application in other remote Indigenous communities.
*This name is in Djampbarrpuyngu, a major indigenous language in East Arnhem Land, and translates to “looking after our power and our water”.
The Manymak project was led by our subsidiary Indigenous Essential Services Pty Ltd and delivered in partnership with consortium members Centre for Appropriate Technology, Charles Darwin University, NT Department of Housing and the East Arnhem Regional Council. The project received funding through the Australian Government’s Low Income Energy Efficiency Program.
Some of the initiatives included:
- employment of local people in each community to engage with households and deliver a tailored education package
- retrofit of 448 homes with measures such as solar hot water systems and stove timers
- fitting data loggers to meter boxes to capture energy usage statistics
- installation of the BEE-Box in-home interactive usage display to 252 households.
The project also included water conservation education.
Local Yolngu people were at the centre of the design and delivery of the project, relaying messages and sharing ideas for using less power in the communities.
