Renew – Hunter Region Branch

Renew – Hunter Region Branch

Renew Australia is a national not-for-profit (NFP) organisation with 14 branches and thousands of members across Australia. We were previously known as the Alternative Technology Association, established in 1980 when living sustainably and using resources wisely was considered ‘alternative.’ In some cases and places, it unfortunately still is!

Sustainability advice and advocacy and advice

Working with a diverse range of community and industry partners, Renew advocates for policies that promote renewable energy and cut emissions, make our homes healthier, more affordable and climate resilient. Through our many events, webinars and publications, our experienced members, supported by a professional team of staff, provide practical, independent advice to homeowners, renters, government, industry and community groups.

We work closely with project partners to ensure our information and advice maintains relevance, and keeps pace with the rapidly evolving market for efficient, sustainable technology. Renew also undertakes research & advocacy such as producing a toolkit for Getting off Gas or for rebuilding homes after bushfire.

Community connections – your local branch

Renew members form a vibrant network of people actively reducing their impact on the environment by making tangible changes to their homes and lifestyles, and sharing skills with people in their area. There are volunteer-run branches in most major cities and several regional areas around Australia, including the Hunter. A reason this national sustainability organisation has persisted for decades is in its ability to connect with people and places through its grassroots community networks.

Our existing Hunter Region Branch was launched at the Sustainable Futures Festival in 2022. Since then we have organised a variety of activities including the Travelling Electric Roadshow, and Behind the Scenes at Resourceful Living, and attended many events such as the Living Smart Festival at Lake Macquarie. The main focus of the branch is to connect householders, businesses, schools and other interested groups with the expert advice and support from sustainability professionals and Renew members in our region.

Our branch has recently acquired a Flir thermal imaging camera. This heat sensitive camera can show where your home or premises are excessively hot or cold. By identifying and fixing where air leaks occur, you will save money on energy bills. We would like to thank the Salamander Bay Recycling Centre for supporting this purchase with their generous donation. Email us if you’d like a free demonstration in your home, school or work premises.

Sustainable House Day

Sustainable House Day is an annual event organised by Renew that provides the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most inspiring homes, and learn from the people who designed them, built them, and live in them. We believe that peer-to-peer information-sharing is the best way to connect our community with practical experiences designing, building and living in sustainable home.

On 4 May 2025, Renew will zero in on the retrofit and electrification agenda that sits at the heart of Australia’s energy transition by recruiting comfortable, energy-efficient homes that demonstrate attainable improvements and lifestyle changes that ordinary homeowners and renters can achieve. The Open House event will be on Sunday 4 May 2025 across Australia, with community and extension events to be scheduled throughout May.

Read all about it!

Renew is one of very few NFPs which still publishes a magazine – in fact we publish two! There is so much information on the internet that it’s hard to distinguish right from wrong. People are seeking reliable and independent information on renewable energy solutions for the home more than ever, and Renew has the long term reputation and authority which people trust. As the number of people keen to learn how to live more sustainably grows, so does the reach and success of Renew’s expertise.

Renew Magazine features the latest news on practical and cost-effective technologies. The buyers guide is a popular section – our tech expert Lance Turner, provides analysis and opinion about items such hot water heat pumps, solar panels, EVs and so on. There are also inspirational stories about businesses and their sustainability challenges and achievements.

Sanctuary: modern green homes includes case studies from homeowners who are building or renovating their homes using sustainable building materials like hempcrete, or are retrofitting to save on energy bills. There are examples of the things we need to be doing to become more resilient to the weather and fire extremes we are now experiencing more frequently.

How to get involved

We are keen to hear from anyone wishing to join Renew, volunteer or just come along to our events and activities. Share your knowledge and expertise – or join us along the steep learning curve we are all on!

So … what can you expect if you join us? Well it’s up to you – as much or as little as you like! As with most community groups, we are always looking for like-minded friendly folk to assist with events, projects or educational initiatives. We don’t have an office and we volunteer our time from home or meeting venues.

• Contact the Hunter Region Branch and ask to be added to our mailing list for local events and activities. Let us know your areas of interest in, or knowledge of, sustainable living.
• Join Renew as a member
• Subscribe to one or both magazines – Sanctuary and Renew, or buy one for family or friends.
• Come along to Sustainable House Day on 4 May 2025 – check out the open homes online or in-person.

Useful links:

• See side panel for related pages about Renew and Hunter Region Branch
• Renew – what we do
• Travelling Electric – owning and operating electric vehicles.
• Sustainable House Day
• EcoUpdate April 2022 – Renew taking custody of Z-NET in Australia
• EcoNetwork Members in Action: Living with and charging an EV