Unfair funding cut to BREAZE threatens Ballarat’s clean energy progress
Unfair funding cut to BREAZE threatens Ballarat’s clean energy progress | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Unfair funding cut to BREAZE threatens Ballarat’s clean energy progress 2025-06-26 Responding to a community protest supporting BREAZE, a volunteer-run renewable energy group recently cut from funding by the City of Ballarat, Senator Steph Hodgins-May and Sarah Mansfield MLC have raised serious concerns about transparency and fairness.
The group says the decision was made without good-faith engagement and was based on unrelated political views expressed by a now-former board member speaking out against the genocide in Gaza. BREAZE plays a crucial role in driving Ballarat’s clean energy transition. This move threatens to stall Ballarat’s renewable progress and erode community trust.
Quotes attributable to Greens Senator for Victoria, Steph Hodgins-May: “BREAZE is an incredible volunteer-run organisation helping power Ballarat’s clean energy future. “The council has cut ties with this vital community group, and refuses to engage with them in good faith, all because of posts by a board member that, like so many Australians, express horror at the genocide taking place in Gaza.
"This will jeopardise Ballarat’s ability to respond to the climate crisis and drive the renewable energy transition. “In a healthy democracy, we need space to speak openly and freely. “The community deserves transparency and fairness.
This decision should be revisited and funding restored so BREAZE can get on with building a cleaner, brighter future for Ballarat.” Quotes attributable to Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens and MLC for Western Victoria, Dr Sarah Mansfield: “The council’s decision to cut the funding of a community group working for real climate action with the people of Ballarat undermines crucial efforts towards cleaner, more sustainable energy, as well as community trust.
“The council has failed to engage fairly or transparently with BREAZE, raising serious concerns about this decision, and I’d urge them to restore funding to BREAZE so they can continue their vital work empowering the Ballarat community towards zero emissions.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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