Dunedin Groups Going Off Fossil Fuels

Dunedin community groups are getting busy and going off fossil fuels. Oil Free Otago, Transition Valley 473 (TV473) and others have teamed up to form Valley Community Workspace Incorporated (VCW), and will work collaboratively on a number of projects in the former Allen St Motor Museum, Dunedin, with the aim of promoting a cultural change to a socially just, low carbon future. Some of the projects include electric car conversions, a bicycle library and workshop, 3D printing and weaving.

“We like the idea of sharing our collective skills and resources” said Kristen Bracey from TV473. “We also share important values, like putting people and the environment before profit. We want to strengthen our community and get on with learning and teaching the skills we need for the future.”

“Already in our working bees we have made connections with new people. And there’s plenty of room for like-minded people to get involved,” said local electric recumbent bike enthusiast, Steve Ward.

“We need to get on with changing the way we do things” said Oil Free Otago’s Rosemary Penwarden. “We want to work towards a future that is inclusive, not exclusive, that will provide jobs and skills for our young people and that will survive in a world without fossil fuels – with the emphasis on ‘doing’.”

VCW are holding an open day in their new Community Workspace at 11 Allen St, North East Valley, this Sat 18 July, beginning at 10am. Locally converted electric vehicles will be on display, along with electric and recumbent bikes, a 3D printer and a hand loom. People are invited to offer their ideas of how the community space could be used.

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