S3 E12: Aussie Solarpunk

We saved the best for last: welcome to our episode on Aussie Solarpunk! In this season finale of Sci_Burst we record live from the Woden Library to bring you a joyous episode close to our home & heart. 

Join us in a chat on community owned solarfarms, Mad Max, reconciliation, science communicators, men’s sheds, and of course, the famous Hills Hoist clothesline.

Australia has some serious Solarpunk potential! 

To complement this special episode, we’ve created a little game of Aussie Solarpunk themed BINGO: https://www.sci-burst.com.au/solarpunk-in-australia-bingo/ 

Episode time stamps:

0:00 Introduction

5:52 Solarpunk Technologies in Australia

25:06 Aussie Solarpunk Communities 

47:00 Solarpunk Culture in Australia 

1:01:50 Good News Stories

Want more? Here are some things that we spoke about in this episode that we recommend:

-Household solar electricity generation in the Australian national accounts https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/household-solar-electricity-generation-australian-national-accounts

-Comparing and ranking the global cost of green industrial electricity (Graham & Havas, 2023) https://mssanz.org.au/modsim2023/files/graham125.pdf

-Goulburn community solar farm plugs in after 12-year journey https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-27/goulburn-community-farm-opens-after-significant-delays/106494962 

-Australia's largest community-owned solar farm begins powering homes in Canberra https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/act-community-solar-farm-opens-in-majura/13238882

-Majura Community Energy Project https://www.solarshare.com.au/majura-community-energy-project 

-Broken Hill String https://www.ibys.org/index.php/2012/09/21/broken-hill-string/

-Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlOTGzPZvfw

-From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbark https://renew.org.au/renew-magazine/reuse-recycling/from-earth-cans-and-tyres-earthship-ironbark/

-Earthship Ironbank http://www.earthshipironbank.com.au/

-Matt and Kate built an earthship house with recycled bottles and the help of strangers https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-16/grand-designs-australia-earthship-cygnet-matt-kate/105782588

-Australia’s Net Zero Plan https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/net-zero-report.pdf

-Hobbit homes to earthships: the NSW village setting a green example for Australia https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/hobbit-homes-to-earthships-the-nsw-village-setting-a-green-example-for-australia-20220908-p5bgjg.html

-Narara ecovillage https://nararaecovillage.com/

-Sunshine Coast eco village turns 30 as pioneering permaculture ideas become mainstream https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-03/crystal-waters-eco-village-celebrates-30-years/9929342

-Solarpunk + Solarpunk at Home https://www.dancehouse.com.au/whats-on/solarpunk/

-Ginninderry https://ginninderry.com/living-here/sustainability/

-Community Toolbox Canberra https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/community-projects/community-projects/community-toolbox-canberra

-The Men’s Shed Movement in Australia: Rights, Needs and the Politics of Settler National Manhood (Boucher & Robinson, 2021) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1031461X.2021.1901946

-Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/acknowledgement-of-country-and-welcome-to-country/

-The First Scientists: Deadly Inventions and Innovations from Australia's First Peoples by Corey Tutt (2021)

-The Koala Brothers (2003-2007)

-Tracey McBean (2001-2006)

-Play School (1966–)

-Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

-Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Good News Stories:

-https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-04/students-innovate-to-address-climate-change-livability/106200782

-https://www.scarymommy.com/entertainment/ryan-gosling-andy-weir-project-hail-mary-interview