Australian first: Newstead aims to run on 100% renewable energy within five years

Agreement with energy company Powercor will see Victorian town move to solar power, save money and perhaps become a model for other towns

The quiet Victorian town of Newstead - population approaching 500 - has a big ambition: to source all its electricity needs without burning any fossil fuels at all. Within five years, it wants all of its power to come from renewable energy sources.

Newstead is not unique in that goal. At least a dozen towns around Australia, including Yackandandah, Tyalgum, Byron Bay and Lismore, have declared a similar ambition, even if most are allowing themselves more time to reach the target.