Case Studies
Case Studies are produced to review the successes, failures and learnings of the Bushlight project. Selected communities are examined to uncover what new knowledge has been developed during the project or what we might have missed, to feed back into strengthening Bushlight's design and community engagement processes. It is hoped that this information will help to increase the capacity of similar RE projects and disseminate the valuable and unique results of the Bushlight project to the wider community.
Mount Peachy - March 2004
The community of Mount Peachy has been established for approximately fifteen years. Before Bushlight began working with them, one of their greatest problems was securing reliable and affordable energy services. There are three Bushlight household solar power systems at Mt Peachy; this Case Study looks at just one of these. Syd and Connie are the major householders. Their energy service goals included continuous power for refrigeration to help keep food for longer, and power for a washing machine and TV. Since the Bushlight system has been put in, they've had: "...more money for things we want," and "...don't have to run to town every few days to get fresh tucker."
PDF: Case Study - Mount Peachy (1.2Mb)
Corkwood Bore - April 2005
The community of Corkwood Bore is the relocation site for the Arrernte families of Harry's Creek East Outstation; relocated due to the construction of the Alice Springs to Darwin railway. Bushlight was asked to assist by assessing and providing energy services to the new houses at the new site before the community moved in. This approach of working with community members that had not lived in their new houses created a number of issues to do with energy consumption patterns and practices and the adoption of gas for cooking. A number of technical issues also tested the Bushlight process. Despite this, community outcomes have been very positive at Corkwood Bore. "Solar power is mwarre anthurre - very good".
PDF: Case Study - Corkwood Bore (777kb)
Dingo Spring - August 2005
At Dingo Spring, 45 km east of Kununurra, inadequate power and water supplies made living on this homeland very difficult. Bushlight worked closely with the Resource Agency to improve these two essential services. This Case Study highlights how the provision of affordable and sustainable essential services can give remote communities a solid foundation for making major improvements to their livelihoods. Also important is building residents' capacity to manage their energy services. "The first thing we tell everyone who goes out there is ...we have a fridge and freezer that's always connected but we can't have people plugging in hair dryers, frying pans and all that. We give them the Bushlight manual to read."
PDF: Case Study - Dingo Spring (524kb)
Chuula - September 2005
The community of Chuula is occupied by the Kaanju people and sits on their traditional homelands on the Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. The residents of Chuula stay on their homeland all year and are well established with a proven track record of efficiently using, maintaining and servicing their infrastructure and resources. Even so, the introduction of the Bushlight RE System has provided them with more time and finances to further develop their aspirations. "Even during the wet season when there was overcast days we managed our power use and never ran out of power."
PDF: Case Study - Chuula (877kb)
Kurraya - September 2005
During the community energy planning process with Bushlight, the residents of Kurraya spelled out how they were working to develop the community and their aspirations for the place. With the installation of the Bushlight system, residents are now better equipped to make these a reality. They have also been able to save money. "I don't know how much but I've got a couple of thousand that I've saved up in the bank."
PDF: Case Study - Kurraya (631kb)
Putulki - September 2005
Putulki is a small Warramungu community north-east of Tennant Creek. Bushlight began working with the community in May 2004. An 18.4 kWh system was commissioned in November of that year. Since then, diesel savings for the residents have been significant, while the availability of 24-hour power has meant they ahve been able to keep food longer, saving them trips into town. A local community leader and sculptor, Day Day Frank, says: "I reckon it's good; we just gotta always turn 'em off, not leave 'em all on."
PDF: Case Study - Putulki (1.2Mb)
Milibundurra - December 2005
Milibundurra lies in the Gulf region near Borroloola. Not long after installation of their Bushlight system, residents had to leave for many months due to sorry business. Since returning home though, residents leave the community less often than before and for shorter periods, thanks to the increased comforts made available at home by the Bushlight installation. They also use the generator much less. "We only need to use the generator when the needle gets low, like when its cloudy and we want to do a lot of washing."
PDF: Case Study - Milibundurra (1Mb)
Sandridge - December 2005
The community of Sandridge is situated on a ridge of sand on the McArthur River floodplain, near Borroloola. Traditional Owner, Nancy McDinny and her husband Stewart Hoosan are both successful artists who wanted a place to live and work with their families that was quieter than Borroloola. The community saves about $9000 a year on diesel and as Stewart says: "When the river is over the powerlines, Wandangula (the closest community to Borroloola on grid power), has no power; but Sandridge has power."
PDF: Case Study - Sandridge (1.2Mb)
Bawaka - December 2005
Bawaka is a small Yolgnu homeland on the coast near Cape Arhem. Lots of children often visit Bawaka where they are taught fishing hunting and many aspects of culture. The energy service goals of the community included good, reliable refrigeration to look after the food that was caught, as well as affordable, reliable power so that one important community member who needed to run a nebuliser for his asthma, could stay permanantly. The system has proved very popular, with one resident writing: "...enjoying myself reading the voltmeter and wattmeter. The Bushlight system is working well, I hope it works forever."
PDF: Case Study - Bawaka (2Mb)
Birri Williams - December 2005
Birri Williams is a small outstation situated on the northern coast of Mornington Island. It is the permanant home of Johnny and Betty Mae Williams and their family. They provide respite and care for a number of family children. Residents also produce artefacts which are sold at the nearby Birri Resort. 24-hour power has significantly improved the quality of life for the community, as well as saving them plenty of money. "Quiet, no noise, no duk duk duk duk all night long."
PDF: Case Study - Birri Williams (1.2Mb)
Gunun Woonun - March 2006
Gunun Woonun translates as tall oak tree. The people of Gunun Woonun have a strong connection with their country and fishing and hunting are a large part of family's life. Due to the large number of family who visit in and out of the community, a lot of money is spent on diesel for transport. With the Bushlight system the community has been able to save money that was previous being spent on diesel for the generator. The system is also big enough so that they can run some new appliances like a washing machine, TV and DVD. "Solar is better, quiet, ...the generator is noisy."
PDF: Case Study - Gunun Woonun (721kb)
Kitty's Well - March 2006
Kitty's Well is a homeland community in the Kullari region of the south eastern Kimberley. The local word for Kitty's Well is Brunbrunganjal. In the past, the community has spent a lot of their money in running the generator. Lots of local children often visit the community for cultural eductaion events and bush trips. A lot of significant law business also takes place here. In order to provide good services to visitors has meant running the generator lots. John Hopiga, Traditional Owner says: "We saved a lot of money in diesel this year because we did not need to run the generator so much".
PDF: Case Study - Kitty's Well (514kb)
Galawdjapin - April 2006
The community of Galawdjapin is close to Ramingining in Arnhemland and is the home of Robert and Margaret. The community recieves a steady stream of visitors ranging from 2 - 20, especially children during the school holidays. Reliable power, refrigeration and reduced diesel consumption were Robert and Margarets goals and these have been met. The system has, however, struggled to meet the demands of the community's visitors. This is either due to an undersized system, inadequate training and informational resources on proper system use or a combination of both.
PDF: Case Study - Galawdjapin (356kb)
Wulununjur - May 2006
Wulununjar community is 200 kms from Broome in W.A. The community aims to build a good environment for their children and grandchildren with activities revolving around food as well as working with cattle and horses. After Bushlight, the community's diesel costs per annum have been reduced from $12,000 to $3,000. Clyde Nelse, T.O., "could not be any more happier with the solar system, we have power all the time, we can run fans ...and sleeping at night is a lot more comfortable, we got fridges to store our
food, what more can a man ask for?".
PDF: Case Study - Wulununjur (1.4Mb)
Ngarantjadu - May 2006
Situated in the Fizroy Valley region of the Kimberley, Ngarantjadu was established in 2003. The original location of this homeland was about 25 km south around the small lake known as Ngarantjadu, people moved to the current location to access better water supplies. Unfortunately, this community has not been permanently occupied since the Bushlight system was installed in September 2004. The main issue for the community is a lack of transport and ongoing support to set up the bush rehabilitation camp for their youth at risk. The Regional Energy Plan for 2006-08 has identified the system for relocation to another community.
PDF: Case Study - Ngarantjadu (706kb)
Wumajbarr - May 2006
Wumajbarr is 20 kms north from Numbulwar in East Arnhem land. The death of an elder meant the community was unoccupied for many months, however, residents say that the Bushlight system had made life much easier for them; it had also brought about significant savings in diesel consumption and made it possible to keep food collected from hunting. "...all outstations should have the same system as Wumajbarr has".
PDF: Case Study - Wumajbar (1Mb)
Gunbah - June 2006
Gunbah, meaning Big Country, is a small outstation on Mornington Island in the Gulf off the north Queensland coast. Its sole house is occupied mainly on weekends as the residents need to stay in town for their employment. At various times in the past, community residents have lived at Gunbah on a permanent basis. Their plans with a Bushlight system involved improving community living by reducing their dependence on diesel. Unfortuntely, to date, Gunbah remains untenanted on a permanent basis. That said, residents have expressed satisfaction with their system. "The system makes being on the homelands much easier and cheaper".
PDF: Case Study - Gunbah (855kb)
Munget - May 2007
Munget is a small homeland on the Dampier Peninsula, north of Broome in the Kimberley region. Munget residents have seen a lot of changes since they first moved permanently to the homeland in 1999. During community energy planning in 2004 one of the main aspirations identified by the community was the desire to establish an eco-tourism venture. Residents realised this goal in 2006 when they purchased a team of six camels and started a camel trek business. In addition to supporting a livlihood on the homeland, resident Jacinta Monck says that having access to reliable 24 hour power has "meant the difference between being able to live here and not really".
PDF: Case Study - Munget (835kb)
Mingalkala - June 2007
The outstation of Mingalkala is situated in the Fitzroy Valley region of the central Kimberley, about an hours drive east of Fitzroy Crossing. The Bushlight system at Mingalkala was commissioned in late 2005 and supplies power to a community kitchen, an ablutions block and two transportables which serve as houses. In spite of a general appreciation for the Bushlight system, residents have, since quite soon after commissioning, expressed dissatisfaction with its perfomance. This has been due to a variety of factors ranging from technical issues with the system itself, a large, highly mobile population, inadequate housing and a CEP process that was not successfully carried out. This case study looks in detail at the issues Bushlight faced in Mingalkala and attempts to identify how and why these occurred. Measures Bushlight has since taken to ensure the same mistakes have not happened in other communities are then also looked at.
PDF: Case Study - Mingalkala (1050kb)
Irrerlirre & Karrinyarra - December 2007
Irrerlirre and Karrinyarra are two outstations in Central Australia. Bushlight commissioned a renewable energy system at each of these outstations in March 2006 and May 2005 respectively. The renewable energy system at each of these two communities have worked well and provided reliable energy to residents. On occasion however, the systems have failed to meet the daily energy needs of residents. This Case Study looks at Bushlight's Community Energy Planning model, and how our approach to determining the size of energy budgets has changed during the course of the project.
PDF: Case Study - Irrerlirre & Karrinyarra (503kb)
Blue Bush - June 2008
Blue Bush community in the Tennant Creek region of Central Australia is going from strength to strength in realising its livelihood goals. The provision of reliable 24 hour energy through the Bushlight system has allow Bunnie and Norm Hooker to focus on their cattle enterprise. During the Community Energy Planning meetings carried out by Bushlight regional staff in late 2005 the Hooker family talked about wanting to develop a cattle enterprise. Almost three years later Blue Bush have 500 head of cattle and are looking to increase the herd to 4000. In addition, Norm and Bunnie have established a diversionary program for local youth to gain experience in the cattle industry. Over the course of 2007 they hosted four groups of young people in this capacity. The Blue Bush story shows how effective engagement coupled with motivated residents can bring about sustained imporovements in the life and livelihoods of people living on outstations.
PDF: Blue Bush (445kb)
Gnylmarung - August 2008
Gnylmarung is situated on the west coast of the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is a small homeland of very active residents. The Cox family founded the homeland in 1989 and took up permanent occupation in 2002. They are now successfully engaged in tourism through accomodating tourists and the producing art and crafts for sale. With support from a local training organisation Gnylmarung is also engaged in horticulture and have set up a nursery to further establish their community as a sustainable place to live. The Bushlight system at Gnylmarung helps support residents to live there year round and keep working toward their goals.
PDF: Gnylmarung (605kb)
Port Stewart - September 2008
Port Stewart is situated east of Coen on Cape York Peninsular in north Queensland. It is made up of the two small neighbouring homelands of Moojeeba & Theethinji. Bushlight carried out Community Energy Planning meetings with the residents of both homelands in 2004. Since this time residents have achieved many of their livelihood goals. A successful tourism enterprise is up and running which includes residents hosting organised fishing tours and self-drive tourists. A Natural Resource Management project is underway involving various ranger programs and residents are also involved in the cattle industry. In addition, Port Stewart's access to reliable energy through their Bushlight RE system allows residents to remain on country throughout the year, including during the wet season, this was not previously the case.
PDF: Port Stewart (332kb)
Chile Creek - November 2008
Chile Creek lies 200 kilometres north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia. Since moving permanently to the community in 2003 community leader Roma Puertollano has established a successful tourism enterprise. Having access to reliable 24 hour power through the Bushlight system has saved residents significant money that they were previously spending on diesel to run a generator for power. Through the hard work of Roma and her family residents have established a sustainable means of living on country.
PDF: Chile Creek (646kb)
Wada Warra - November 2008
The community of Wada Warra is in the Gulf Country of the Northern Territory, 45kms north of Borroloola. The residents of Wada Warra have a cattle enterprise and the local children are educated through School of the Air. The Bushlight system replaced a 17kVA diesel generator which was costing residents approximately $12,000 per year in diesel costs. Being able to keep food fresh and cold has been one of the outcomes for residents in having access to reliable 24 hour power.
PDF: Wada Warra (530kb)
Wandigalla - February 2009
This Case Study looks at the community of Wandigalla, its enterprises, and its energy services history. Wandigalla residents are actively pursuing their livelihood goals through the cattle industry, a CDEP program and a small art enterprise. The provision of reliable 24 hour power through the Bushlight system has made it easier to pursue these developments.
PDF: Wandigalla (620kb)
Mata Mata - April 2009
Mata Mata is a thriving Yolngu homeland in East Arnhem Land surrounded by rich natural resources which provide a significant portion of resident's dietary needs. The community is also equipped with important local services including a school and a clinic that are staffed regularly. Traditional Owner and community leader Phylis Batumbil is striving for new developments in the communty including the establishment of a tourism enterprise.
PDF: Mata Mata (440kb)
Mt Theo - April 2009
Mt Theo outstation is a community that is helping to change the lives and future of many young people in the region. As a rehabilitation centre, Mt Theo has brought empowerment and healing to many Warlpiri youth who were involved in substance misuse and other 'at risk' behaviours. For the past three years, Bushlight have been working with Mt Theo residents to provide them with reliable 24 hour power so they can continue to operate and expand as a successful respite centre for Warlpiri youth.
PDF: Mt Theo (640kb)
Wahrapaant - August 2009
Wahrapaant is situated near the community of Pormpuraaw, approximately 700 kms northeast of
PDF: Wahrapaant (485kb)
Ulpanyali - September 2009
Ulpanyali is situated within Watarrka (
PDF: Ulpanyali (263kb)
Kakadu - February 2010
Kakadu National Park is located 171km east of Darwin. This case study is about how the residents of Spring Peak, Kapalga, Paradise Farm and Patonga Homestead now live with their own Bushlight RE System, and how continuing access to reliable power has been essential to achieving their aspirations.
PDF: Kakadu (454kb)
Case Studies by Region:
Far-north Queensland
Chuula
Birri Williams
Gunun Woonen
Gunbah
Port Stewart
Wahrapaant
Central Australia
Mount Peachy
Corkwood Bore
Kurraya
Putulki
Irrerlirre & Karrinyarra
Blue Bush
Mt Theo
Ulpanyali
Kimberley
Dingo Springs
Kittys Well
Wulununjur
Ngarantjadu
Munget
Mingalkala
Gnylmarung
Chile Creek
Top End
Milibundarra
Sandridge
Bawaka
Galawdjapin
Wumajbarr
Wada Warra
Wandigalla
Mata Mata
Kakadu
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images of deceased people.