Maldon set to choose its community battery artwork design

The Maldon community is being invited to help select the final artwork for the town’s new community battery, which will help support greater levels of rooftop solar.

Electricity distributor Powercor is installing the Maldon community battery on Adair Street, opposite the Maldon Hospital.

The battery is designed to soak up excess rooftop solar and supply up to 50 nearby properties during peak demand periods.

Now, Maldon residents can have their say on the battery’s artwork.

Powercor has partnered with Dja Dja Wurrung artist Daikota Nelson, who has developed two art concepts reflecting Maldon’s culture, community and connection to Country.

Powercor has also been working closely with the Mount Alexander Shire Council to ensure the final design choices meets local heritage guidelines.

Powercor’s First Peoples Engagement Lead Tegan Miller, said two mural concepts have been developed by Daikota, each telling a unique story of connection to Country and community.

“Working on the first Aboriginal public art in Maldon on Dja Dja Wurrung Country with DJAARA and Dja Dja Wurrung artist Daikota Nelson has been very rewarding. She has come up with two striking designs that the community can vote on” Ms Miller said.

“I encourage residents to help us pick the artwork that will be applied to the battery”

How to vote:

• Online right now at www.powercor.com.au/maldon
• In person at the Maldon Farmers Market on Sunday, 12 October.
• Those without access to the internet or who can’t make it to the Farmers Market can call 13 22 06 to have the artwork options delivered to a letterbox.

The project is jointly funded by Powercor and the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar Program

Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, welcomed the news.

"This is an opportunity for locals to have their say on a wonderful new community art project that will also help power their neighbourhood.

"Maldon has an iconic streetscape and I look forward to finding out which artwork is selected.”

Artwork voting closes 26 October, with the final design to be announced in November.

Powercor will begin installing the battery later this year.