We must support communities to rebuild in a way that makes them resilient for future catastrophes. Adapting to climate change provides an opportunity for rural and regional Australia to re-invent itself and curb rural decline?

We need the Federal Government to stop downplaying the role of climate change, and honestly assess what must be done to prepare regional Australia to deal with the climate crisis.

Look at Scotland, where communities have invested in renewable assets that form the cornerstones of thriving local economies. Instead of funnelling money to distant electricity corporations, profits remain in the community, and community members can upskill.

Community energy is not unique to Scotland - many volunteer groups in Australia are helping their communities transition towards a decentralised, de-carbonised and democratised electricity supply.

But even community energy's biggest supporters in Austalia would admit that there is a long way to go before community energy projects can meaningfully contribute to baseload power. But in Scotland, coordinated, long-term Scottish government policy has enabled community-owned energy to meet baseload power demands in many rural communities.

Directing bushfire recovery money towards community-led, decentralised electricity and storage projects is the perfect opportunity to prove that rural Australians can take control and benefit from generating clean energy.

The Victorian town of Yackandandah shows how it can be done.

Over five years, Yackandandah has been transitioning its electricity supply to 100% renewable. About 60% of the houses in the town have solar panels, as does almost every community-owned building, as well as the local health and aged-care services. Yackandandah's fire station has a large solar and battery installation, so it can continue to operate in the event of a power outage.

This summer we lived through the climate catastrophe that many dreaded. But a narrative of fear will not help rural communities recover. Community-owned energy projects can provide hope for the future, enabling rural communities to take control of their own destinies.

Matt Grogan, is a co-founder of Totally Renewable Yackandandah and Indigo Power.