An ambitious goal to improve the energy efficiency of Victoria’s homes will play a major role in achieving Victoria’s nation leading target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 per cent by 2020.
Launching Taking Action for Victoria’s Future – The Victorian Climate Change White Paper Action Plan, the Premier, John Brumby said that the government’s new goal of Victorian homes achieving an average 5 star equivalent energy rating by 2020 would help reduce energy bills as well as reducing emissions and creating jobs.
“Our Government is rising to the challenge of climate change, supporting new initiatives to cut emissions and creating a climate of opportunity,” Mr Brumby said.
“Our Government’s disciplined economic management means Victoria is in a position to lead the country in tackling climate change and locking in our sustainability for the future.
“Reducing the amount of energy we use in the home is often the quickest, simplest and most cost-effective way to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs.
“Victoria was the first state in Australia to move to the 5 Star standard for new homes. From May 2011 we will implement the 6 Star standard including hot water heating and water efficiency requirements.
“As well as building efficient and comfortable new homes, improving existing homes will not only reduce emissions and improve comfort, it will help create at least one thousand new jobs and drive demand for new sustainable materials.”
Under the Victorian Climate Change White Paper, the Victorian Government commits to new actions to lift the energy performance of our homes including a comprehensive household retrofit program to assist Victorian householders to reduce their energy consumption.
“Victorians will also have access to an additional $8 million for rebates to make to switch to solar hot water,” Mr Brumby said.
“Already more than 33,000 Victorian households have received the rebate and installed solar hot water. Now more households will have the opportunity to reduce their emissions and their energy bills.”
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Gavin Jennings said that many Victorians were already taking steps to make their home more efficient and that good information and support was essential to help people make decisions about their homes.
“We will provide households with comprehensive, easy-to access information on opportunities to save energy in the home and access to all relevant government services, rebates and programs through a one-stop shop Climate Communities Web Portal,” Mr Jennings said.
“We will also build upon the landmark Black Balloons You have the power: Save Energy campaign, encouraging Victorians to continue to save energy in their homes, and linking them up with further information, grants and services.”
“The new COAG requirement for disclosure of a home’s energy performance when a house is sold or leased will also come into effect from 2011, giving homeowners and landlords useful information and an incentive to upgrade their homes.
“Victoria will also advocate to the Commonwealth Government for the commencement of the $35 million GreenStart program in Victoria, to provide energy assessments for households, and grants to community and welfare sector NGOs and other organisations to provide practical help to low-income and disadvantaged Australians to improve their energy efficiency.
“Victorian are already keen supporters of the GreenPower program, with around 15 per cent of homes - over 300,000 - sourcing their energy from renewable power. The Government will encourage even more Victorians to take part in this program, with aim of having 500,000 homes participating in the scheme.”