HELPING VULNERABLE VICTORIANS RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings today announced Energy and Water Task Force teams will give households a makeover that includes sealing draughts, installing or improving insulation, switching to energy-efficient lighting and installing low-flow shower heads.
(PressZoom) - Low-income households in Werribee, Preston, East Reservoir, Heidelberg West, Frankston North and Rosebud West will benefit from free energy and water saving retrofits through the Brumby Government’s Energy and Water Task Force program.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings today announced Energy and Water Task Force teams will give households a makeover that includes sealing draughts, installing or improving insulation, switching to energy-efficient lighting and installing low-flow shower heads.
“These residents can now look forward to a warmer, more comfortable home during winter and will save around $120 on their energy bills and about three-quarters of a tonne of greenhouse gas emissions every year – 15,000 black balloons,” Mr Jennings said.
“The Brumby Government is committed to acting on climate change in a way that means vulnerable Victorians are not left behind.
“We are delivering on our commitment to make sure the response to climate change enables Victoria to continue to be green, prosperous and fair.”
Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said new funding of $2 million from the Victorian Property Fund means the Energy and Water Task Force’s services will now be available to around 2800 Victorian households a year.
Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera MP said the teams consist of local unemployed people who are trained to identify where energy and water is wasted in households and put in place simple and cost-effective solutions.
“As well as providing such an important service to the community, the Task Force teams learn valuable skills in energy auditing and home retrofitting, with more than 60 per cent of participants finding employment and taking additional training as a result of their participation in the program,” Mr Perera said.
The program is delivered in collaboration with the Department of Human Services Neighbourhood Renewal Program, the Department of Planning and Community Development and community organisations such as the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Mission Australia.
Brotherhood of St Laurence Executive Director Tony Nicholson said that low-income households will be particularly vulnerable to climate change and the effects of introducing an Emissions Trading Scheme.
“We are delighted with this funding from the Victorian Government, it both assists vulnerable households with energy costs, which will become even more important under an emissions trading scheme, and builds ‘green collar’ job skills,” Mr Nicholson said.
Mr Jennings said the Energy and Water Task Force is a great example of a climate change initiative that also shows the Brumby Government’s determination to build social equity into the Victorian response to climate change.
More than 4700 homes have already been retrofitted in Victoria, and a further 2800 homes are earmarked for retrofitting this year.
For more information on the Energy and Water Task Force, visit Sustainability Victoria’s website at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
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