Up to 4,300 Western Australian households will benefit from home energy upgades, thanks to a $63.2 million partnership between the federal and WA governments to upgrade social housing properties across the state.
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Social housing properties are some of the most energy inefficient in Australia, with most built more than 20 years ago before minimum build standards. Upgrading a house from a 1-star energy efficiency rating to a 3-star rating can reduce energy consumption by 30% and decrease household power bills.
The partnership between the federal and WA governments will help remote and regional social housing residents in hotter climates such as the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid-west and Goldfield regions reduce their energy bills and keep homes cooler in summer.
The WA Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative will run until 2027 and deliver energy upgrades including hot water systems and lighting.
The social housing properties for upgrade will be identified by the WA government and will be owned and managed by the WA Department of Communities or managed by the WA department on behalf of landholders.
This investment is part of the federal government’s $1.7 billion Energy Savings Package, $300 million of which is helping to fund upgrades for up to 60,000 social housing properties across the country.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said, “The government was committed to helping households make real cost of living savings through their energy bills.
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“The Albanese and Cook Governments are helping all Australians to reap the rewards of the clean energy transformation.”
