Page 3843 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 4 December 2007
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However, any delay in removing these weeds will result in a significant increase in cost and will increase the fuel load and fire hazard in the area.
This bill builds on the work already undertaken by this government to provide an efficient, effective and affordable public transport system; enhances a range of road safety initiatives already being undertaken through the ACT road safety action plan; and further enhances the look of the city.
Turning to housing, there are two items in the bill that I am particularly focused on: improvements in energy efficiency and water demand management in public housing. I am pleased to say that these initiatives continue the commitment the government has made to water and energy savings in public housing. This is not an ad hoc initiative. In 2005-06, for instance, the government provided $1 million for water and energy improvements to public housing and the work that was undertaken as a result forms the basis for the new initiative.
The ACT government has identified $20 million over 10 years to improve the energy efficiency of public housing properties. Housing ACT is developing a 10-year action plan to deliver the energy efficiency program, and the action plan is centred on building fabric improvements and improving the energy efficiency of hot water systems and heating appliances. Building fabric improvements include works such as wall and ceiling insulation, draught sealing and pelmets. When completed these improvements are less prone to failure and maintenance. More importantly, they lock in energy savings regardless of the tenant’s behaviour. Draught sealing of all single unit houses built before 1997, except those identified for disposal, will be carried out over the first five years. Approximately 4,000 properties will be affected. Wall insulation will be installed in high occupancy dwellings; that is, houses with four or more bedrooms. It is expected that approximately 800 properties will receive wall insulation.
Water and space heating and heating account for over 60 per cent of all energy used in houses. Improvements to hot water systems and heaters will make significant contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and approximately 600 energy-efficient hot water systems will be installed per year over the term of the program. These will be either five-star gas storage, instantaneous hot water systems or electric-boosted solar hot water systems. I should make it clear that many of the properties in the multi-unit complexes owned by Housing ACT are not suited to the installation of gas or solar hot water systems. Large homes that have had building fabric improvements and have electric heating will be the first properties targeted for heating system upgrades. Hot water systems and heaters will be replaced either on failure or on long-term vacancy, when the opportunity is taken to carry out major upgrades.
I am pleased to say that Housing ACT will be introducing other measures. These include increasing from three stars to four stars the energy efficiency rating target on homes purchased. If the property purchased does not reach the rating, improvements will be made to the building. Approximately 50 properties per annum will be improved. A photovoltaic electricity generation system will be trialled at one Housing ACT complex. Subject to the actual outcomes, more systems may be installed. A total
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