Tuesday 16 January 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
Property Council welcomes investment in energy-saving upgrades for social and low-income housing in NSW
The Federal and NSW Governments have today announced a new $206-million package in support of energy saving upgrades. The package will deliver welcome long-term cost-of-living savings to 30,000 households in NSW, with a focus on social housing properties and access to solar for low-income renters and apartment residents – a move which the Property Council welcomes.
Under this arrangement, the Commonwealth and NSW Governments will provide matched funding of $87.5 million (a total of $175 million over four years) with the aim of reducing energy bills for tenants living in those properties most prone to extremes of temperature.
“The Property Council welcomes this joint commitment to support energy efficiency in Australia’s housing stock. We especially welcome the decision to prioritise low-income and social housing, which will help ensure our most vulnerable tenants don’t get left behind in the much-needed shift to climate-resilient buildings,” says Property Council of Australia’s NSW Executive Director, Katie Stevenson.
“In NSW, a large proportion of the built environment is already constructed, ageing and requires renovation and renewal. Today’s announcement is an example of how, with government support and direction, we can mitigate some of the risks that face communities living in substandard and poorly performing dwellings.”
The Property Council of Australia has long advocated for policy changes that will support Australia reaching its decarbonisation goals. Our ‘Every Building Counts’ report, launched last year, set forth a roadmap for government towards a greener, healthier and more equitable built environment. Among its many recommendations was a call to prioritise low-income and vulnerable Australians in the shift towards zero-carbon-ready, resilient building planning, and it’s positive to see various layers of government adopting some of these changes.
ENDS
Media contact: Kirsty Sier | 0435 075 085 | [email protected]