Brimbank residents are set to power up with more solar panels hitting roofs.
A $108 million cleaner, cheaper energy package for Victorians includes $16 million for apartment owners to install solar panels on apartment buildings.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen Bowen and Fraser MP Daniel Mulino, recently visited a newly completed apartment building in Service Street, Sunshine, which already has a bank of solar panels, precisely the type of development the new initiative is encouraging, and provides affordable housing for key workers.
“In the past it’s been difficult for apartment residents to reap the benefits of cleaner, cheaper solar – this program will help overcome those barriers and power more Australian homes with renewables – and lead to savings of about $500 a year in energy bills,” Minister Bowen said.
“There has already been more than 500 registrations of interest in the program, showing the huge demand for accessible solar.”
The building is also home to key workers, including teachers, nurses, and healthcare, support and retail workers, thanks to an investment by Uniting Housing, which bought 17 apartments in the building to provide affordable housing.
The residents, who are mostly in their 20s and 30s and from culturally diverse backgrounds, pay just 75 per cent of market rent.
“Affordable housing is essential infrastructure; it supports wellbeing and strengthens personal and community connections. It is also important that key workers can live close to their jobs, which is why investments such as Uniting’s are so valuable,” said Dr Mulino.
About 12 per cent of Victoria’s 2.5 million households live in apartments, with about 63 per cent of these occupied by renters.
Round one apartment panel applications are open until April 15.
More information: solar.vic.gov.au
