Environment Minister Peter Garrett said that the solar hot water rebate is not usually available for people building new homes, but that the Government had made an exception for homes destroyed in the fires.

The special arrangements for Victorian bushfire communities require that households are rebuilding a home that was lost in the fires, are installing a solar or heat pump hot water system that is eligible for at least 20 renewable energy certificates, and are also installing a rainwater tank at the property that meets the criteria for the Victorian five star building standards.

Mr Garrett said the special arrangements target the 2,000 homes estimated to have been destroyed in the February 2009 bushfires, as well as the 1,400 that were left uninhabitable.

The bushfire amendment is part of adjustments made to the Australian Government’s solar hot water rebate. From tomorrow, the rebate on heat pump systems will be reduced from $1,600 to $1,000, which the Government says will provide a fairer balance between the gap householders pay for a heat pump and solar hot water system. The $1,600 rebate on solar hot water systems is unchanged.

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“We’re offering $1,000 back on heat pump systems which can start at around $3,000, and a $1,600 rebate on solar hot water systems which start at about $4,200," said Mr Garrett.

Those who can show they bought their heat pump prior to 5 September 2009 will be eligible to apply for the higher rebate.