The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have announced a joint initiative to improve energy efficiency in more than 600 social housing properties across the Northern Territory.
The $10 million package aims to provide cost-of-living savings for residents by installing energy and water-efficient equipment in remote social housing.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the government is driving down power bills with social housing energy upgrades to help ease the cost of living for Territorians.
“Getting air conditioners into hundreds of homes will make life a lot more comfortable for Territorians and ensure the most vulnerable Australians are getting cost of living relief they need,” Bowen said.
Many social housing properties in the Northern Territory are among the least energy-efficient homes in Australia.
According to the governments, these homes often suffer from poor thermal performance and lack modern appliances, making them uncomfortable and costly to maintain.
The Northern Territory’s diverse climate, ranging from tropical heat in the north to extreme cold in desert areas, exacerbates these issues.
To tackle these challenges, the Federal and Northern Territory Governments are each contributing $5 million. This funding will be used to install efficient reverse cycle air conditioners in social housing properties. These installations are expected to significantly reduce energy bills for tenants while keeping their homes cooler during the hot months and warmer during cold nights.
The initiative will prioritise upgrades in remote and water-stressed communities, particularly in the Central Australia and Barkly regions. The first installations are set to begin in Yuedumu and Yuelamu in the coming months.
This project is part of the Albanese Government’s broader $300 million Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative.
The national initiative aims to upgrade up to 60,000 social housing properties across Australia, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing living costs for residents.
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