Cut The Red Tape
Below is information relating to Government rebates, schemes and initiatives. We have provided a description and a link to more information including the application forms for the rebates.
Please contribute by submitting information to display on this page to admin@greenbuild.com.au.
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Energy Efficient Homes Package from Federal Government Dept. Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Home Insulation Program provides $1,200 for roof insulation for owners renters and landlords or $1,600 for Solar Hot Water.
Insulating Australian Households Program : If you are a home owner-occupier, you may apply for the free ceiling insulation. The program commenced with its announcement on 3 February 2009 under a rebate scheme. From 1 July 2009 to 31 August 2009 there were separate arrangements for owner- occupiers and rental properties. This program now covers all eligible households and is in effect to 31 December 2011 or until the date when Program funds have been fully allocated, whichever occurs first. Please note that a revised edition of the Program Guidelines was released on 1 November 2009 where the rebate amount changed from $1,600 to $1,200.Phone 1800 808 571 and make a booking. The call centre will take your details and confirm your eligibility and arrange for a properly-trained installer to visit your house, assess your insulation needs, and install it for you.
Householders who wish to participate in the program must read the Program guidelines before arranging insulation. The insulation must be installed by an insulation installer who is registered on the Australian Government's Installer Provider Register.
The $1,200 insulation assistance is an alternative to the $1,600 solar hot water rebate. Householders cannot access both assistance packages for the same home.
Solar Hot Water and Heat Pump Rebate : If you are a home owner, you may apply for a rebate for your own home or tenanted rental property as well as the Low Emission Plan for Renters rebate. The Previous Solar Hot Water Rebate Program providing the $1,000 rebate is available for systems installed before 3 February 2009. See: http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/solarhotwater/index.html
For further information: http://www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/index.html
Green Home Loans
$10,000 Green Low Interest Loan from Federal Government Dept. Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
The Australian Government's Green Loans Program will assist Australian families to install solar, water saving, and energy efficient products. This $300 million five year program will commence in mid 2009. Program guidelines that will set out eligibility criteria and administrative arrangements are being finalised.The Program has two main elements.
- Firstly, homeowners looking to save energy and water will be able to access a qualified assessor to investigate their current energy and water use. The assessment will include the provision of a green renovations kit which will provide simple devices and practical information that allows the home owner to make immediate water and energy saving changes to their property. The assessors will then provide a tailored report, unique to that household on the best actions that can be undertaken. The advice will be ranked in order of a combination of environmental benefit and operational cost savings.
- Secondly, the program will help households who chose to undertake actions suggested by the assessment with a low interest Green Loan of up to $10,000. The loans will be made available through partnering financial institutions.
Rebates
Solar Panels - Solar Credits through RECS (see RECS below for more info.)
From the 10th September 2009, The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator is providing Solar Credits for households installing rooftop solar panels.- You can receive five times as many RECs for each megawatt-hour of solar energy produced by their solar panels. For example, based on a REC price of $40, a 1.5 kilowatt solar panel system installed in Sydney would receive $6200. Based on a REC price of $50, the same system would receive $7750. Suppliers of solar panel systems will, in most cases, offer a discount on the price of the system in return for the Solar Credits. Households considering installing solar panels are encouraged to shop around for the best deal.
- Solar Credits are available to households, businesses and community groups for eligible small-scale renewable energy systems, including rooftop solar panels and small-scale wind and micro hydro systems. The scheme will be backdated to include eligible systems installed from 9 June 2009.
For further information: http://www.orer.gov.au/SGU/index.html
Gas
The Residential Gas Installation Rebate Scheme closed at midnight on 31 August 2009. The final deadline to lodge rebate applications with gas retailers was 14 September 2009.For more information: http://www.dme.qld.gov.au/Energy/gas_rebate.cfm#two
Water
$500 from Australian Government Dept. Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts- Rebates of up to $500 for households to install rainwater tanks or greywater systems.
- Grants to surf lifesaving clubs of up to $10,000 to install water saving and water efficient devices.
Click here for more information: and get the Rebate http://www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/nrgi/index.html
The Queensland Government Home Water Wise Rebate Scheme and Home Garden Water Wise Rebate Scheme have been cancelled.
Remote Area Renewable Energy
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program is closed to new applications except in Western Australia.Click here for more information: http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/rrpgp/index.html.
RECS Renewable Energy Certificates
- A registered certificate represents a megawatt-hour of eligible renewable electricity generated and the certificates are traded. The price of the RECS changes.
- If the certificate is redeemed (paid out in cash) it is worth about $40 per certificate (Nov 2008).
- RECS are issued for solar hot water systems; small generation units such as photovoltaic panels, wind systems and small hydro electric systems and renewable energy power plants. Eg. A solar hot water system may have 33 RECS @ $40 each = $1,320.
- The RECS certificates are controlled by the Federal Government Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator.
- The RECS price is set by negotiation between sellers and buyers. The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator has a list of agents that trade in RECs.
- The sellers of products that have RECS can act as an agent and redeem (cash them in) them for you.
Government Initiatives
Queensland Government EPA-Climate Smart Living
Climate Smart Living: The Low Carbon Diet Community Funding Program: This two-year funding program offers grants between $2000 and $10 000 (GST exclusive) to not-for-profit incorporated community organisations, local councils and tertiary institutions throughout Queensland. For more information: http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/get_involved/low_carbon_diet/fundingClimate Smart Home Service: This new service will help you improve your energy efficiency at home. A service like this would normally cost around $450, but with assistance from the Queensland Government, Queensland residents will pay just $50. A qualified electrician will visit your home to conduct a water and energy audit, provide energy advice and install a wireless energy monitor that can be used to check your electricity use throughout the home. Starts January 2009. Register early at: http://www.climatesmarthome.com.
Australian Government Environmental Taxation Concessions
Dept. Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has responsibility for a number of administrative arrangements relating to taxation concessions as follows:- Providing a donor, who has donated a gift of $5,000 or more to an environment or heritage organisation, the opportunity to claim the donation against their tax returns over a five year period.
- Providing a capital gains tax exemption for gifts of property left in a will to an eligible organisation.
- Providing income taxation concessions for landowners entering conservation covenants with eligible organisations, this includes States, Territories, some local governments and some non-government organisations.
- Providing environmental organisations with deductible gift recipient status.
Links
Go to this excellent source of links for sustainable development.http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/energyefficiency/index.html
