Council offers money to city flats to be more energy efficient
NEELIMA CHOAHAN NEW DEVELOPMENT REPORTER HERALD SUN
CITY apartment buildings could get up to a $3000 rebate to retrofit common areas with solar panels and LED lights.
The $40,000 sustainability makeover is targeted at established multi-developments.
Melbourne City councillor Arron Wood said the program would save energy, slash bills and make older stock more sellable.
“Over 80 per cent of our residents live in apartments and we have over 1200 apartment buildings in the City of Melbourne,” Cr Wood said.
“It equates to over 50,000 individual apartments.”
Cr Wood said residential apartments consumed more than 25 per cent per person more energy than a detached dwelling.
“Over half of the total energy consumption is attributable to common areas such as pools, gym, car parks and hot water systems,” he said.
The new initiative is part of the national Smart Block program which helps apartment owners reduce their environmental impacts and energy costs.
Cr Wood said 63 apartment towers had already signed up to the program which was released last year.
Woodlands Cleaning and Property Services, director, John Larner said the program was a good way to keep owner’s corporation fees down.
Mr Larner, who manages three buildings, said he had already installed LED lighting in the communal areas four years ago.
“Our energy bills went down 30 per cent,” Mr Larner said.
“With the rebate we will be replacing all of our car park lighting with LED tubes.”
