One Million Homes
In the lead up to the 2010 election, Premier Baillieu committed to raising Victoria’s existing homes to an average of 5 stars, meaning everyone can benefit from nifty water and energy efficiency measures – great for your bank balance and great for combating climate change! Now it’s time to deliver…
Throughout 2010 the One Million Homes Alliance worked hard top get both major parties to commit to raising Victoria’s existing houses from an average of 2 stars, to 5 stars. Victoria already has a minimum standard of 6 stars in place for all new homes being built, so this commitment was the piece in the puzzle we needed to get all of Victoria’s homes energy efficient and firmly in the 21st century.
But having 5 star homes for Victorians is not just about reducing our greenhouse pollution – although it will do that too. It’s also about caring for those most vulnerable in our community; making sure that all Victorians will have homes that are more comfortable to live in and cost less to warm and cool. Today in Victoria those living in poverty are far more likely to be living in poor quality housing and under risk of ‘utilities stress’ - i.e. being unable to afford to heat or cool their homes, or must go without essentials, such as food or medication, in order to do so. 5 star homes will make a real difference to these households.
But it’s a long way from commitment to actual 5 star homes for all Victorians. This year the Alliance is working to support the Baillieu Government in establishing how their 5 star commitment can be met. We will soon release a report that offers key principles we believe are essential to ensure a successful scheme, in addition to an analysis of the different approaches that could be utilised.
There’s a lot we stand to gain.
There’s a lot we stand to gain.
By retrofitting One Million Homes in Victoria, our government could:
- go a long way towards dealing with climate change
- create up to 6,900 new green jobs
- reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 2.4 million tonnes
- save 32.5 billion litres of water for our rivers
- ensure that our buildings and homes are climate change ready, protecting us from heatwaves, cold-snaps and dryer conditions
- save Victorian households on average $296 per year on utility bills that are already rising and set to rise more
- produce $296 million in benefits to the Victorian community per year
- support low income households and those suffering from energy hardship
The One Million Homes Alliance has produced a report which looks at the 5 star commitment – Liveable homes, liveable future. We’ve reviewed and rated the different policy options for achieving 5 star homes, and developed essential principles which any of the approaches adopted by the government should adhere to, if they are to maximise the many social, environmental and economic gains on offer.
Raising our homes to 5 stars has the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life and bank balance of over a million Victorian households – many our most vulnerable - while creating jobs and reducing greenhouse pollution, energy and water use. It truly is a win-win for Victoria’s economy and environment.
Read Liveable homes, liveable future
When it comes down to the nuts and bolts, a government’s annual budget is where we can all see how serious they are on the verbal commitments they’ve made. The One Million Homes Alliance is keen to see the Victorian Government act on their 5 star commitment in the 2012-13 Budget next May, so we’ve recently submitted our advice on what they should do and by when.
We’d like to see them reaffirm their commitment to raising Victoria’s existing homes to an average of 5 stars, and set a clear timeframe for achieving it by 2020. We believe the research required to progress this commitment in 2012-13, which they will need to fund, includes:
a. A definition of ‘5 star’, which includes both energy and water efficiency measures
b. Analysis of the cost to government of achieving the 5 star standard
c. Analysis of the savings to government of achieving the 5 star standard
d. Assessment of the best mix of programs and investment to achieve the election commitment.
We also think it’s essential that all existing water and energy efficiency programs be refunded.
You can read our full submission here
Read our One Million Homes report here
Read the full Green Jobs report
We’ve formed an alliance with other groups to make sure our voice is heard load and clear.
Coordinated by Environment Victoria, the Alliance comprises consumer, social, and environment organisations such as Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, Moreland Energy Foundation, Victorian Council of Social Services and the Alternative Technology Association. Our aim is to see a fair and effective scheme put in place to raise existing Victorian homes to a minimum 5 star standard, which will help the State meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Hop here to see who's involved
Convinced? Click here to find out how you can support the campaign
More Resources
Prior to the state election, we analysed where the major Victorian parties stand on retrofitting one million low-income homes for water and energy efficiency by 2014. Get the details here
And post the election, we prepared a list of their election commitments - the good, the vague and the downright worrying. You can find it here
Zero emissions homes are no pipe dream. We’ve also got a plan to make sure that all new homes across Victoria are up to scratch. Read our report: Towards Climate Safe Homes
By investing in more community education programs, our government could also help Victorians use water and energy more efficiently. Check out our Sustainable Living Programs
No carbon cut targets: Baillieu
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Reid Sexton, The Age
The Baillieu government has backed further away from its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent this decade, just a day after calling on Canberra to dump the...
moreCoalition’s condemned for failure to reveal climate change policy
Friday, 26 November 2010
Environment Victoria today condemned the Victorian Coalition for hiding their climate change policy from voters, confirming fears that the Coalition has no credible...
moreCoalition lagging badly on environment
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Victoria’s four major environment groups say they are sorely disappointed by the handful of environment policies released by the Victorian Coalition so far in the lead up to the state...
moreHume joins push to go green
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Hume Council has joined an alliance pushing governments to make one million Victorian homes energy and water-efficient in the next five years.
The a href="http://www.environmentvictoria.org.au/...
moreHelping Victorian homes tackle climate change, energy & water bills
Monday, 12 July 2010
The One Million Homes Alliance is calling on the Victorian Government to enable more Victorians to...
moreSoaring costs put families at risk
Monday, 12 July
The Herald Sun, Karen Collier
Surging energy and water bills are pushing even middle-class families into hardship.
Welfare agencies report a rise in working households choosing between heating and eating - and...
morePlan 'could cut energy bills'
Monday, 12 July 2010
The Age, Adam Morton
Nearly half of Victoria's homes would slash energy and water wastage and cut bills under a $2.57 billion proposal backed by an alliance of social welfare and environment groups...
moreZero emissions homes within reach
Thursday, 17 September 2009
In the wake of Victoria’s warmest and driest winter on record, environment groups today called for new building standards to reduce emissions and water use, and to help the state’s homes...
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Flickr
- One Million Homes: A 2010 energy and water efficiency campaign |
- Where the major Victorian parties stand on retrofitting one million low-income homes for water and energy efficiency by 2015 |
- 2011 Annual Report |
- Zero emissions homes within reach |
- Coalition lagging badly on environment |
- Coalition’s condemned for failure to reveal climate change policy |
