The Victorian Greens have called on the state government to put solar and batteries on all free-standing public housing homes on the back of its recent solar for schools announcement.
By funding the installation of solar and batteries for the state’s 24,000 free-standing public housing homes, the government would help to bring down bills and create more jobs for electricians and solar installers.
Public housing has been neglected by successive state governments for decades, leaving many units in disrepair and in need of upgrades.
Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, said that fixing our public housing homes would help both affected residents and our state’s economy during the pandemic.
The Greens also want to see renewable energy upgrades provided for all other public housing homes, as well as the replacement of any old and dangerous gas heating with cheaper and safer reverse cycle air-conditioning.
This push is part of the Greens’ renewables-led recovery plan and Green New Deal for Victoria, a plan announced this week which also includes building Victoria’s first offshore wind farm in Gippsland and upgrading the Portland aluminium smelter so that it can become a ‘reverse battery’ and use more renewable energy.
As stated by Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
“Our state government’s track record on public housing has been pretty woeful. We have a lot of people doing it really tough right now, and lowering energy bills with solar is a great way to help.
“After years of campaigning by the Greens, the government finally announced it would put solar on Victorian schools – and now we want to see that will extended to 24,000 public housing homes to bring down bills for everyone.”
