Harper Sercombe
Hume council is encouraging its residents to ‘electrify everything’ as part of a joint campaign between councils across Australia.
Mayor Joseph Haweil said council wants to emphasise that there are options for all types of households to use energy efficiently and contribute to a clean energy future.
“There are many benefits of all-electric homes, they are cheaper to run, they are healthier for your family and are better for our environment,” Cr Haweil said.
The council will promote the initiative through social media, newsletters and community events. To help residents make the switch to electricity in a way that works for them, by also providing a checklist of actions they can take now or plan for the future.
“As a growth area council there is a real opportunity for us to inform new home buyers. Buying a fully electric home is the easiest way to go all-electric and future-proof your investment,” Cr Haweil said.
However, the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL), a social justice organisation that works to prevent and alleviate poverty across Australia, said that it supports electric only homes but low income household requires more government assistance to do so.
“Getting off gas will reduce household energy bills and make an essential contribution to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Damian Sullivan, BSL’s climate change and energy lead said.
“However, lower income households are likely to be the last ones left on the gas network, paying more, unless further support is put in place.
“Renters face some of the biggest barriers. Even if they can afford to, they’re often not allowed by their landlords to switch to electric appliances, and many were afraid to even ask.
“Electrification and energy efficiency upgrades are essential because they lead to robust energy bill reductions, which last over time, unlike one-off payments.”
Details- www.hume.vic.gov.au/Residents/Environment/Electrify-Everything
