Energy and Water Taskforce

The Energy and Water Task Force helps low income Victorians to save energy and water at home by providing a free home assessment and retrofit.  The program also assists local jobseekers to learn new green skills and participate in the retrofit work team.

The work team will visit the home to assess and identify opportunities for improving energy and water use. Following the assessment, a range of energy retrofit actions are undertaken which may include fitting energy efficient light globes, sealing up draughts, topping up insulation and fitting water efficient shower roses.

The work team also provides householders with tips on other ways to cut their energy and water bills.

In 2009/10 the program is operating in the following areas:

Suburbs and towns	Contact	Phone
Whittington (Geelong)	Encompass Community Services	5222 2819
City of Yarra suburbs and parts of City of Darebin (Alphington, Fairfield and Northcote	Low Energy Supplies & Services	1300 882 412
Orbost, Cann River and neighbouring towns	Mission Australia	1300 456 866
Ashwood, Dandenong, Doveton, Hampton Park and parts of City of Casey	Mission Australia	1300 456 866
Westernport towns (Hastings; Cranbourne South, Tooradin and neighbouring towns)	Mission Australia	1300 456 866
Swan Hill and Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Wycheproof and Watchem	Mission Australia	1300 456 866
Craigieburn	UnitingCare Cutting Edge	5831 6157
Seymour	UnitingCare Cutting Edge	5831 6157
Shepparton South	UnitingCare Cutting Edge	5831 6157
Cobram	UnitingCare Cutting Edge	5831 6157
Terang and surrounding towns	Western District Employment Access	5592 2225
Penshurst and surrounding towns	Western District Employment Access	5592 2225
Warrnambool	Western District Employment Access	5592 2225
Portland	Western District Employment Access	5592 2225
Rural areas surrounding Bendigo and Shepparton (Farmers receiving the Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (Drought Assistance))	Mission Australia	1300 456 866
West Heidelberg, East Reservoir and Preston	Mission Australia	1300 456 866
Churchill, Moe, Morwell and Traralgon	Try Youth and Community Services	5133 6879

On average, households whose homes are retrofitted enjoy annual electricity savings of 9%, gas savings of 16% and have each reduced greenhouse gases by approximately by 7.5 tonnes over 10 years.

A survey of householder satisfaction with the program found:

• 83% felt their home was more comfortable as a result, with 48% saying that it had improved 'a lot'.
• 77% have begun using their heater more efficiently, with 39% more likely to keep it off.

For more information contact us.

Australian Government Green Loans home assessments

Home assessments are also available through the Australian Government's Green Loans program. See link below for more information.