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Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
Queenslanders Energy and Water use |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Sep 26 2008 |
| Questions On Notice >> |
QUESTION:
MR LAWLOR asked the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and
Innovation (Mr McNamara)-
Are Queenslanders embracing the opportunity to be more efficient at home with energy, water and resources?
ANSWER:
The Queensland Government, through the collaborative efforts of the
Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Climate Change and other
agencies, is offering Queenslanders a number of programs and services toencourage more efficient energy and water use in the home.
The public response to these programs does indicate that Queenslanders areconscious of the need to conserve resources and be increasingly vigilant inconserving both energy and water.
The Queensland Solar Home Program is helping over 1,000 homeowners to
purchase and install solar energy systems. This program offered
homeowners the opportunity to take advantage of a considerably reducedprice achieved through a bulk purchase arrangement organised through theEnvironmental Protection Agency.
Public interest in this project was so intense that the program in South EastQueensland was significantly oversubscribed and a ballot process wasneeded to select participants. Even with the Commonwealth Government'sdecision to apply a means test to the rebate for the system, interest has notsubsided and many unsuccessful applicants are proceeding with the purchaseof systems outside of the program.
The Queensland Government's Solar Bonus Scheme is a program that pays
domestic and other small energy customers for the surplus electricity
generated from roof-top solar photovoltaic systems that is exported to theQueensland grid.
Over 750 inquiries have been received since March 2008 from
Queenslanders interested in grid connecting existing systems or inspired byrecent government support to go solar.
Over 250 customers throughout the State are now operating under the
Scheme, less than two months after commencement. Even more
encouraging is the news that over 570 applications are being processed from customers wishing to join the Scheme within the Energex system alone.
Obviously Queenslanders are embracing the use of alternative energy
sources and are keen to adopt solar technologies where these can be
provided at a reasonable cost.
The response of Queenslanders in reducing water consumption over recent years has been nothing short of miraculous. Queenslanders responded enthusiastically to the Queensland Government's Home WaterWise program which provided rebates for the installation of rainwater tanks and other water efficient technologies around the home. Over 500,000 applications have been received since July 2006, and over $277 million in rebates have been paid to Queensland families taking action to conserve precious water resources.
The public response to home advisory and information services also
demonstrates the commitment of Queensland families to reducing carbon
emissions and conserving resources. The Home EnergyWise Kit, launched recently by the Department of Mines and Energy, contains energy efficiency information and do-it-yourself auditing tools to help consumers identify energy use patterns in the home. It provides
advice to families on how to take positive steps to reduce their energy consumption and lower their energy bills.
Since the kit was launched on 22 July 2008 over 890 kits have been
distributed to householders across the State. Several thousand kits have also been distributed through libraries and local councils.
The ClimateSmart Home Service will commence in January 2009 and will
provide Queensland householders with additional support to reduce energy consumption. The service will provide energy efficient products, a household energy monitor and a home audit and advisory service to help Queenslanders to conserve energy around the home.
Already over 2,000 households have registered to participate in this program. The Queensland Government aims to provide ClimateSmart Home Services to 260,000 homes across the State over the next two years.
There is much evidence that Queensland families are embracing the task of addressing climate change and are keen to take action to reduce energy and water use. The Queensland Government will continue to provide them with the information and support that is required to achieve this important change. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 4:26 PM
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