Victorian Government back in the race to be smart energy leader 22 August 2016
Energy experts have applauded the Victorian Government’s decision to spend $33 million to dramatically improve the quality of hospitals, schools and streetlights around Victoria.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Finance Minister Robin Scott announced today that the Victorian Government would spend $33 million over the next two years to improve energy efficiency around the state, including:
- Overhauling lighting and heating systems to make hospitals more comfortable for patients, including Frankston Hospital, Rosebud Hospital and The Mornington Centre.
- Upgrading 200 schools and Gordon TAFE to make them better places to learn.
- Installing LEDs to make freeway streetlights cleaner, smarter and safer.
“Australia’s energy efficiency experts applaud Dan Andrews and Robin Scott’s decision to introduce a program to upgrade state-owned buildings and streetlights,” said Luke Menzel, CEO of the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC), the peak body for energy efficiency experts.
“Dan Andrews’ decision is win-win-win – it will improve public facilities, strengthen the State’s finances, save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create hundreds of skilled jobs,” said Luke Menzel.
“This decision has put Victoria back in the race to become Australia’s leader on energy efficiency. Last month we released our 2016/17 priorities for government action to improve Australia's poor global performance on smart energy use. Our number one priority was reducing governments’ energy bills with best practice efficiency programs. We’re delighted that the Victorian Government is announcing this program just a month later,” said Luke Menzel.
Upgrading the energy efficiency of government facilities will:
- Improve the comfort and quality of hospitals, schools and other public buildings.
- Deliver a stronger Victorian Budget. If this program is extended after the first two years it will save the Victorian Government over $2 billion in energy and maintenance costs.
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions, cutting the Victorian Government’s emissions from buildings by at least 25 per cent.
- Create hundreds of skilled jobs in trades, engineering and energy efficiency products and services. The Government’s demand for services will help Victorian companies grow and export into the rapidly growing international market for energy efficient products and services, which is worth over $470 billion per annum.
With this announcement, Victoria joins the NSW and South Australian Governments, both of which have best practice government efficiency programs in place.
"The Energy Efficiency Council has been working to highlight the benefits of sensible government efficiency programs for years. With this announcement, it’s clear that momentum is growing: three out of five mainland states now have active programs in place."
"We're looking forward to working with the Australian Government, and governments in states like Queensland and Western Australia, to ensure they join leaders like Victoria and take action to upgrade public facilities, improve the budget bottom line and create skilled jobs."
Media contact
Rob Murray-Leach
Head of Policy
Energy Efficiency Council
M: 0414 065 556
E: rob.murray-leach@eec.org.au
The EEC's full suite of policy recommendations for promoting smart energy use across the Australian economy are set out in the Australian Energy Efficiency Policy Handbook