People who build energy-efficient homes on Government subdivisions will be given a $2,000 rebate under the Government's energy conservation policy released today.
The rebates were among a range of measures announced by Premier Carmen Lawrence today to help working people and families to reduce their energy bills.
"These initiatives confirm the Government's determination to help people save money on their energy bills and improve their standard of living," Dr Lawrence said.
"At the same time, these programs will encourage conservation and the development of environmentally-sound solutions to some of our energy needs.
"Energy is central to our quality of life and the Government will ensure that Western Australians can enjoy the benefits of our wealth of resources in the future.
"The $2,000 rebate will act as an incentive for better house orientation, design and fit-out."
Under the policy, Western Australian mining and manufacturing industries will receive $3.5 million to help them identify ways to save energy and help provide the equipment which would achieve those savings.
To put more emphasis on renewable energy while promoting conservation, the Government will:
· help people on low incomes with a $1 million program to provide individual advice and help on saving energy at home to reduce their power bills;
· extend the wind-power program following the success of the Esperance scheme;
· build a hydro-electric power station at the Ord diversion dam, reducing SECWA's operating costs in the region by saving 11 million litres of fuel oil annually;
· encourage electricity produced privately from non-polluting, renewable resources by offering a 10 per cent premium on the tariff;
· establish a home energy rating scheme for all new houses, requiring designers and builders to give buyers the information they need to make informed choices about the cost of supplying energy to their new home;
· commit $2.5 million to help the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation to establish a centre for the assessment of solar energy to service South-East Asia; and -
· build a solar power generating facility on the fringe of SECWA's grid to verify that photo-voltaic cells can supply electricity economically and reliably.
As well, the Government will introduce appliance-labelling legislation to ensure that commonly used appliances such as fridges and washing machines were rated and labelled for their energy efficiency.
Under the Government's industrial energy efficiency program, SECWA will provide one-third of the cost of energy audits (up to $5000) of industries and business.
Dr Lawrence said the benefits of these measures would flow through the economy.
