Page 1052 - Week 04 - Thursday, 22 April 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
for around 22 per cent of ACT emissions and will need to be eliminated by 2045 to reach our zero emissions goals.
$855,000 in funding has been allocated for analysis to help determine the best path for the ACT to follow to achieve this aim. This will include detailed assessment of the capacities of the electricity and gas grids, the potential for fuel switching, the role of hydrogen and biogas, the role of distributed energy and batteries, and the integration of electric vehicles into the grid, among others. This will help to ensure that the ACT is well informed as it develops its gas transition plan, as agreed by 2024 as part of the climate change strategy.
As we reach our milestones, we need to ensure that all parts of the community are able to participate in this journey and that we support those in the community who need it. $50 million is provided to support vulnerable households to upgrade the efficiency of their properties and invest in energy-saving new energy technologies. This includes public housing, poorly performing rental properties and low-income owner-occupiers.
This measure will support the introduction of minimum energy performance requirements for rental properties, which we expect to introduce later this year, to commence in 2023. Assisting those most vulnerable in society does not just save energy and emissions; it allows people to live more comfortable and dignified lives, as every Canberran deserves.
In a 2020 survey of renters, more than 40 per cent said they were unable to keep their homes comfortably warm in winter. This is a travesty. This can lead to poor health, employment and education outcomes. This is not just a part of our climate change response; it is our duty to those who are struggling. That is why something like minimum performance standards for rental properties is such an important initiative.
The last measure that I will discuss specifically is the $5 million for upgrades to community clubs to make them more sustainable. I spoke briefly about this yesterday. By investing in more efficient energy technologies, these important community hubs will be able to provide even more services to the community while reducing operating costs and cutting their emissions and/or their energy use. This will help to improve their long-term financial viability, and it is an important part of creating a sustainable future for clubs. Through these upgrades, we also have an opportunity to ensure that these clubs are appropriate places to provide community shelter when there are fires, heatwaves or potentially other community hazards.
There are a number of other measures supporting our climate change response in this budget. There has already been discussion of the $150 million sustainable household loan scheme, and the $100 million Canberra Big Battery. I know that the Chief Minister will speak enthusiastically about those.
All of these new measures join a range of steps that the government has already taken as part of the climate change strategy, both to reduce emissions and to prepare for the changes to our climate that are inevitable. The government will continue to find the steps needed to achieve our 2045 zero emissions target, including those in this budget.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video