Remote social housing to get $10m efficient electric heating and cooling

Social housing residents in the Northern Territory will benefit from a $10 million government aid package focused on tackling cooling and heating efficiency through the installation of electric reverse cycle air conditioners.

The federal and Northern Territory governments will each commit $5 million as part of a package for energy and water efficient equipment in remote social housing.

With many social housing properties across Australia ranking as among the least energy efficient homes in the country due to poor thermal performance and often lacking modern appliances, cost of living expenses for residents can skyrocket during the coldest and hottest parts of the year.

This is particularly the case in the Northern Territory, where tropical heat in the north and extreme cold in desert areas in central and southern locations combine with areas of water scarcity to create one of the most diverse climates in the country.

“Heat already kills more people than any other natural disaster including floods, fire, and cyclones,” explained Josh Wilson, the newly minted federal assistant minister for climate change and energy.

“Efficient air conditioners can be the difference between a comfortable summer and heat stress.

“This $10 million Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative will make a real difference to the thermal comfort of homes in Central Australia.”

For this reason, the Australian and Northern Territory governments will roll out efficient reverse cycle air conditioners to more than 600 households in remote social housing in a bid to keep their homes cooler during the warm months and warmer during the cold nights.

Upgrades will initially prioritise remote water-stressed communities in the Central Australia and Barkly region and is expected to commence in the towns of Yuedumu and Yuelamu over the coming months.

“Northern Territory remote communities experience some of the most extreme and diverse climates, with a wet and dry season in the Top End across to Arnhem, and arid weather in the Barkly and Central regions,” said Selena Uibo, NT minister for remote housing and homelands.

“The Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative partnership will mean tenants in remote communities have less costly bills and much needed heat relief in the many warm months across the Territory.

“Our Territory Labor Government has matched the federal funding of $5 million, because heat relief is significant for improving the livelihoods and wellbeing of Territorians.”