The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the announcement that a re-elected Labor government would provide discount funding for households, small businesses and community facilities to install battery systems.
Labor has announced it will roll out a Cheaper Home Batteries Program, offering up to a 30 per cent discount on installed costs – around $4,000 on a typical battery.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said helping households electrify is a no-brainer.
“For households and businesses that already have solar systems, being able to install a battery will cut emissions, reduce peak loads across the grid and, most importantly, lower power bills,” Mr Zorbas said.
“Electrification is the fastest and cheapest way to decarbonise our built environment.
“Electrifying Australia’s homes and businesses requires steady investment and policy settings to help Australians to upgrade their homes.
“Beyond this, we need a broader plan to ‘renovate Australia’, with priority support for low-income and vulnerable households.
“Helping households and businesses to save money on their bills should include efficiency measures like draught proofing, insulation and upgrading low-efficiency appliances to efficient, electric and grid-interactive versions,” he said.
According to modelling from the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, electrifying Australia’s built environment could deliver $49 billion in energy savings and 199 million tonnes in avoided emissions between 2024 and 2050 compared to business as usual.
The Property Council’s pro-cities, pro-investment election platform calls for parties to reduce energy bills forever with a long-term strategy for quality retrofits of existing residential and commercial buildings, including a household energy upgrades program that incentivises meaningful energy efficiency initiatives and electrification of household appliances.
