Climate change presents real challenges for Western Australia’s water supply, economy and environment.

A Federal Labor Government will offer Western Australian households low interest rate loans of up to $10,000 to help make existing homes greener and more energy and water efficient.

The community has the will to take action, and Labor’s green renovation loans will make it easier to do the right thing.

Some of the items West Australians will be able to purchase under this plan include:

• Solar panels; 


• Rainwater tanks; 


• Roof insulation; 


• Solar hot water heaters; 


• High-efficiency gas hot water heaters replacing electric storage systems; 


• Awnings; and 


• Grey water recycling systems and energy efficient lighting.

Federal Labor’s Solar, Green Energy and Water Renovations Plan for Australian Households is a practical way for West Australian families to make a real difference.

This is part of Federal Labor’s comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent on 2000 levels by 2050.

The Solar, Green Energy and Water Renovations Plan for Australian Households will save families money on their energy and water bills.

Labor’s plan will make it easier and more cost effective for Western Australian families to refit their homes through:

• Low interest rate loans of up to $10,000 to 200,000 Australian households, with household income of up to $250,000; 


• Government-accredited environmental audits to identify how Australians can cost-effectively reduce their energy and water use in their homes; 


• A free “Green Renovations” pack including tips for green living, energy efficient light globes, a shower timer and water efficient shower head; 


• An option for families that prefer to borrow through their financial institutions to generate carbon offset credits through the voluntary carbon trading market; 


• Helping households save up to $800 a year on their energy and water bills; and 


• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15 million tonnes over the scheme’s lifetime. This is equivalent to taking around 4 million cars off the road for a year, or planting more than 15 million trees.

The low interest rate program will begin in January 2009 and is expected to support 200,000 households over the period till 2012-13 and will be reviewed based on take-up.

Federal Labor understands that governments, families and individuals can be partners in reducing household greenhouse gas emissions and taking pressure off our stressed water systems.