Housing SA

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (17:43): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. What initiatives or programs are being undertaken to help reduce energy costs for Housing SA tenants?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (17:43): I thank the member for Florey for this important question. Housing SA properties are allocated to customers based on their demonstrated needs and are prioritised to those people and families who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness. These are people who are particularly vulnerable to cost of living pressures. The state government is aware of this and is committed to improving the lives of our most disadvantaged citizens.

Previous studies have shown that hot water accounts for 40 per cent of the total energy use in public housing dwellings. Further to this, the replacement of electric hot water systems with solar hot water systems has been found to reduce total household electricity use by approximately 30 per cent and, in turn, also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately two tonnes per annum.

With a view to extending the benefits of lower utility costs to people living in social housing, the state government has committed to replacing 1,000 LPG gas and electric hot water systems on larger family homes with solar hot water systems. Housing SA has already consulted with its contracted hot water system supplier and has confirmed its ability to supply 1,000 solar hot water gas or electric-boosted systems. This will assist tenants to reduce their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions and, importantly, will provide a means of reducing cost of living. Housing SA has already commenced work by identifying properties suitable for the solar hot water systems and has developed a project plan to arrange for the installation of the units through its multitrade contractors.

The aim of the project plan is to prioritise tenants currently using LPG bottled gas hot water services first, followed by tenants in properties with electric hot water systems which were installed prior to 2010. I am advised that tenants in the identified properties will be able to register their interest to participate in the program. This project was a commitment made by the state government during the 2014 election campaign and I am delighted to stand before members today to confirm that work is well underway.