Housing SA

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. Can the minister inform the house of what programs are being undertaken to 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) (14:44): I thank the member for this question. In late October, I provided the house with information about the state government's commitment to replacing approximately 1,000 LPG gas and electric hot water systems with solar hot water heaters on Housing SA properties across the state.

Previous studies show that hot water accounts for 30 per cent of the total energy used in public housing dwellings. The installation of solar hot water heaters will undoubtedly have a positive effect on tenants through reductions in power bills and an ongoing positive effect on their cost of living. I am advised that a project plan was developed which prioritised tenants living in suitable properties according to the following criteria:

Properties currently using LPG are the first priority.

Properties with electric hot water services installed prior to 2010 are the second priority category.

Properties with four or more bedrooms currently using a natural gas hot water service installed prior to 2010 are the third highest priority.

Three-bedroom properties with gas hot water services with a high number of residents are the next priority.

As at the end of March 2015, letters regarding the program had been sent to 394 tenants in Murray Bridge, Port Pirie, Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, Ceduna, Berri and a range of metropolitan locations. The remaining letters will be sent to tenants in remote, regional and metropolitan locations by the end of June 2015. I am advised that this will include letters to 31 tenants in the Aboriginal communities of Raukkan and Point Pearce.

Prior to arranging the installation of the solar hot water systems, an inspection is completed for Housing SA. To date, Housing SA confirm outcomes for 139 inspections:

Two solar hot water services have been installed at Murray Bridge and Mannum.

Installation orders have been raised for a further 14 systems.

111 installations are expected to be completed by the end of June.

12 properties have been identified as unsuitable.

Housing SA anticipate that an additional 250 inspection orders will be raised by the end of June 2015 and the remaining inspections and installations will be completed by 31 December 2015. These steps towards reducing the cost of living for low-income South Australians are yet another example of this Labor government honouring its election commitments.