As temperature extremes and energy prices continue to increase year by year Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) is even more convinced that a solution to the problem of energy-inefficient housing can and must be found and that is why MASG is currently involved in pioneering Victoria’s first renter/ landlord sharing of retrofit costs. 

The exciting pilot program uses a long-term load to be paid back through regular additions to council rates and will see 10 low-income houses in the region retrofitted resulting in energy ratings increasing from 2 stars to 9. 

MASG is working alongside the owners of the houses, Common Equity Housing Limited, Mount Alexander Shire Council, and the Sustainable Australia Fund (SAF), and with the assistance of a $50,00 grant from the Lord Mayors Charitable Fund, the project is well underway and renters are already reaping the benefits with work expected to reach completion by the end of the year. 

Lisa Walsh who has been residing in her current property for the past two years told the Express that she is really excited to be a part of the scheme. 

“It’s huge. They’ve taken out all the gas appliances and replaced them with a split system and heat pump, and started plugging up all the holes. They haven’t even finished and I’m already noticing a huge difference,” commented Lisa. 

“The insulation under the floor has made a massive difference. The oven will get replaced next, which is exciting. I was spending about $800 on gas in winter before so this is going to help me save so much each year. 

“With the cost of bills going up this is going to make a massive difference to me.” 

With around 10,000 houses in the Mount Alexander Shire, most built before 2005 when energy efficiency standards first came in, houses are too cold in winter, too hot in summer, and too expensive to run. The pilot program is the next step in MASG’s goal to establish a local retrofitting service, with no upfront costs and work being paid off through energy savings. 

For those able to pay the retrofit cost upfront MASG estimates a cost of $22,500 for brick veneer houses and $24,300 for weatherboards, with a full return on the investment over 11 years and for householders unable to pay upfront MASG estimates it will take 20 years to pay the loan through a supplement to council rates through the Victorian Environmental Upgrade Scheme, however COVID and rising costs may impact these estimates. 

For more information on Mount Alexander Sustainability Group visit: masg.org.au/.