Donna Jones
The Gympie and District Sustainability Alliance (GADSA) are hoping to help the Community Action Inc (CAI) reduce energy costs for those members of the community that can least afford their spiralling power bills.
“GADSA has always been concerned that the lower socio-economic portion of our community has missed out on the financial benefits of the renewable energy transition,” said spokesman for the group, Murray Keys.
“This has encouraged GADSA and CAI to develop this project on the two buildings owned by CAI.
“The project ticks many social and environmental boxes,” he said.
CAI provides community housing, support services and accommodation for young people, support services and accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, financial counselling and multicultural services.
GADSA advocates for and encourages the adoption of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Both groups recognise that energy use and cost is a major cause of inequity in the community, with lower socio-economic sectors unable to afford the benefits of adopting solar energy and normally also living in energy inefficient buildings.
Mr Keyes said CAI and GADSA have agreed to work together to improve the energy efficiency of the social housing in our region.
This could include:
* Insulating the buildings so less energy is needed to heat or cool the living space and to make this area more comfortable for the occupants,
* Replace inefficient hot water systems with modern, energy efficient systems such as solar or heat pump systems to reduce energy use,
* Installation of rooftop solar and battery storage systems to reduce grid sourced electricity and greenhouse gas emissions,
* Installation of roof space ventilation to remove hot air and humidity from ceiling spaces to help cool the building and minimise mould in the structure.
“The benefits of this program will flow across the community,” explained Mr Keyes.
“The energy bills for CAI will decline, freeing these resources to be used elsewhere in their programs.
“Housing residents who pay for their own energy will have reduced energy cost, allowing this to be spent in the community.
“Clients of CAI will be more comfortable and healthy in their homes.
“Local businesses will be used to implement the building upgrades.
“The reduced energy use overall will reduce the community’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change,” he said.
The initial stage of this plan is to commence work on the two buildings owned by CAI with the work to be undertaken in 2023-24 financial year.
Subsequently, buildings owned by others (170+) but managed by CAI will be upgraded following negotiations with the various building owners.
CAI and GADSA need to raise funds for the initial stage of this project, requiring an estimated $50,000.
CAI is a not-for-profit (PBI) community organisation based in Gympie with registered charity and deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.
Tax deductible donations to CAI can be made by accessing their website at communityactiongympie.com.au, or contacting CAI by Phone (07) 5482 8959 or email [email protected].
GADSA welcomes donations under the Containers for Change program for this project.
Donate your containers at any Recycle It depot using Member No. 11055810 and Name: GADSA.
The funds will automatically be deposited in the GADSA Community account and used to support this project.
Container collections from your home can be arranged at containersforchange.com.au/qld/container-collect.
These funds will all go towards this project.
Any surplus funds raised in this first stage of the project will be held by CAI for the subsequent stages.
“We look forward to our community supporting this socially and environmentally desirable project,” said Ruth Tidswell from CAI.