TAKEN FROM ABS MEDIA RELEASE (23/06/2010): High income households in Victoria tend to have more environmentally sustainable sources of energy and water then lower income households, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Victorian households earning $110,000 or more per year were more likely to have insulation, solar energy and rain water tanks than households with income below $25,000 per year.

Choice magazine in collaboration with the Alternative Technology Association have released a study examining the various payback periods for the installation of a 1.5kW solar system in each Australian State.

Just a quick announcement to say that Green Professionals has reached 100 members accross Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.

The team is very excited about this milestone as it gives us substantial credibility and bargaining power. We look forward to the next 100 members, and hope we can enlist these befoore the end of 2010.

The cost and provision of energy has been a vigorously debated issue in Australia throughout recent years. Australia has the unique challenge of providing power to remote locations across a vast stretch of land. These geographical concerns are coupled with the fact that electricity demand is set to increase by almost 50% between now and 2030 ⁽¹⁾.  Since the federal Government announced plans to introduce a CPRS there has been increasing concern from consumer groups about the associated price rises that could accompany the scheme. However, with the CPRS showing no signs of getting off the ground, consumer advocates are questioning why energy prices have already experienced notable increases. 

A number of our members have raised concerns in regard to the payment of Green Loans invoices by the government within the promised 30 days of raising. The following article in todays Age newspaper examines this issue, and states:

Despite assurances that extra staff would ensure deadlines were met, an industry survey this month found 93 per cent of assessors were waiting more than the promised month to be paid. A third said it took more than two months; nearly one in 10 more than three months.

Green Loan Scheme Puts Assessors in the Red The Age 16th April 2010