Free Meters A Smart Move for Ratepayers
05 July, 2008
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Innovative Smart Meters, which measure household electricity consumption, will be available to Brisbane ratepayers absolutely free of charge.
And in another carbon-reducing initiative, ratepayers will also be eligible to a $400 rebate if they convert their hot water systems to solar power, or buy new solar hot water systems.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman had previously offered the Smart Meters to Brisbane households at cost price, with ratepayers responsible for funding their connection.
However the State Government last week weighed in with a superior offer for households to have a Smart Meter fitted for just $50 – eclipsing Cr Newman’s offer.
The Lord Mayor today announced a plan to give ratepayers the best of both worlds – a Brisbane City Council subsidy of $50 to meet the gap in the State Government offer.
“We will provide a $50 cash back rebate to any Brisbane ratepayer who signs up to the State Government’s Climate Smart scheme,” Cr Newman said.
“This will make the State Government deal absolutely free for the ratepayers of Brisbane who will make huge cost savings in reducing their energy.
The Lord Mayor said ratepayers would have to supply a receipt from the State Government and their rates notice to be eligible for the rebate.
In addition to the $50 rebate, they would also a receive a GreenHeart CitySmart logo to proudly display their commitment to the program.
The Lord Mayor also urged Brisbane households to take advantage of his $400 rebate to replace or convert old hot water systems to solar energy.
This initiative would be capped to 1500 households.
“Inefficient electrical hot water systems are one of the great energy wasters around the home. A great way of saving that energy and money is to use one of our greatest natural assets – the Queensland sun,” Cr Newman said.
“This $400 rebate will not be means tested, so we will be doing the right thing by every ratepayer who does the right thing by the environment.”