The Andrews Labor Government today reinstated the Greener Government Buildings Program (GGB), which was scrapped under the former Coalition Government in 2013.
Funded through the recently issued Victorian Green Bonds, the program is hoped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000 tonnes each year and save up to $100 million in the longer-term by slashing the energy use of government buildings.
The Government will reboot the program with a $33 million investment in the next two years to save energy and reduce greenhouse emissions across a number of government buildings and infrastructure. This will include:
- Installing new lighting technologies and upgrading heating and cooling systems at Gordon TAFE in Geelong, and Peninsula Health facilities, including the Frankston Hospital
- Replacing all of Victoria’s freeway lighting with efficient and long lasting LED technology
- Installing solar power and highly-efficient LED lighting in hundreds of Victorian schools and regional healthcare facilities.
Following on from the Government’s recently announced Take 2 Pledge Program, these investments are estimated to result in the abatement of 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year – the equivalent to 5500 cars or 3600 households.
Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) CEO Luke Menzel Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Finance Minister Robin Scott’s decision to introduce a program to upgrade state-owned buildings and streetlights, saying the move is a “win-win-win”.
“It will improve public facilities, strengthen the state’s finances, save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create hundreds of skilled jobs,” Mr Menzel said.
“This decision has put Victoria back in the race to become Australia’s leader on energy efficiency. Last month we released our 2016/17 priorities for government action to improve Australia’s poor global performance on smart energy use. Our number one priority was reducing governments’ energy bills with best practice efficiency programs. We’re delighted that the Victorian Government is announcing this program just a month later.”
