Local Government in Victoria has thrown its support behind a Statewide grassroots move to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Plumbers are working with the Australian Greenhouse Office to provide Victorians with the most efficient heating and cooling appliances.
Under the initiative, 13 Local Government bodies have agreed to promote the ‘Green Plumber’ project to their ratepayers.
The Councils involved are City of Port Phillip, Melbourne City, City of Darebin, Manningham City, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey, Frankston City, Macedon Ranges Shire, Brimbank City, City of Monash, City of Moonee Valley, City of Warrnambool and City of Boroondara.
The pilot project provides for workshops for the local plumbing industry to be held in the municipalities.
Local Government representatives have welcomed their involvement in the project.
They have also undertaken to set up ‘Green Plumber’ registers for use by ratepayers.
Meanwhile, Victorian AFL star – and former plumber – Kevin Sheedy, has accepted the new challenge to turn the State’s plumbers green.
The former Richmond great and veteran Essendon coach is fronting the ‘Green Plumber’ initiative organised by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia through the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO).
The Association has been granted $100,000 for a pilot program as part of the first round of the Household Greenhouse Action Grants program.
Five hundred of the State’s finest plumbers will be trained in how to advise their customers about the most energy efficient heating and cooling appliances and hot water products.
“Kevin’s involvement has really boosted the level of support in Victoria where he does appear to be reasonably well known,” smiled the Master Plumbers’ director of training services, Vin Ebejer – an avid North Melbourne supporter.
Kevin Sheedy has a rare honour. Three years ago he was made an honorary member of the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association.
He is only the second person to be so honoured. The other recipient was a former State Governor of Victoria.
Along with RMIT, manufacturers have agreed to provide and assist with the training requirements of the program. The ‘Green Plumber’ is being backed by some of Australia biggest manufacturers of heating and cooling and hot water products, including Robert Bosch Australia, Southcorp Water Heaters Australia (Rheem), Rinnai, ILEC Appliances (Vulcan), AGL and Seeley International (Braemar).
The project had also received the blessing of the Office of Gas Safety in Victoria and the Plumbing Industry Commission, Victoria.
“We’re all working to set up the training program which we expect to have ready by the end of May and have it running in June,” Vin Ebejer said.
“The pilot project will run until March 2002 when we will talk again to the Australian Greenhouse Office about extending the program Australia wide.”
The project could go beyond Australia’s shores.
“The World Plumbing Council is looking at putting the project on the agenda for its next meeting later this year with a view to extending it to the industry world wide,” Vin Ebejer said.
The ‘Green Plumber’ initiative has a massive potential for helping to cut power use and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In Victoria there are one million domestic natural gas and LPG hot water systems, of which 10 percent are replaced annually, and 1.4 million natural gas and LPG heating and cooling appliances, of which 4.25 percent are replaced annually.
“Our plumbers are rallying behind the cause,” Vin Ebejer said.
“We see our trade – being able to give the best advice to consumers – as being linked in the most fundamental way to Australian Greenhouse Office programs to help the environment.
“I have been in the industry for 16 years and apart from our GST education program this is the most meaningful project our industry has ever sought to undertake.
“The Australian Greenhouse Office initiative has given us the opportunity to play a small part in solving a world wide problem.
“Ours is a real grassroots response and we are already starting to gain community support and interest.
“Let’s hope Kevin Sheedy hasn’t forgotten how to go back on the tools,” the North Melbourne supporter added with a smile.
For further information contact Karen Graham at AGO, on (02) 6274 28732.
Emissions Reduction Incentive Program
The Emissions Reduction Incentive Program (ERIP) is a module developed by the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO). The ERIP module makes funds available to assist Local Government implement projects that achieve significant, sustained greenhouse gas reductions beyond their core activities.
Councils that have achieved Milestone 3 of the Cities for Climate ProtectionTM (CCPTM) program are eligible to apply. CCPTM Australia is an international trade marked program of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) delivered in Australia in collaboration with the AGO.
The first round of ERIP closed on 16 February 2001 and the response was outstanding. Of the 28 Councils eligible for Round 1, 21 applications involving 24 councils were received. Applications are currently being assessed.
Further information on the ERIP program can be obtained from the AGO website at www.greenhouse.gov.au/lgmodules/erip or contact Steve Oster from the AGO’s Community Partnerships team on (02) 6274 1909 or email lgmodules@greenhouse.gov.au.
The AGO website also contains links to the guidelines and application forms for the latest round of ERIP. These guidelines may be subject to change in any subsequent round.
Check the AGO website www.greenhouse.gov.au regularly to see if a new round has been opened. The decision to open subsequent rounds will be determined following evaluation of the current round.
