[Dallas McConnell]

Hi Learned friends!

Another good one for a Monday.

Has anyone investigated council funding solar works for ratepayers and then recouping the monies via the rates?

Regards,
Dallas

[Suzi Flynn]

Hi Dallas,
This can be facilitated through an Environmental Upgrade Agreement but it does not involve council funding it.
I have experience in EUA’s if you need further info.
Suzi

[Robert Hay]

Hi Dallas

Environmental Upgrade Agreements only allow for non-residential dwellings and only for residential strata schemes of more than 20 lots. The Act is pretty specific in what you can charge ratepayers.

I do know that Ku-ring-gai offers a Solar rebate which was paid after purchase towards invoiced material and installations costs. Rebates were subject to availability of funds and must be pre-approved. Rebates were not given to works required for either BASIX or development application compliance.

https://www.netzero.krg.nsw.gov.au/Take-action/Browse-by-topic/Energy-use/Get-energy-smart

54F Buildings that can be subject of environmental upgrade agreement of the LGA 1993.

(1) An environmental upgrade agreement must relate to an existing building (that is, a building that is complete and ready for lawful use and occupation at the time the agreement is entered into).
(2) The building must be a non-residential building or a strata building that is the subject of a multi-residence scheme.
(3) A non-residential building is a building used wholly or predominantly for commercial, industrial or other non-residential purposes.
(4) A multi-residence scheme is a strata scheme comprising more than 20 lots (disregarding utility lots and lots used for parking).
(5) The building must be located in the council’s area at the time that the agreement is entered into.

Robert

[Cherie Muir]

Hey Dallas
Randwick did something small scale a good few years ago however not directly tied to individual property rates. The link to rating was an Environmental Program (of spending) entirely funded via an Environmental special rate. Part of that program of spend provided some monetary benefit/incentive to dwellings taking up solar (I’m sketchy on details). The Revenue Team looked after the special rate – not the program of spend tied to that special rate (and there were many elements of environmental spending).
Like other councils, Randwick looked at the mechanism of Environmental Upgrade Agreements at that time and chose not to go down that path.
If you wanted to talk to them, I’d chase up the Environmental Team at Randwick. They ran the incentive/program. I seem to recall that it was small scale (tokenistic even).

[Dallas McConnell]

Thanks Team!

Appreciate the feedback, have circulated it internally.

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