The Victorian Government has released its 2022/23 Budget which includes $300 million for renewable energy and $112 million for water sustainability.
The Victorian Government has focused on reducing household utility bills, aiding the turn to renewables, and securing long-term water security.
In the Victorian Budget 2022/23, the Victorian Government aims to ease cost of living pressures, by helping Victorians get a better deal on their energy bills.
Notably, it has included a $250 million investment so Victorian households can apply for the new $250 Power Saving Bonus from 1 July 2022.
The new $250 payment will be open to all Victorian households who use the State Government’s Victorian Energy Compare website to search for a better deal on their electricity.
Households that have previously claimed a $50 or $250 Power Saving Bonus will still be eligible for this new one-off payment.
Since 2014, the Victorian Government has created thousands of jobs and brought more than 4,400MW of new clean energy online – 2,800MW more than the capacity of Hazelwood power station.
It has also invested more than $560 million in safeguarding biodiversity.
Energy
Victorians will enjoy supercharged solar savings, new green spaces and more renewable jobs as the Victorian Government works to drive down energy bills and emissions.
Victorian Minister for Energy, the Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said Victoria is leading the way – creating thousands of jobs, driving investment in renewables, cutting the cost of living for families and working to halve emissions by 2030.
“We’re slashing household energy bills and cementing Victoria as the renewable energy capital, boosting energy reliability, creating jobs and halving emissions by 2030,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“We’re creating green jobs and promoting Aboriginal self-determination and connection with Country as we regenerate Victoria’s rich biodiversity and create new green spaces for all to enjoy.”
Investments include:
- $42.2 million available for 64,000 Victorians to take up solar panel rebates and zero-interest loans, while continuing the current rebate value of $1,400 – making switching to solar more affordable than ever with a boost to Solar Homes
- Further funding for 1,700 new solar battery rebates of $2,950 – securing more solar savings for families.
- $9 million for critical energy affordability support services and one-on-one assistance for Victorians who need it most – as well as $1.2 million dedicated to driving down gas bills for businesses and households
- $10 million for microgrids in high-priority locations and $9.4 million to help recovery from storms, floods and fire – future-proofing the state against natural disasters, including communities’ access to energy
- $8 million will support training for electrical workers to give Victorians the skills for the renewable jobs they want
Water
As part of the Budget, the Victorian Government aims to secure long-term water supplies and protect jobs, farmers, families and communities that rely on them.
Victorian Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, said, “By investing in our water security, we’re investing in the future of our state – as well as the jobs, communities and industries that rely on it.
“As Victoria’s population grows and the climate gets warmer and drier, we need to use more recycled and storm water to irrigate places like local parklands, and help save more water for drinking.
“It’s an important part of our plan to keep water bills low for all Victorians.”
Investments include:
- $56.6 million for the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy – our 50-year water security plan – to support jobs, communities, industry and agriculture across the region
- $10 million for waterway and catchment health projects, improving the water supply to the Lower Latrobe wetlands, delivering a fishway at Maffra Weir and investigating ways to improve the health of the Moorabool River and upgrade the Werribee Diversion Weir
- $39 million for more recycled and stormwater projects, giving communities and businesses guaranteed water supply for green spaces such as local parklands, and preserving our drinking water supply
- $6 million to help protect our water sector from the harsh effects of climate change as part of the Water Cycle Adaptation Action Plan – this includes projects to increase stormwater and recycled water uptake and trialling new blue-green algae management approaches to prevent outbreaks
- $1.6 million to explore ways regional Victoria can unlock more benefits from the desalination plant, including investigating an expansion of the Melbourne-Geelong Pipeline, to ensure we continue to secure drinking water supplies, drought-proof our natural environment and support industry and agriculture
- $51.8 million for a long-term solution to mine-affected groundwater under Bendigo, with remediation works to support tourism at Central Deborah Gold Mine and protect the natural environment of Bendigo Creek
- $3.9 million to support the water aspirations of Aboriginal Victorians and develop leadership opportunities for Aboriginal Victorians on water sector boards
