Cash to cut costs

SPRINGVALE’S Community Aid and Advice Bureau (SCAAB) has $2.3 million to help families cut their energy bills.
Isaacs MP Mark Deyfus and Bruce MP Alan Griffin announced the Federal Government cash on Friday 5 July, as well as $1.5 million for City of Greater Dandenong’s Light Up Dandenong project.
SCAAB is receiving its funds through the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) and will help culturally and linguistically diverse families reduce their household energy bills.
Light Up Dandenong will convert more than 6800 street lights to more energy efficient alternatives and raise awareness about how families can save money through energy efficiency.
The council will match the funds and progressively replace 80-watt mercury vapour lamps with either twin 14-watt T5 lamps, or 32-watt compact fluorescent lamps – reducing energy usage by 68 per cent and 62 per cent respectively.
Greater Dandenong mayor Angela Long said the program would reduce energy use, electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
“The community will benefit from the project when funds currently tied up in energy costs become available following the 3.5 to four-year payback period,” she said.