Tenants in Mission Australia Housing’s Mount Druitt complex will soon experience significant relief on their energy bills, thanks to a new partnership with Great Southern Bank.

The initiative, part of a $1 million, three-year partnership, aims to make energy more affordable for vulnerable Australians through energy efficiency upgrades in community housing complexes.

The latest project under this initiative involves a shared rooftop solar system installed at Mission Australia’s 40-unit social housing complex in Mount Druitt. The system is designed to distribute energy based on individual demand, maximising efficiency and reducing costs for residents.

Mission Australia Housing Strategic Asset Manager Mitchell Dawson shared the benefits tenants are already seeing from this partnership: “Installing the solar panels will make it more affordable for tenants to cool their apartments this summer.” Dawson pointed to positive results from a recent solar upgrade at a Forster, NSW complex, where tenants are projected to save an average of $500 annually on utility costs.

This partnership is part of Great Southern Bank’s broader commitment to sustainability. Mat Patterson, Head of Branches and Broker at Great Southern Bank, underscored the bank’s investment in climate action, saying, “Over the past 12 months, we’ve made significant progress in becoming a more environmentally responsible bank.” The bank recently expanded its eco-friendly initiatives, launching a green home loan that provides customers with a discounted rate.

Beyond solar installations, Great Southern Bank will fund various energy upgrades, including insulation, window glazing, LED lighting and energy-efficient water metres across Mission Australia Housing properties.

For residents like Claudette, a Mount Druitt tenant, the savings offer real, tangible relief. “You’ve got to worry about your rent, your food, your bills, and if you’ve got anything left, you’re lucky,” she said. With energy costs reduced, she hopes to afford holiday gifts for her children and grandchildren this year.

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