Green Loans

Free Home Sustainability Assessments 

The Green Loans program is an initiative from the Australian Federal Government designed to help Australian families identify ways in which they can "do their bit" to reduce green house gas emissions while saving energy at home.
The programs objective is to assist households to install improvements that will result in more efficient use of energy and water.

The first step is to have a Home Sustainability Assessment carried out which will identify opportunities for improvement while at the same time delivering home energy saving ideas. These assessments will be FREE of charge for the duration of this program.
By having a home sustainability assessment report completed by an accredited assessor you are then able to apply for an Australian Government "Green Loan". (The loan is optional, you are able to use this service for the free advice only).

A loan can be used to fund any of the actions recommended in the sustainability report designed to enhance energy and water efficiency. The loans can be for any amount up to $10,000 and will be interest FREE for the first four years. The loans are provided by a selection of credit unions.

Both home owners and tenants are eligible however your yearly income must be below $250,000.
The Australian Government has set a budget to fund 360,000 free home sustainability assessments and 75,000 Loans.

You are still able to take advantage of $1,600 solar hot water and insulation rebate even if you are funding improvements with a Green Loan.

Climate Action Newcastle (CAN) encourages you to make use of the expertise of the Home Sustainability Assessors listed below. You should be aware that CAN has not vetted or selected the assessors but has relied on the fact that these Assessors have all undertaken training in home sustainability and have been accredited by the Australian Government's appointed accrediting organisation - the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA). Additionally all the assessors are required to have Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance. 
You are encouraged to make your own enquiries directly with the Assessor to see if they are suitable for your situation.

List of Local Assessors by Council Area

Newcastle

Ian Wilcox
Assessor No. HO50302
Hamilton
Affiliations/skills: CAN's bulk solar PV coordinator, CAN committee member, Property Valuer.
Phone: (02) 40211019 Mobile: 0423561366
Email: HomeEnergySavingsAdvice@gmail.com
Website: www.energysavings.net.au

Cathy Stuart
Assessor No HO50972
Lambton
Affiliations/skills: Long term user of PV solar and water tanks
Phone: 49539422
Email: cathy.stuart@exemail.com.au  

Other Links Of Interest 

Government Green Loans http://www.environment.gov.au/greenloans/ 

Local Green Loans providers

Hunter United Credit Union -http://www.hunterunited.com.au/green-loans-go-free.html

Community First Credit Union http://www.communityfirst.com.au/default.asp?page=/loans/green+loans/interest+free+green+loans