Amber Bridgman, of Green Island, had her ceiling and hot water cylinder insulated through the Healthy Homes-Whare Mahana project, similar to programmes expected to be used for the $243.7 million in extra funding announced for insulation in the Budget yesterday.
The funding boost for insulation and heating, on top of $79.6 million already administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), has been applauded in Dunedin, and potential partners - electricity companies, the Dunedin City Council and banks, iwi and health boards - have been urged to partner the Government in the initiative.
The Government says the funding of up to $1800 would see up to 60,500 homes insulated a year by 2012-13.
Minister of Energy and Resources Gerry Brownlee said yesterday the campaign, which would start on July 1 for homes built before 2000, would reduce health risks from living in cold houses and promote energy efficiency.
"This scheme is intended to play an important role in stimulating the economy.
It will generate jobs for New Zealanders involved in producing and installing insulation and clean heating."
Cr Paul Hudson said the funding would provide ongoing employment for people doing the work through the council's Healthy Homes-Whare Mahana scheme.
The council would have to consider what its involvement would be in future.
Otago Presbyterian Support chief executive Gillian Bremner said she was delighted with the proposal, as there was "an awful lot of old, cold housing stock in Dunedin".
She urged potential funding partners to get behind the idea.
