A project to insulate more old homes in the Waitaki district and make them more energy efficient may not get off the ground in the coming year.
The Waitaki District Council was asked to contribute $10,000 towards the project, which is being facilitated by Energy-Smart Ltd, so 12 homes could be upgraded in the coming financial year.
But council strategy group manager Richard Mabon recommended the money not be included in the 2008-09 annual plan, and suggested the council discuss other potential sources of funding with EnergySmart instead.
EnergySmart's South Island project manager Kerry Shannon said in a submission to the council's annual plan the Healthy Homes scheme made homes warmer, healthier and better for the environment.
It helped people who were unable to make the improvements themselves.
Five homes in the Waitaki district had benefited so far, and more funding was needed to upgrade another 12 homes in the coming year.
The work would cost about $41,000, she said.
Mr Mabon said the council had declined in the past to fund the programme, believing it was not a council function.
He also suggested the council could review whether its own housing for the elderly units were energy efficient and well insulated.
The council will consider whether it should fund the programme on Tuesday, when it makes final decisions on its annual plan.
