RESIDENTS from Springwood and surrounding suburbs have called on Energy Minister local MP Mick de Brenni to deliver a clean energy plan which supports renters, social housing tenants and people living in apartments.
Representing Queensland Community Alliance and Solar Citizens, they said those in apartments should be able to access rooftop solar.
They spoke at a forum in Springwood earlier this month, at which Mr de Brenni outlined government plans and policy as it develops a 10-year energy plan.
“Solar energy straight from your rooftop is the cheapest source of energy possible,” Solar Citizens deputy director Stephanie Gray said.
In a statement, Solar Citizens said Mr de Brenni “acknowledged the growing sentiment in the community for the need to address climate change and more renewable energy to Queensland’s grid”.
“People know that our planet is facing a huge problem. They know that it’s largely caused by the emissions, much of which is from our energy system,” the statement quoted Mr de Brenni as saying.
“I was out this morning with some volunteers from my team knocking on doors in Shailer Park. Universally, every single door that I knocked on, people said to me, ‘yeah we gotta do something about emissions,’ and ‘yep we want the government to do more on renewable energy’.
“We do need to be ambitious in our approach. We have to take real action on powering our future. The good thing is that this is also the greatest economic and jobs opportunity that we have had in our State’s history.”
Logan East Community Centre executive manager Amelia Salmon said people were struggling to pay energy bills.
“Those who are renting and in social or public housing, their level of income really reflects how much they have to pay,” she said.
“The middle class have benefitted from access to solar, rebates and the like, they have more access to clean, cheap power.
“But other families and people are being left behind. It’s not just about getting a roof over your head, but paying for all the costs along with it. This needs to be considered as part of the energy plan. We need to see the system become more equitable and sustainable.”
