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Northe Secures Rebate Win For Fire-Affected ResidentsPeople who lost their homes in the 2009 bushfires now have access to the Regional Solar Hot Water rebate program, the Nationals Member for Morwell, Russell Northe said today. By Russell Northe - 8th October 2009 - Back to News People who lost their homes in the 2009 bushfires now have access to the Regional Solar Hot Water rebate program, the Nationals Member for Morwell, Russell Northe said today.
Speaking in Parliament back in July, Mr Northe called on the Premier to extend existing government rebate programs to allow those rebuilding after the fires to benefit from the initiatives.
"Residents who lost their homes in the Boolarra and Black Saturday fires were unable to access the schemes as guidelines stipulated that rebates were only for existing households," Mr Northe explained.
"I believed opening the programs up to fire-affected residents would be a simple yet effective way the government could demonstrate its support and sought changes to the eligibility criteria to make this possible.
"I am pleased the Brumby Government took up the suggestion and welcome news the Regional Solar Hot Water rebate program has now been extended to afford access to communities rebuilding post the fires," Mr Northe said.
Mr Northe said residents who received a Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Destroyed Homes payment were eligible for a rebate to install a gas-boosted solar hot water unit in their home. People who lost their home in the 2009 bushfires but did not receive the destroyed home payment would be considered on a needs basis and should contact their case manager for assistance.
Further information on the Regional Solar Hot Water rebate scheme is available at www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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