Letter to Fed Minister for Enviroment Re: Insulation Rebate

[Admin]

Please find attached the letter sent to The Minister for the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in regards to the Home Owner Insulation Programme.

21 May 2009

Dear Minister,

RE: The Home Owner Insulation Programme.

The Tropical Green Building Network is based in Cairns and exists to identify, develop and action projects that will have a measurable impact on the uptake of sustainable building practices in Far North Queensland.

We are promoting the Home Owner Insulation Programme in this region. The Early Installation Guideline Version 1.1 details product and installation requirements. The appropriate information including Australian Standards (AS/NZS 4200.2:1994) supporting Reflective Insulation products is not included. We request that the programme has a definitive and clear inclusion of reflective insulations.

Many low cost homes in the tropics in great need of roof insulation have very low pitch roofs and the roof cavity is difficult to access. Installation may require lifting roof sheeting. In this instance, it may be cost effective to place a reflective insulation product under the roof sheeting. The guidelines stipulate that the retrofit of the insulation is above the ceiling. We request that the programme includes the installation of insulation to the underside of the roof sheeting in Zone 1.

We hope that this information has been of assistance and look forward to its inclusion in the guideline thereby promoting sensible and sustainable outcomes that support healthy living in the tropics.

Yours sincerely,



Emma Thirkell
Network Facilitator.

For more information about the network please see http://www.greenbuild.com.au/forum/ or
phone 07 40531274

Cc Hon. Jim Turnour, Federal Member for Leichhardt