ECT announces major investment in warmer homes for the Eastland region

The Eastland Community Trust (ECT) and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) will combine forces to bring an additional $5 million worth of funding to insulate Gisborne and Tairawhiti homes over the next two years.

In a deal announced at the trust’s AGM yesterday - the ECT will contribute $2 million with EECA funding the remaining $3 million through the Government’s insulation programme Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart. This project for Gisborne and Tairawhiti residents continues to build on the previous project started eight years ago with the Council.

Trust chairman Richard Brooking said the ‘Warm Up Eastland’ initiative was a true example of a project that benefitted the region in a number of different ways.

“Warmer houses are a key contributor to healthier people, meaning more productivity, less money spent on heating and overall better general wellbeing,” he said. “Improving insulation in old houses has been shown to have a significant impact on the health of the occupant,” he said.

“Our research has shown us that 55% of homes in the region are designated as potentially having low incomes, it is assumed that low income homes will include a high number of people who need healthcare. And that low income families are unlikely to live in homes built after the year 2000”.

EECA Chief Executive Mike Underhill congratulated the Eastland Community Trust for their commitment to the project. “We know that there are around 750,000 homes in New Zealand still without proper insulation.  By working with funding partners across the country we can reach even more people, and often they are the people who will benefit the most for the improvements.”

This project will target those low income homes first by offering a subsidy for ceiling and underfloor insulation to community service card holders.

While we are looking at community service card holders first, we will be reviewing the programme early in 2012 and, depending on uptake, contractor capacity and funding, look to expand the programme to include non-community service card holders as well. 

ECT general manager Leighton Evans said the contracts for service delivery had been given to two companies – Smart Energy Solutions for the city side of the Waimata River including all rural areas, and Home&Dry will service the area east of the Waimata River including Kaiti, Wainui and the East Coast.

“We went with two different providers to maximise on their existing relationships and to ensure quick efficient service in each area. Another advantage is that they can back each other up if need be.

“The trust is pleased to be associated with this deal and that the service providers are working closely with entities like Te Runanga o Ngati Porou and Turanga Health to ensure both areas are well serviced and have clear objectives,” said Mr Evans.

“A study has shown that by spending $1800 on insulation a household will spend $165 less in doctor’s fees per annum, will take less days off school, will reduce their power bill by up to $786 a year and will have less days off work.  It is estimated that an $1800 insulation project in a house will conservatively save that household up to $2857 every year.”

This programme is different from before because the service providers will be looking at wider home health issues and working with the supporting entities in each area to ensure home safety and maintenance is good and if not, source funding to help pay for repairs.

The service providers will also bring in outside trainers and supervisors initially but both have indicated they will train and employ local people.  They have indicated an intent to pick up staff from the previous service agent as this funding means the programme is increasing in size not decreasing. 

The new project kicks off next week and householders should contact their provider as per the map below.