Sustainability Rebates Program

Round 2 opens 12 November 2024 

In 2024/25 Council’s Small Environmental Project Fund (SEPF) is providing rebates to eligible households in the Shellharbour Local Government Area for the installation of sustainable products as part of round 2 of the Sustainability Rebates Program. 

The aim of the program is to support the community to move towards electrification and energy efficient appliances powered by solar energy, to achieve our goal of net zero community emissions by 2050. 

The following rebates are now available to eligible residents. Please note funds are limited and payment is not guaranteed. Applications will be subject to an approval process and availability of grant funding. Full details of the 2024/25 rebates amounts and eligibility criteria can be found here. 

To find out about how you can make a start on your electrification journey today take a look at these handy tips and tricks.

 

Rooftop Solar

Rebate: 5% up to $250

Overview:  

Currently over 10,800 homes in the Shellharbour local government area (LGA) have installed solar. 

We recommend using the Australian Government’s Solar Consumer Guide prior to contacting an installer to estimate your system size, cost and how much it will save you. In most cases, you can add solar panels to your home as exempt development, which means you don’t need approval from Council. Check the NSW Planning Portal for more information. 

We recommend sourcing at least two quotes from an approved retailer or installer. To find out more, and for advice on selecting a solar retailer and installer, visit the Clean Energy Council. Eligible rooftop solar systems may also receive the Federal Government's Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) rebate which is arranged for you by your installer. Ask your installer for more information on the STC scheme for your system.  

Eligibility criteria: 

  • Only available to homeowners and landlords of properties in the Shellharbour LGA for rooftop solar installed from the 1 January 2024 until 30 June 2025.  
  • Must be installed by a licensed tradesperson and meet all necessary installation standards. 
  • If the sustainable product was installed to comply with BASIX, the product must exceed the minimum standards for Development Application compliance. 
  • Each applicant property may only receive one rebate in the 2024/25 round of the Sustainability Rebates Program, subject to availability. 

See Council’s Sustainability Rebates Program Guidelines for full terms and conditions.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Rebate: 5% up to $250

Overview: 

Hot water systems account for approximately 25% of household energy use (Your Home, 2020).  Rewiring Australia suggests that of the alternatives available, electric heat pump water heaters are easily the most energy efficient option, consuming only approximately 23% of the annual energy required by gas hot water and conventional electric resistant models.  

Eligible electric heat pumps can receive both a Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) and Energy Saving Certificate (ESC) rebate which is arranged for you by your installer. Council recommends sourcing at least two quotes. 

Eligibility criteria: 

  • Only available for residential heat pump hot water installations in the Shellharbour from the 1 January 2024 until 30 June 2025. 
  • Must be installed by a licensed tradesperson and meet all necessary installation standards. 
  • Excludes swimming pool heat pumps. 
  • If the sustainable product was installed to comply with BASIX, the product must exceed the minimum standards for Development Application compliance. 
  • Each applicant property may only receive one rebate in the 2024/25 round of the Sustainability Rebates Program, subject to availability. 

See Council’s Sustainability Rebates Program Guidelines for full terms and conditions. 

Induction Cooktops

Rebate: 5% up to $125 

Overview: 

Home appliances account for approximately 25% of household energy use (Your Home, 2020). Rewiring Australia suggests that of the alternatives available, electric induction cooktops are the most energy efficient option, consuming only 40% of the annual energy required by gas hot water and conventional electric resistant models. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

  • Only available for residential induction cooktop installations in Shellharbour LGA from the 1 January 2024 until 30 June 2025.  
  • Must be installed by a licensed tradesperson and meet all necessary installation standards. 
  • If the sustainable product was installed to comply with BASIX, the product must exceed the minimum standards for Development Application compliance. 
  • Each applicant property may only receive one rebate in the 2024/25 round of the Sustainability Rebates Program, subject to availability. 

See Council’s Sustainability Rebates Program Guidelines for full terms and conditions. 

Electric Vehicle Chargers

Rebate: 5% up to $125 

Overview: 

The Electric Vehicle Council reported a 120% increase in electric vehicle (EV) car sales between January and June 2023. Charge your electric vehicle at home or future proof your property with the installation of an EV charger. 

If charged by home solar during the day, EV chargers enable the storage of excess solar generated, just like a battery. We recommend sourcing at least two quotes. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

  • Only available for residential EV charger installations in the Shellharbour LGA from the 1 January 2024 until 30 June 2025. 
  • Must be installed by a licensed tradesperson and meet all necessary installation standards. 
  • If the sustainable product was installed to comply with BASIX, the product must exceed the minimum standards for Development Application compliance. 
  • Each applicant property may only receive one rebate in the 2024/25 round of the Sustainability Rebates Program, subject to availability. 

See Council’s Sustainability Rebates Program Guidelines for full terms and conditions. 

Home Battery

Rebate: 5% up to $250 

Overview: 

Peak energy consumption in the average NSW household largely occurs outside the hours of solar generation. By installing a home battery you can store and use electricity generated when you need it. It has been estimated that by2025 a typical household will recoup their investment in just under 7.5 years, well within the average battery’s 10-year lifespan (AEMC, 2023). 

Shellharbour residents can use the SunSPOT tool prior to contacting an installer to estimate your battery needs. The New Energy Tech Consumer Code’s Guide to Installing Batteries also provides tips to help you make informed decisions when buying and owning a battery system. We recommend sourcing at least two quotes. 

Eligible home batteries can also receive a Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) rebate which is arranged for you by your installer. From November 2024 an additional incentive will be available under the NSW Government’s Peak Demand Reduction Scheme. Ask your installer for more information on available rebates and incentives.  

Eligibility Criteria: 

  • Only available for residential solar battery installations in the Shellharbour LGA installed from the 1 January 2024 until 30 June 2025.  
  • Must be installed by a licensed tradesperson and meet all necessary installation standards. 
  • If the sustainable product was installed to comply with BASIX, the product must exceed the minimum standards for Development Application compliance. 
  • Each applicant property may only receive one rebate in the 2024/25 round of the Sustainability Rebates Program, subject to availability. 

See Council’s Sustainability Rebates Program Guidelines for full terms and conditions. 

Small Environmental Projects Fund

Since 2000/01, Council’s SEPF has provided financial assistance to a variety of local community groups, schools and childcare centres to deliver sustainability projects and environmental education. 

In 2023/24 the SEPF funded 60 rebates totalling approximately $25,000 as part of round 1 of the Sustainability Rebates Program. 

In recent years the SEPF has provided funding to local schools to participate in the Solar my School Program. As a result of their participation Oak Flats Public School and Lake Illawarra South Public School installed 29 kW and 34 KW systems respectively in 2022/23, achieving a combined saving of 78 tonnes of CO2-e per year.

For more information about the Small Environmental Projects Fund please contact Council's Environment Team on 4221 6111 or email sustainabilityrebates@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au

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Solar my School

As part of the 2022/23 round of the Small Environmental Projects Fund, Oak Flats Public School was selected to participate in the Solar my School program.
Last updated : Tue 19 Nov 2024