Mayor’s Message - Friday 4 April 2025

With the cost-of-living front of mind for all Australians, here at a local level, Ballarat residents have the opportunity to participate in a new initiative from the City of Ballarat that could significantly reduce your home energy bills.

The recently launched Electrify Your Home initiative unites expertise and innovative programs to empower the Ballarat community to transition to more cost effective, cleaner living.  

The City of Ballarat has engaged Geelong Sustainability to run its highly successful Electric Homes Program, connecting you with trusted suppliers offering quality products and services to improve your home comfort and lower your energy bills.  

As an added benefit to the community, for every product purchased through the program, the delivery partners will donate a solar system, hot water heat pump, or home energy audit to a local, not-for-profit organisation.

Switching to an all-electric home can reduce the average running costs of a home by nearly $5000 per year – something to consider as we head towards the colder months.

An all-electric home also produces zero energy emissions, meaning every household that makes the switch will contribute to Ballarat’s target of reaching net zero emissions by 2030.

As a further incentive to make the switch, the City of Ballarat is offering rebates on a range of electrical upgrades and energy efficient products. We want to give our community every reason to get on board with this initiative and start saving, for yourself and for our planet.

The Electric Homes Program is open now until the end of June, and Ballarat residents can register their interest to receive more information about the products and services available.

Rebates are open now until the end of September, however as this is a pilot program, the allocation is limited. Anyone who has purchased and installed one of the items from the rebates list is encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.  

Information about the Electric Homes Program and the rebates can be accessed via the City of Ballarat website.

- Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves