Warm dry homes, not motorway binge

The Greens are calling on the Government to bring back the billion dollar Green Homes Fund as part of their economic package, being discussed at today’s Cabinet meeting.

“This fund, secured by the Green Party in negotiations over the Emissions Trading Scheme, could form part of a common sense, sustainable economic package”, says Dr Russel Norman, Green Co-Leader.

“We can create decent jobs for Kiwis, while making our homes warmer, dryer and much more energy efficient.

“Retrofitting housing with insulation and other measures would provide jobs to out of work builders, it would reduce the cost of sickness on the public health system, it would reduce households’ energy bills, and it would reduce greenhouse emissions. This is a win-win-win-win common sense approach.

“The real tragedy would be if the new Government simply throws our money at more motorway building – forever leaving our country dependant on volatile international oil prices, a high carbon-economy, and creating more pollution.

“The new Government must not be lulled into a false sense of security over petrol prices. The International Energy Agency has clearly indicated that international oil prices will rise again, so now is not the time to go on a road building binge like the last Government. We need public transport, cycle ways, rail freight not more motorways.

“There is a real opportunity, if only the Government is prepared to seize it – we can prepare for the future through common sense sustainable infrastructure, or be left in the past.”