Council expects late rush

Funding has been provided to boost the warmth and insulation of more than 500 Dunedin homes under a Dunedin City Council targeted rates scheme.

And a late rush of applicants is expected before the trial programme ends on April 30.

Dunedin homeowners and landlords had already spent more than $1.5 million, excluding GST, to install insulation and heating under the DCC's Warm Dunedin targeted rate programme since it began in February last year, organisers said.

The scheme aims to increase household warmth, health and comfort by providing a rates advance to help with the upfront costs of insulation and/or heating.

It was estimated that by the end of this month, between $1.8 million and $2.1 million, excluding GST, would have been spent through the scheme.

The programme had helped insulate and/or install a heater in 514 homes by the end of February this year, Warm Dunedin co-ordinator Nathan Keen said.

Uptake had slowed over the summer and he expected ''a late rush of applications'' as people took advantage of the scheme.

The process of arranging quotations, choosing preferred options and applying for the scheme could take some time, so it was recommended that service providers were contacted by at least mid-month to ensure the DCC received the application in time, he said.

Ratepayers who meet the criteria can apply for up to $5000 for insulation and/or heating, which is paid off over 10 years.

- john.gibb@odt.co.nz

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