THE problem of airconditioning lacking in public housing is not new, but it’s getting worse.
And more dangerous.
Research has shown the effects of climate change over the past 30 years have led to higher temperatures in Sunraysia and, just as alarmingly, more frequent and longer heatwaves.
The number of nights in Mildura where the overnight temperature was more than 20 degrees has increased from 30 in 1998-99 to 55 in 2018-19. Twenty degrees is considered to be the common maximum temperature conducive to restorative sleep and relief from heat.
This need for airconditioning in public housing has never been more urgent. This is a matter of public health and human rights.
Last week I raised the issue in Victorian Parliament to urge change in policies that would allow for airconditioning in all public housing in the north-west.
This would mean changing electricity subsidy policies to a place-based structure. It would take some work, but it’s by no means impossible for a government with the right political will.
This issue also gives the government an opportunity to investigate the design, insulation and construction materials used when building new public housing.
As a member of the Victorian Government’s industrial hemp taskforce, I have been looking at proposals to establish and expand processing facilities – hopefully in the Mallee – for hemp materials such as hempcrete.
Hempcrete is a highly effective insulator and could form an important part of construction of eco-friendly public housing.
Growing hemp would also give irrigators in our region a new commodity with economic and environmental benefits, including less need for water.
I told parliament last week that leaving public housing tenants to fend for themselves with an essential utility like airconditioning in the era of climate change is a dereliction of the state’s duty.
It is inhumane and it must change.
I will continue to work with tenants and service providers in my electorate on this issue as well as lobbying Minister for Planning and Housing Richard Wynne so he clearly understands just how urgent this issue is.
Ali Cupper is the Member for Mildura
