Utilities (gas, water, electricity, refuse) in Melbourne
When searching for accommodation, expats should be sure to consider the added cost of utilities in Melbourne. Australian housing, including that in Victoria, is some of the world’s most energy inefficient, and there is often an increased need for electricity, gas and water.
The cute wooden houses, found in Melbourne’s older suburbs, are some of the worst offenders: cold in winter and hot in summer. Modern houses are not much better; many of them are lit only by heat-generating halogen ceiling lights.
Furthermore, Australian builders continue to use single-glazed windows that don't offer the same standard of insulation as the double- and triple-glazed examples found in Europe.
Now that Australia has deregulated the utility industry there are more service providers for expats to choose from, but the added competition has not seemed to benefit the consumer in terms of cost or service quality.
Gas is at present cheaper than electricity. Gas central heating, run through radiators, is called hydronic heating in Australia. It is not standard as it is in the UK and older houses do not have it. For a sophisticated city, many older Melbourne houses seem to have primitive heating systems.
Australians refer to garbage and refuse as rubbish. There is a weekly collection in most suburban areas of household waste and a fortnightly collection for recycling, in a colour-coded bin, the collection of which alternates with garden waste. Some councils offer what is known as a hard waste collection, where households are allowed one collection per year to put out larger items, excluding any hazardous waste. Contact the local authority for details.
The cute wooden houses, found in Melbourne’s older suburbs, are some of the worst offenders: cold in winter and hot in summer. Modern houses are not much better; many of them are lit only by heat-generating halogen ceiling lights.Furthermore, Australian builders continue to use single-glazed windows that don't offer the same standard of insulation as the double- and triple-glazed examples found in Europe.
Now that Australia has deregulated the utility industry there are more service providers for expats to choose from, but the added competition has not seemed to benefit the consumer in terms of cost or service quality.
Electricity in Melbourne
In the face of a dwindling electricity supply and a growing demand, electricity tariffs were raised by 10 percent in July 2011, and will likely be raised further in July 2012.
The increase will result in higher household utility bills, and expats can expat to pay an average of around 1270 AUD per year to keep the lights on at home; those with larger homes and bigger families will need to bank on budgeting much more, while those who live in modest apartments with few appliances can anticipate spending a bit less.
Sadly, there are no bargains to be had with any of the electricity suppliers. Some discounting is available if you are able to take advantage of off-peak rates and use the same supplier for your gas supply.
Expats should do what locals do and be wary of energy-guzzling appliances such as air-conditioners and tumble-dryers, using them only when really needed. Flat screen televisions also use a lot of electricity, and should be turned off and unplugged from the wall, rather than left on stand-by.
The hikes have left residents outraged, but no amount of griping seems to be changing government’s future plans.
Gas in Melbourne
Gas is at present cheaper than electricity. Gas central heating, run through radiators, is called hydronic heating in Australia. It is not standard as it is in the UK and older houses do not have it. For a sophisticated city, many older Melbourne houses seem to have primitive heating systems.
Water in Melbourne
Water, or rather the lack of it, is a big social and political issue in Melbourne.
Victoria, like many parts of Australia has been in the grip of a 10-year drought. In 2010 it rained and rivers and lakes began to flow in places where farms and agricultural businesses had long been abandoned due to the drought.
Still, extensive water restrictions are in place and expats shouldn’t expect this policy to change after one good year. Lawns still cannot be watered with drinking water and as a result, many garden-loving residents put in their own water tank to collect rain-water. Local councils have different rules relating to the filling of swimming pools.
As was the case with electricity, in July 2011 government passed policy that increased charges associated with water use in order to ensure that Melbourne has enough water for the future; thus expats can anticipate adding an additional 200 AUD to their yearly utility bill.
Rubbish in Melbourne
Australians refer to garbage and refuse as rubbish. There is a weekly collection in most suburban areas of household waste and a fortnightly collection for recycling, in a colour-coded bin, the collection of which alternates with garden waste. Some councils offer what is known as a hard waste collection, where households are allowed one collection per year to put out larger items, excluding any hazardous waste. Contact the local authority for details.
