GOVERNMENT REGIONAL OFFICERS HOUSING. Hot Water Systems Policy. October 2009

Transcription

1 GOVERNMENT REGIONAL OFFICERS HOUSING Hot Water Systems Policy October 2009

2 Policy Number of the Department of Housing of Western Australia Reproduction of this work in whole or part within the Department and on condition that it not be offered for sale, is permitted by the Department of Housing of Western Australia. Further information please contact: Title : Government Regional Officers Housing Coordinator Policy and Projects Address : Department of Housing and Works 99 Plain Street EAST PERTH 6004 Telephone (08) Facsimile (08) Danielle.Faulkner@housing.wa.gov.au Website: 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT SCOPE RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND REFERENCES DOCUMENT CONTROL DOCUMENT REVIEW FULL DOCUMENT HISTORY DEFINITION OF TERMS (GLOSSARY) HOT WATER SYSTEMS NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE STATE REIMBURSEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL COST OF GAS FOR HOT WATER SYSTEMS

4 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 OVERVIEW In 1988, Government decided that solar hot water systems were to be installed in all new GROH [GEHA] housing north of the 26 th parallel and remote areas. In addition, where a replacement hot water system was necessary in these areas, solar hot water systems would be provided. GROH will continue to install gas hot water systems in housing located south of the 26 th parallel. 1.2 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT This document is written with the aim of providing clear policies and procedures for Department of Housing officers to ensure effective management and consistent implementation of the Hot Water Systems Policy. 1.3 SCOPE This document is written for use by Department of Housing officers and occupants. 1.4 RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND REFERENCES Government Employees Housing Act 1964 Residential Tenancies Act 1987 Department of Consumer & Employment Projection Circular relating to Gas Hot Water Systems 1.5 DOCUMENT CONTROL This document is published on the GROH Internet site at GROH Policies 4

5 Responsibility for the document lies with the Director, Government Regional Officers Housing. 1.6 DOCUMENT REVIEW This document may be amended from time to time (see 1.7 Document History). 1.7 FULL DOCUMENT HISTORY ISSUE DATE REASON POLICY AUTHOR OFFICERS TITLE DATE LOADED ON Internet 1 September 2001 Policy reformatted Andrew Smith Policy and Projects Officer 2 August 2005 Policy updated to reflect changes in GEHA s contact details Lisbet Schäfers Projects and Policy Officer 3 August 2006 Policy amended to reflect the change to the Government Employees Housing Authority by the Machinery of Government (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2006 Lisbet Schäfers Projects and Policy Officer 4 July 2008 Contact details updated. DOCEP circular details updated. Emily Tyrrell-Clark Policy and Research Officer 5 October 2009 Policy Reformatted Danielle Faulkner Coordinator Policy and Projects October DEFINITION OF TERMS (Glossary) TERM / ACRONYM MEANING DOCEP Department of Consumer and Employment Protection GROH Government Regional Officers Housing 5

6 2. HOT WATER SYSTEMS NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE STATE POLICY : North of the 26 parallel and the Sub-Northern Area GROH installs solar hot water systems to all new housing in these areas. GROH replaces unserviceable hot water systems with solar units in Authority-owned accommodation in these areas. South of the 26º parallel GROH installs gas hot water heaters to Authority-owned accommodation south of the 26º parallel. PRACTICES / PROCEDURES 2.1 The installation of solar hot water systems to new housing located north of the 26 parallel and in the Sub-Northern area is outlined in GROH s design specifications for these areas. 2.2 The hot water systems installed in new housing located south of 26 parallel is outlined in GROH s design specification for this area. 2.3 Unserviceable hot water systems in these areas will be replaced with the same systems installed in new housing. 2.4 Maintenance of these systems is set out in the GROH Maintenance Policy. 3. REIMBURSEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL COST OF GAS FOR HOT WATER SYSTEMS POLICY : North of the 26 parallel Occupants of GROH housing equipped with gas hot water systems are eligible for a reimbursement from their employing agency, as set out in the DOCEP Circular (No 7 of 2008), relating to Gas Hot Water Systems Areas North of 26 Degrees South Latitude. PRACTICES / PROCEDURES 3.1 Tenants will be reimbursed for gas usage where it is proved such usage involves provision of hot water (Circular to Departments and Authorities No. 7 of 2008). 3.2 Payment of the reimbursement is the responsibility of the employing agency. 3.3 The subsidy period is set out in the DOCEP Circular. 6

7 POLICY : The employing agency is responsible for reimbursement of costs of having to purchase gas for use in the gas hot water system, as set out in the DOCEP Circular (No 7 of 2008). PRACTICES / PROCEDURES 3.4 The payment is to reimburse employees for the additional cost of having to purchase gas for use in the operation of gas hot water systems that is not incurred by tenants of houses where solar hot water units are installed. 3.5 This is not an entitlement for a subsidy to all tenants of houses with gas hot water systems. Reimbursement is to be based on the individual usage in excess of 1.25 of a 45 Kg bottle used in a subsidy period. 3.6 Updates to the DOCEP Circular can be located on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection web site at -> Labour Relations -> Public Sector -> Resources -> Circulars to departments and authorities 7