Esther Stewart lives in a 1960s cream brick building of 12 apartments on Park St in Brunswick. For the last couple of years, she has been coordinating projects to improve it.
“We are doing upgrades that prolong the life of our building and also improve the amenity and environmental resilience,” she says.
Solar and electrification
After an electrical upgrade, Esther investigated installing a shared solar PV system.
“Merri-bek Council offers solar installation subsidies for low-income households in stand-alone homes. I asked if they could match that for strata buildings like ours,” she says.
Happily, the answer was yes. “It was so valuable because it showed that the Council was supportive,” says Esther.
Several apartment owners took up the subsidy offer. A 24.7-kilowatt solar system was installed. An Allume SolShare system distributes the electricity fairly between the apartments.
The system is saving the residents money. “Having solar means that you change your habits to get the most benefit,” Esther says. “You get better at using electricity during the day while the sun is out.”
The Owners’ Corporation Committee is now investigating options for efficient electric hot water. It is also encouraging apartment owners to remove individual gas appliances.
Increasing green space
The Committee is currently planning works to the external area. “The old terracotta stormwater and sewer pipes need urgent upgrading,” explains Esther. “We want to take the opportunity of these maintenance works to halve the amount of concrete on the site.”
Two car spaces will be moved to the back of the site, and the central concrete parking area turned into a courtyard garden. This will increase the green space and help with urban cooling.
Esther encourages other apartment owners to consider similar projects. “It’s been a really nice experience working through these projects with my strata community,” she says.
