NSW Homeowners could have a payday coming if either of the major parties in the upcoming state elections holds good to the current barrage of pre-election promises.
This week, incumbent Premier Morris Iemma has made promises to almost double the rainwater tank rebate (taking it from $800 to $1500), to introduce a rebate of up to $1200 for solar hot water systems, and to appoint a minister for climate change if re-elected next month.
Mr Iemma also announced that people can receive up to $300 to covert from an electric to a gas hot water system and up to $300 to install energy-efficient home insulation.
But NSW voters are also concerned about the State's economy, and want something done about it, research showed this week.
Commissioned by the Property Council of Australia, the UMR Research survey of 600 randomly selected residents found that seven out of ten voters want the NSW Government to kick-start the state's economy by stimulating housing construction.
The results confirmed that voters believe state government action is needed to address a worsening housing market, with most favouring the removal of stamp duty on new dwellings as the solution.
Recent research by BIS Shrapnel shows abolishing stamp duty on new dwellings would help stimulate the construction of an additional 6,000 dwellings annually and help alleviate a future 58,000 dwelling shortfall.
Without intervention, record low levels of construction activity are expected, resulting in massive rent and price hikes in coming years.
NSW executive director Ken Morrison said the UMR Research survey proved that voters clearly don't want a state government that sits on the sidelines.
"Voters believe the state should act to stimulate the economy in this way," Mr Morrison said.
"51 per cent of voters surveyed would feel more favourably towards the party which is prepared to get off the sidelines and remove stamp duty on new dwellings," he added.
