Melbourne’s 5x4 Hayes Lane Project, located less than a kilometre from the Central Business District in East Melbourne sends a powerful message about the future importance of solar energy.

The project, built on a narrow strip of land, with just a five metre x four metre footprint is an eco-driven design and is one of the first homes in Melbourne to generate, store and control its own power supply.

It’s innovative design across four levels (three above ground), highlights a sustainable living approach that is particularly well suited to inner city suburbs across our major cities, where smaller residential lots are in existence.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Electrical and Communications Association, Mr Suresh Manickam, has applauded the concept and called for a more innovative approach to residential housing solutions. 

“The 5x4 Hayes Lane Project delivers a concept for new residential living with an efficient use of land and energy. These types of projects provide a glimpse of the future and we encourage greater opportunities for solar and other renewable energy use in the residential construction sector,” Mr Manickam said.

“Homeowners across Australia are embracing solar energy as a way to reduce electricity costs. This increase in demand has followed the reduction in installation costs for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels.

“NECA believes that further opportunities exist to educate consumers about the importance of renewable energy and we know that consumers are keen to be seen as environmental citizens to make greater use of renewable products,” said Mr Manickam.

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Media enquiries and interviews

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications

E barry.jackson@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6904

M 0457 767 328

Notes for editors

1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
2. NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
3. We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 50,000 people Australia-wide.
4. NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
5. The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Technical, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
6. NECA wholly-owns its Legal firm, Group Training and the NECA Colleges (in WA) and EcoSmart Electricians – and has joint ventures with a superannuation company (NSW) and one of the national cabling registrars (ACRS).
7. NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000.
8. For further information go to www.neca.asn.au.