The rates issue in Canberra is a funny one. So many people complaining about their rates increasing while stamp duty decreases. Economists lauded the idea and it is very rational, but then people will all of a sudden it affects them. In fact, the Canberra Liberals had a policy of halting the rates increases, which would also mean retaining stamp duty, an incredibly inefficient tax. Of course, as a first home buyer, none of this affected me, especially when our stamp duty bill was $20, so I made the gf pay it!
Anyway, bigchrisb, I'm looking forward to when I own a place in the next year or two and researching solar/battery setups. Have you ever explained your setup on this forum or anything? I'd really like to know more about it (what it consists of, cost, energy output, how many people, etc).