Mark Vender
Expect new Australian homes to become more sustainable after an agreement at last week’s Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) to enhance energy efficiency provisions for residential buildings in the National Construction Code (NCC).
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has warmly welcomed the agreement.
“The homes built today will still be operating in 2050 – at a time when Australia will need to be at or near net zero emissions.” Says ASBEC Executive Director Suzanne Toumbourou.
“In setting minimum standards for all new buildings, improved energy efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code can help to ensure new homes are ready to plug into a net zero emissions economy.”
ASBEC has worked in partnership with ClimateWorks Australia to produce Built to Perform – An industry led pathway to a zero carbon ready building code, which identifies a cost-effective long term pathway for energy requirements in the NCC.
The report showed that stronger energy standards in the NCC could reduce household energy bills by up to $900 each year, contributing to up to $29 billion in reduced energy bills and 78 million tonnes of cumulative emissions savings across the economy by 2050.
“The decision by the Building Ministers’ Forum paves the way for energy bill savings, lower emissions and more comfortable and safe Australian homes,” says Toumbourou. “It’s a long time coming and a very welcome first step. As part of this process, it is important to set out a long-term pathway for energy requirements in the National Construction Code, providing a clear policy direction and certainty for industry.”
The Building Ministers’ Forum agreement to enhance energy efficiency for residential buildings was informed by the COAG Energy Council’s Trajectory for low energy buildings, which aligns closely with the Built to Perform report.
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) – which is responsible for developing the NCC – will shortly release a paper for public consultation on options for implementing these provisions.
In the meantime, to inform the COAG Energy Council’s Trajectory for low energy existing buildings, stakeholder, reference group workshops are being held during July and August 2019 in most capital cities.
There are currently two streams of work informing the Trajectory. One investigates policy options for improving energy efficiency in existing commercial buildings, the other investigates policy options for improving energy efficiency in existing residential buildings.
The session details are as follows (click links to register):
Adelaide: Residential buildings workshop – Wednesday, July 24, 10am–1pm.
Perth: Residential buildings workshop – Thursday, July 25, 9–11am.
Sydney: Residential buildings workshop – Tuesday, July 30, 10am–1pm.
Melbourne: Residential buildings workshop – Wednesday, July 31, 10am–1pm.
Hobart: Residential buildings workshop – Thursday, August 1, 10am–1pm.
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