FUNDING TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF NEW HOMES

The ACT Government today moved closer to honouring its election commitment to improve the energy and water efficiency of new developments with $190,000 committed over three years towards investigating the feasibility of introducing the Building Sustainability Index BASIX.

Planning Minister Simon Corbell said that BASIX, an interactive web based planning tool developed by the NSW Government, was designed to assess the performance of proposed new developments against a range of sustainability indicators and to ensure they meet environmental sustainability targets.

“This Government is committed to improving the environmental performance of new residential and commercial structures throughout our region,” he said.

“The sustainability of buildings will increasingly become a mandatory component of the development approval process and make a significant contribution toward reducing water and energy consumption in new buildings and improving their thermal comfort.

“The funding will progress further investigations of BASIX against other tools currently available to assess environmental performance and the social, economic and administrative impacts of the system.

“The next steps will also involve negotiating with the NSW Government about the adoption of the system within the ACT, and potential modifications to suit the ACT environment, anticipating that it will become a mandatory part of the planning process on 1 July 2006.  This timeframe will enable the BASIX system to be customised for the ACT and provide industry the opportunity for transitional arrangements.

The model is currently being introduced in NSW and includes resource saving targets for greenhouse gas emissions and potable water.  It will result in more energy and water efficient houses.

“Sustainability is integral to this Government’s vision for Canberra,” said Mr Corbell.

“We need to use our resources prudently through increased efficiency in their consumption, generating less waste, and making greater use of renewable resources.”

“It is intended that BASIX will be introduced into a regulatory environment that will ensure developments are carried out in accordance with resource saving targets.

“The introduction of BASIX in NSW alone has ensured a stable and growing market for products and services such as grey and rainwater systems, energy efficient hot water systems, performance glazing and water and energy efficient equipment and fixtures.

“The ACT has an opportunity to build on these early initiatives, and join NSW in leading the nation in sustainable planning outcomes for residential dwellings.

“This Government is committed to more sustainable forms of development and is working hard to ensure the Territory is progressing towards a more sustainable future – environmentally, socially and economically.”
Statement ends