The ACT has revealed a ten-year plan to make Canberran homes more resilient, sustainable and cost effective.
The Sustainable Buildings Pathway is expected to support the creation of homes that are more resilient to the environment, saving Canberrans money on their energy bills, reducing waste, lowering water usage, improving air quality, reducing the use of toxic materials and lowering home maintenance costs.
ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, Rebecca Vassarotti, said that the pathway will help Canberra’s building and construction sector transition towards best practice that leads to more sustainable and climate ready buildings for the territory.
“As a born Canberran, I’ve often heard of the plight of Canberra homes. Too cold in winter, they say, and far too hot in summer,” Minister Vassarotti said.
“That’s why earlier this year, I was proud to implement seven-star energy efficient buildings for all of Canberra, but there’s more to we can do to deliver cost-effectiveness and better comfort.
“This plan will set in motion a building system made for Canberrans by Canberrans so that homes built here are ready to adapt to our climate.
“Today’s announcement of a ten-year roadmap to achieving net-zero emissions in buildings offers a vision that will significantly improve the lives of many Canberrans for the better, reducing energy usage by up to 70 per cent and saving massive costs on electricity bills.
“Emissions from materials used in construction, such as steel and cement, are expected to become the largest source of carbon emissions in the building sector in the coming decades. The actions set out in this pathway will also help achieve the ACT’s goal of net zero emissions by 2045.”
The key actions over the life of the pathway are:
- Working towards net zero new residential buildings, through increases to the minimum energy performance standards
- Addressing embodied carbon through a national approach to measuring and disclosing embodied carbon and moving to set minimum standards for new ACT commercial buildings
- Requiring the development of building manuals for new and existing buildings to document maintenance and plan for electrification
- The development of Ministerial guidelines for the use of sustainable materials for buildings under the Building Act 2004
“Transitioning our building sector to be more sustainable is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for the industry to showcase their innovation.
“I encourage the local industry and the community to look at the strategies outlined in the pathway so we can work together to make smarter and more sustainable building and renovation choices.
“The ACT Government will continue to advocate for national buildings policies that lead to greater sustainability, innovation, and improve quality of life outcomes for a cleaner and climate-friendly future.”
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council Executive Director, Alison Scotland, said that she is thrilled to see the ACT Government’s leadership in championing greener, healthier, and more sustainable buildings for the benefit of the community.
“At the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, we’re eager to collaborate with the ACT Government to foster an integrated approach and set a pioneering policy direction for the rest of the country to follow,” Ms Scotland said.
Green Building Council of Australia CEO, Davina Rooney, said that the Sustainable Buildings Pathway builds on the impressive sustainability leadership in the ACT.
“It showcases how the ACT Government, industry and community can accelerate the delivery of sustainable, climate-ready buildings,” Ms Rooney said.
“This pathway is a model for tackling the challenges of sustainable building and seizing the opportunities. We commend the ACT Government’s vision and look forward to working together to scale up sustainable building over the next decade.”
Light House ArchiScience Managing Director and Lead Scientist, Jenny Edwards, said that sustainable housing does not have to be big, high tech or expensive.
“A science-based approach to home design and construction can deliver fabulous, affordable and efficient homes. Homes that are climate resilient, low carbon and comfortable,” Ms Edwards said.
“We encourage people to demand sustainable buildings from designers, builders and developers. Everybody should live in a healthy home with low energy bills.”
Image: Jandrie Lombard/shutterstock.com
