The City of Sydney is set to be Australia’s first council to mandate energy efficiency and renewable targets for development applications.
Council unanimously endorsed the measure on 22 August, which will require applications for new office buildings, hotels, shopping centres, and major redevelopments to comply with minimum energy standards.
The rules will be introduced from January 2023 and promises to save investors more than $1.3 billion in energy costs for the years spanning 2023-2040.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said the standards were created with support from developers, investors, industry bodies, consultants and government agencies.
“Commercial office space, hotels and apartment buildings contribute 68 per cent of total emissions in the City. If we’re to meet our target of net-zero emissions by 2035, we need the building sector to play its part,” Mayor Moore said.
“These new controls, four years in the making, require developers to reduce emissions through increased energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy production and offsite renewable energy procurement.
“They are ambitious but achievable and provide a clear pathway for developers to improve energy performance and transition to net zero buildings.
“Working with our major developers and building owners to address the climate crisis could not be more important.
“Not only will this program help us reach our target of net-zero emissions by 2035, it will provide energy savings of more than $1.3 billion for investors, businesses and occupants across Greater Sydney.”
Final amendments were made to the proposal after the City of Sydney reviewed feedback during the public exhibition in late 2021.
The amendments provide more clarity for developers in the structure and operation of the controls, particularly for projects involving the refurbishment of existing buildings.
The amendments also make it easier for existing buildings to demonstrate how they are moving towards net-zero emissions.
