CoAG 6 Star agreement vital to sustainable housing
01/May/2009
Dennis D’Arcy, ICANZ CEO today welcomed CoAG’s agreement to move Australia towards improved energy efficiency standards and requirements for both commercial and residential buildings.
“The improvements are vital if Australia is to realise the economic, social and environmental benefits of sustainable building standards,” Mr D’Arcy said.
The CoAG agreement will see the introduction of 6 star ratings for new residential housing and strengthened energy efficiency standards for commercial buildings during the next two years. It includes reforming current building energy efficiency standards and assessment processes to achieve consistency across the nation.
Mr D’Arcy said, “The mandatory disclosure of building energy efficiency and other sustainability measures outlined in the agreement, will improve the thermal performance of our residential and commercial buildings and provide a market mechanism by which buyers can make informed decisions about a building’s running costs and environmental performance.
“Importantly for builders and home buyers, 6 star standards are also an economical and sustainable option that will deliver energy and greenhouse savings and bring Australia closer to international standards for the thermal performance of residential buildings,” Mr D’Arcy said.
“With sensible design, 6 star can be achieved easily by applying simple inexpensive measures such as improved insulation and draft proofing. For home homeowners and occupiers the benefits are substantial reductions in their energy use and costs.”
He said, “New homes built now, will leave a lasting climate change legacy that in all likelihood will last the life of the building, 70 years, and serve three or four generations of home owners.
“The measures outlined in the CoAG agreement are significant and ICANZ congratulates CoAG members for acting on their respective government’s commitments to address climate change and burgeoning energy use in this county,” Mr D'Arcy said.
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Media inquiries: Glenn Schaube - GRS Communications 0439 320 151
