Published: September 01, 2008 - 02:26 PM
New green building regulations embraced in Victoria
By Amanda Edmonds
According to the Sunday Age stricter environmental building regulations making new houses greener are welcomed by Victorians currently building a new home, or who have recently built. A Victorian government commissioned report, accessed via freedom of information laws, has found that the tougher Victorian laws which require an upgrade in the home energy rating system from five to seven stars, are “attainable in the medium term” and would be well received by the community.
The current system is being reviewed by the Victorian parliament, which already promotes environmentally friendly processes by making either solar hot water system or a rainwater tank compulsory for new homes.
Victoria’s system has led the way in Australia, but still lags behind standards set by other developed countries.
A climate like Melbourne’s is already expected to have the average standard mandated minimum of 7.5 stars.
However, the Victorian government is moving towards green energy, promoting more energy efficient building materials and reduced flow rates for shower heads and taps, whilst enforcing restrictions on water pressure and usage.
While building associations are against more stars, claiming they will reduce housing affordability, the report, one of seven regarding climate change, challenges this argument.
The study by Wallis Consulting Group, had a diverse sample, with home builders from the inner city and the new suburbs surveyed, as well as those who designed their own house or bought “off the plan.” The participants were informed that six stars, requiring better insulation and orientation of the house on the block to make it more efficient, would add an extra 1-2% onto the building cost, but could reduce demand for heating and cooling by 24%.
The seven stars level, requiring greatly improved insulation, with no unprotected windows facing east or west, and eaves on windows, was less popular. It increases the building costs by 2-6%, while reducing demand for heating and cooling by as much as 45%.
Despite this hesitation, the survey has revealed that Victoria, particularly Melbourne, is willing to embrace new laws regarding home construction, despite the increased upfront costs.
These survey results come on the back of increasing urgency to take action regarding climate change. While the Victorian State government is embracing green energy, the report has found that the public had a "very poor and confused" understanding of it.
ShopAround.com.au is here to help Victorian households reduce their electricity and gas costs and can assist Victorians wishing to reduce their carbon footprint. Householders can visit ShopAround.com.au to learn about green energy and how both gas and electricity bills can be reduced. ShopAround.com.au can also show how switching to green power benefits not only you hip pocket but the environment as well and offers green electricity plans and prices from its participating Victorian power companies.
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