Current at: 02 June 2009
HIA’s peak policy body, the National Policy Congress, has called on the Australian Government to halt further energy efficiency regulation of new dwellings, beyond 6-star ratings.
HIA is supportive of moving towards a reduced level of carbon emissions, but new policies should be based on robust evidence. It must provide an implementation road map that allows industry adequate time to transition to a lower carbon footprint.
A road map should be based on an assessment of the impact of energy efficiency regulation on methods of construction, building design, labour skill requirements, product innovation and competitiveness in the building and manufacturing sectors of the industry.
In the past six years, energy efficiency controls on new dwellings have moved from about 3-star to 4-star, to 5-star and soon to 6-star. To date, there has been no assessment of the success of these regulations or any sense of their economic and business impacts.
There are more than 200 programs, measures and initiatives across Australia to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. In the interests of greater government efficiency, it is essential that all of these efforts are rationalised.
HIA has been at pains to emphasise the importance of the existing dwelling stock in improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. About 85 per cent of the total dwelling stock that will be standing by 2020 has already been built. None of these homes will be subject to the same environmental efficiency regulations.
Homeowner behaviour can make a real difference. It is up to a household to control the use of lights, washing machines, heaters, computers and other appliances that use up energy. There is a much greater role to be played by consumer information, awareness and education in meeting energy efficiency objectives.
Australia needs a nationally coordinated community awareness program on energy efficiency.
HIA’s National Policy Congress also resolved that:
- the mandating of 6-star energy efficiency rating on new dwellings should be linked to the availability of a nationally consistent energy rating system, which currently does not exist;
- home lenders should be called upon to relax their credit assessments on new home buyers to reflect the savings in energy costs.