Property Council welcomes funding for improved sustainability
The Australian government has announced an $85 million investment aimed at improving the energy efficiency of residential and commercial properties across the country.
The Property Council of Australia has expressed support for the funding, noting that the property sector has already made advances in sustainability. The council indicated that a clear national target would help drive further investment, increase competitiveness, and provide greater certainty for investors.
The Property Council has previously advocated for the extension of the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) program to include a wider range of commercial property types, as well as additional resources for the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) to ensure rating tools remain effective.
The expansion of the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) to cover existing homes is expected to make it easier for consumers to assess the energy efficiency of properties. Similarly, broadening the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act, which mandates labelling and minimum energy performance for appliances, is intended to help Australians make more informed decisions.
According to the council, these policy changes will provide Australians with established methods to reduce their energy costs, lower emissions, and promote a market for higher-performing homes.
“Australia’s property sector is a global leader in sustainability,” said Mike Zorbas (pictured right), chief executive of the Property Council of Australia. “We are well-placed to deliver high-impact, cost-effective decarbonisation.
“We have consistently called for resourcing to support continuous improvement of NABERS, and expansion of the NatHERS and CBD Programs because these proven programs help our industry. Providing the industry with policy certainty and consistency is key to helping our sector decarbonise. We also need to make sure vulnerable households are supported and that we boost the skills and capacity of the workforce.”
The council also stated that the introduction of a Demand-side Statement of Opportunities would complement existing energy system planning as Australia transitions to new energy sources.
With the anticipated rise in energy demand due to the electrification of buildings and transport, the council highlighted the importance of ensuring that energy market frameworks recognise the role of buildings in demand management and distributed energy resources.
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