A ‘Green Standard’ Of Sustainability For New Homes
The building industry will need to meet tougher criteria for ‘Green Star’.
< 1 min
In hopes of cutting household energy costs, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has launched a sustainability rating for the volume home building industry.
Under the Green Star Homes Standard new homes will need to meet health standards for ventilation, insulation, minimal toxins in carpest or paint.
Further, a number of resilience standards including water efficiency, climate change readiness, alongside homes needing to meet climate positive measures, such as being fully electric, draught sealed, energy-efficient and powered by renewables.
“The residential sector accounts for 57 per cent of Australia’s building emissions. We spend 90 per cent of our time indoors with two-thirds of this being at home,” said GBCA’s chief executive Davina Rooney.
The new rating tool could see Green Star certified homes reduce energy costs by more than 75% – through solar panels, insulation, airconditioning LED lights, and electric appliances according to the GBCA.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
The construction sector is roaring back to life in some Australian states while others languish in the doldrums
< 1 min
The home building market is on the rebound as building approvals rise, new data reveals.
Information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the total number of dwellings approved in August was up 7 percent seasonally adjusted, with apartments leading the way.
Private sector house approvals gained 5.8 percent in August while private sector residences excluding houses were up 9.4 percent. This follows on from a decrease of 14.6 percent in July and indicates a solid recovery in the Australian construction sector as the end of the year approaches.
Approvals for total dwellings were strongest in the two largest states, with Victoria recording a rise of 22.2 percent and NSW 12.5 percent. Western Australia also saw a significant rise of 12.3 percent.
In Queensland, the results were less positive for the sector, with total dwelling approvals falling by -26.9 percent. Tasmania also experienced a drop in approvals in August, down -10.1 percent and South Australia -6.9 percent.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
