Old Housing Stock Key To Reducing Emissions
A report indicates the redevelopment of old housing is essential to carbon neutral plans.
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Nearly 8 million homes are past their use-by-date according to the Australia Affordable Housing Environmental Scan 2022 by PowerHousing Australia.
The report suggests that many of these outdated properties could be torn down to build multiple energy-efficient dwellings and address the housing crisis.
According to the report, one old standard house on an 800 to 1000sqm block could make way for up to three new homes. Most of the homes have existed for 30 years or more and contribute up to 18% of the country’s emissions.
While Australia looks to tackle rising emissions with advances in technology, PowerHousing Australia chief executive Nicholas Proud suggests the redevelopment of old housing could help tackle both emissions and affordability while technology comes up to speed.
“Australia’s 8 million pre-energy rated homes are now well past their use-by date, contributing up to 18 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and a real liability when it comes to hitting our Paris Agreement commitments for net-zero emissions.”
Mr Proud suggests that Australia will struggle to meet the UN net zero emissions target for 2050 without the repurposing of building materials
“The first step to meet our obligations to future generations is the repurposing and refurbishing older inefficient dwellings, as existing dwellings account for 95 per cent of our building stock and already have an embodied carbon component,” he said.
In 2003, a four-star Nathers energy rating became mandatory for all new homes. Prior to this, there was no obligation to make homes energy efficient and most homes built after the 1950s came in at one to two stars.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.
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Former Aussie Rules player Jeff Chapman’s dream beach house, which has had its praises sung by The Independent in the UK, is back on the market with a revised – and more competitive – price guide.
The contemporary pavilion-style residence Alinghi, created by celebrated architect James Grose, was voted one of the top five beach houses in the world by the British newspaper and has been operating as a luxury holiday rental earning up to $7000 a week.
The one-time Melbourne forward and founder of Bennelong Funds Management, and his wife Carena Shankar, listed the five-bedroom getaway back in mid 2024 with hopes of about $8 million. The prestige property is now back with new agent Pauline Karatau of Ray White New Farm and the amended guide now sits at $6.5 million.
As part of the private 5ha Rocky Point estate, at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef overlooking Honeymoon Bay, the glamorous holiday home shares not only a private beach with just four other neighbours, but also a 30m saltwater pool, a full-size tennis court, a beach cabana with barbecue facilities and a full-time live-in caretaker on site.
Alinghi seemingly floats against the cliffs of North Queensland’s Capricorn Coast consisting of two pavilions and shallow reflections pools for ultimate serenity. Residence number 5 is home to a two-storey main pavilion with large living spaces spilling onto semi-enclosed areas framing enviable ocean views. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, including two with ensuites. The second pavilion is a private retreat housing the main bedroom suite with an additional study or wellness space.
Crafted by Grose to leave minimal impact on its natural environment, the house features external materials sourced locally including rich cedar, plus glass and Travertine stone specifically chosen to blend and weather with the landscape over time.
The low maintenance property is also relatively self sufficient thanks to water tanks collecting the region’s abundant rainfall. Despite it’s northern Queensland address air-conditioning is an after-thought due to the clever cross-ventilation design principles and deliberate orientation capturing ocean breezes that flow through the large footprint.
Alinghi’s external lightning has also been carefully designed to be low voltage with minimum impact upon the local wildlife including wallabies, echidnas, goannas, turtles and even a diverse range of native birds. From the private terraces throughout winter, homeowners can also track the migratory whales.
Alinghi is a 90-minute drive away from Agnes Waters and its sister town of 1770 (also known as Seventeen Seventy). It is approximately 120kms from Bundaberg, which is home to a well-serviced domestic airport.
Alinghi is listed for sale with a price guide of $6.5 million via Ray White New Farm agent Pauline Karatau on 0418 733 773.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.
