The Australian regions outperforming the capitals for energy efficient housing

New Australian homes are far more energy efficient than those built previously, a new report from CoreLogic has shown. The report, Amped Up: How energy efficient are Australian

Homes?’ has taken data from CoreLogic and checked it against metrics generated by the CSIRO’s RapidRate™ product to reveal that houses built after 2010 achieved a media star rating of 5.9 out of a possible 10. This compares with a median rating of 2.8 stars for homes built prior to 2010.

The most energy efficient region overall was the ACT, with a median star rating of 6.1. Within the ACT, the region of Molonglo had the highest rating. Positioned halfway between Yarralumla and Stromlo Observatory, Molonglo is the newest district in the ACT and is still under development. It is the only region nationally with a star rating of 6 or above for all dwellings.

The ACT dominated the top 30 list of most energy efficient suburbs. In contrast, Sydney and Hobart were notably absent from the top 30 list, although the report noted that there was a high level of variation across both cities. Sydney and Hobart are also the oldest cities in the country, with some housing stock dating back to the early 19th century. The report noted that demand for heating was also strongest in Hobart, which also had the lowest dwelling completion to population ratio. Heritage restrictions were also identified as a factor.

At a micro level, the Sydney suburbs of Blacktown-North and Bringelly-Green Valley recorded the highest ratings for NSW, with a median of 5.2 stars. In Victoria, the Surf Coast-Bellarine peninsula performed well, with the suburbs of Armstrong Creek, Curlewis and Mount Duneed all showing a median rating of 6 stars or higher.

Given Australian housing accounts for 24 percent of electricity use and 10 percent of carbon emissions, CoreLogic’s Head of Banking & Finance Solutions Tom Coad said it was vital that standards set in the National Construction Code were adhered to.

“The significant difference in energy efficiency between relatively modern homes and older homes can largely be attributed to changes in the National Construction Code

which has progressively placed more emphasis on energy efficiency requirements for newly built homes,” Mr Coad said.

“The Coalition’s recent push to pause the National Construction Code for 10 years flies in the face of Australia’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions.”

“Policymakers should be incentivising the construction of energy efficient buildings, not slamming the breaks.”

The report was compiled using the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) star rating system. Research director at CoreLogic, Tim Lawless, said it was important to continue to monitor the energy efficiency of housing construction.

“What gets measured gets done,” he said. “As standards for energy efficient design and construction rise, it’s also becoming more important to measure energy resilience in

our housing stock.

“Minimum energy efficiency standards for new builds will continue to be important in supporting Australia’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, but there is likely to be

increasing focus and incentives on established housing where most of Australia’s housing stock was built prior to recent minimum standards.”

Leading Australian development manager Fortis has secured a landmark off-the-plan sale at Richmond Square, with high-profile hospitality entrepreneurs Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh purchasing a 550sqm penthouse residence in Carmine House, establishing a new price benchmark for apartment living in Richmond.

The purchase underscores the continued demand for premium, amenity-rich residences in Melbourne’s inner east.

The transaction marks a significant milestone for the $330 million mixed-use precinct, reinforcing buyer appetite for integrated, lifestyle-led developments.

Richmond Square comprises two residential offerings – Carmine House and Wiltshire House – alongside a 57-room boutique hotel, strata office space and a curated mix of retail and lifestyle operators.

As part of Carmine House, residents have access to hotel-style amenities and services, including concierge, housekeeping, dry cleaning and in-residence food and beverage delivery.

Best known for building The Big Group into one of Australia’s leading luxury hospitality and events businesses, the Keebaughs were drawn to the precinct’s integrated lifestyle offering and its proximity to Melbourne’s hospitality, cultural and sporting precincts, while remaining well connected to the Mornington Peninsula, where they spend much of their time.

As well, Chyka is well known to Australian audiences as one of the original stars of The Real Housewives of Melbourne, appearing across three seasons of the hit reality series.

Alongside her business ventures with Bruce, she has built a public profile as a lifestyle authority, authoring two books on home and entertaining, Chyka Home and Chyka Celebrate.

“We weren’t simply looking for a luxury apartment,: the couple said. “We were looking for a home that delivers an exceptional lifestyle every day. The combination of design, walkability, security and the broader precinct vision for the broader precinct immediately stood out.”

Jordan Winada, Head of Acquisitions (Commercial) Victoria at Fortis, said the result highlights evolving priorities at the top end of the market.

“This sale reinforces that premium buyers are prioritising the complete lifestyle experience,” says Winada.

“They’re increasingly looking beyond the apartment itself and assessing the quality of the surrounding neighbourhood as well.”

Sean Cussell, Director at Christie’s International Real Estate Victoria, who negotiated the transaction, said the result reflects the lack of comparable product at this level of the market.

“There’s simply no direct comparison for this in Richmond. It’s not just an apartment; it’s part of a fully integrated precinct combining residential, hotel, workplace and lifestyle amenity,” Cussell said.

“Buyers are increasingly assessing the broader offering, from amenity and walkability to service and convenience. Projects that deliver a complete lifestyle experience continue to outperform.”

The sale contributes to Fortis’ strong national performance, with the business recording more than $124 million in sales since March, the last three all record-breaking penthouse sales across the country, reflecting sustained momentum across its portfolio and continued appetite for premium, design-driven developments.

This follows Fortis’ recent record-breaking Ruby House penthouse sale in Sydney’s Double Bay, which set a new benchmark for apartment living in the suburb and underscores the strength of demand at the ultra-premium end of the market.

Richmond Square will announce its hospitality and lifestyle operators in the coming weeks as the project progresses towards completion this year.

The Australian regions outperforming the capitals for energy efficient housing

An unlikely Australian region is leading the energy efficiency charge for residential construction, while one major capital lags behind

Hospitality entrepreneurs Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh have set a new price benchmark for apartment living in Richmond with their purchase of a Carmine House penthouse.