Sweeping new building reforms encompass energy efficiency, EVs
Federal, state and territory building ministers have agreed on a series of sweeping national reforms that aim to ensure new homes in Australia will be more comfortable, accessible and energy efficient.
Industry Minister Ed Husic chaired his first Building Ministers’ Meeting on 26 August, during which ministers agreed to changes to the National Construction Code to include livable housing provisions, new residential efficiency standards and condensation mitigation measures.
The new national minimum residential energy-efficiency standards mean that new houses and apartments will need to meet a seven-star rating, up from the previous six stars.
“The agreement to make new homes more energy efficient will mean Australians have lower energy bills and be more comfortable year-round,” Husic said.
“This improvement will also help Australia with the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 by reducing energy use in our new homes.”
The building ministers noted that the NCC 2022 energy-efficiency provisions will make it easier for people living in apartments to switch to an electric vehicle. This is due to the provision of base infrastructure for future cabling and control-point installation at the time of construction. The ministers also agreed to start work on how building standards can further facilitate the transition to EVs in new buildings.
Husic acknowledged the work of states and territories on electric vehicles (EVs).
“National leadership on this issue has been sorely lacking. I’m determined to reverse that situation,” he said.
Ministers asked the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to take this work further by working with relevant agencies to ensure all of Australia’s future buildings are ready to support the energy transition by making EV charging easy and safe.
NCC 2022 will be available for voluntary use from 1 October 2022 and commence on 1 May 2023. The new modern housing provisions for energy efficiency, condensation and livable (accessible) housing will become mandatory on 1 October 2023.
More information about the new the minimum energy efficiency standards can be found at https://www.abcb.gov.au.
The Building Ministers’ Meeting Communique is available on the Department of Industry, Science and Resources website.
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