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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Thursday, 26 August 2004) . . Page.. 4477 ..

Answers to questions

Energy efficiency ratings
(Question No 1605)

Mr Smyth asked the Minister for Planning, upon notice, on 23 June 2004:

(1) What evaluation has been undertaken of the role of energy efficiency rating statements for residential properties;

(2) In particular, what impact have these statements had on people who have sought to purchase or who have purchased properties;

(3) Has the evaluation included an assessment of the quality and accuracy of information contained in these statements;

(4) What costs have been incurred by vendors and purchasers as a consequence of having these statements prepared;

(5) What process has been implemented to ensure that people with appropriate expertise are available to provide these statements;

(6) Have any people sought to amend a statement; if so, (a) how many and (b) what has been the outcome of this action;

(7) Have any complaints been made about any aspects of the system for preparing these statements;

(8) If so, (a) how many complaints have been made, (b) what has been the nature of these complaints and (c) what action has been taken to resolve the issues that have been raised.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) An evaluation of the performance of the ACT House Energy Rating Scheme (ACTHERS), which included assessing the role of having residential energy efficiency rating (EER) statements, was carried out and reported on in 1997 and 2000 with respect to all new housing stock. Similarly reviews of the Energy Efficiency Ratings (Sale of Premises) Act 1997 (EERSOP) were carried out and reported on in 2001 and 2003. A further evaluation focusing on the quality of assessments is currently being undertaken as an audit of Assessor Performance.

(2) Members of the real estate industry are providing feedback that the number of purchasers asking questions about the energy efficiency performance of properties is increasing. Also, for existing dwellings, the use of insulation materials to improve energy efficiency and user comfort is increasing, which was a finding of the 2000 and 2001 reviews. There is also an ongoing government program ‘Cavity Wall Insulation Subsidy Program’ which is a joint initiative between Environment ACT and JustRite Insulation to support this type of improvement.

(3) The 1997 evaluation and the evaluation currently being undertaken focus on the quality and accuracy of the residential EER statements.

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