Page 504 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 16 February 2005

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

That this Assembly:

(1) recognises the need for mandatory sustainability targets in the building design and construction industry in the A.C.T.; and

(2) calls on the government to:

(a) commit to the implementation of a user-friendly planning tool for all residential dwellings, such as the Building Sustainability Index from NSW that:

(i) requires each dwelling design to meet water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions targets that are linked to territory level sustainability targets;

(ii) ensures each dwelling design meets minimum sustainability standards through the completion of a mandatory sustainability assessment before lodgement of the development application;

(iii) has the capacity and flexibility to increase the standards; and

(iv) requires certification of sustainability features by a building certifier when issuing a certificate of occupancy; and

(b) commit to implementing sustainability requirements for all government office developments and all new government tenancies using a recognised assessment and accreditation tool, such as the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme and Green Star; and

Today the Kyoto Protocol is being ratified. While it is a great occasion for the planet, it is a terrible shame for Australia as the Australian government still refuses to ratify the protocol. Debating this motion today connects the ACT to global action and calls on the ACT government to act to reaffirm the territory’s commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2008.

This motion calls on the government to ensure that all new residential development applications demonstrate that they meet minimum sustainability standards that are linked to territory level targets for reducing water and energy use. The motion asks the government to commit to the implementation of a planning tool to achieve this.

The ACT Greens, it will be no surprise to you, are committed to working towards a planning and design framework that will allow people to live in more ecologically and socially satisfying ways and which will promote a healthier and more sustainable Canberra community.

The ACT Greens have been keeping an eye on the development of the building sustainability index, commonly known as BASIX, in New South Wales, and we have been impressed that it makes sustainable buildings mainstream, is a practical tool that is

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .