Page 515 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 16 February 2005
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There is much that this government can do, and I agree with some of the criticisms of Dr Foskey about the government amendments. It would have been better had the Liberal amendment succeeded. I think there is a place in the future for the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment to look at this development and ensure that it is going down the right path. We on this side can count, we are numerate, and we recognise that there needs to be some amendment to Dr Foskey’s motion and, therefore, we will reluctantly support the government’s amendments, but with a further amendment that Mr Seselja has already moved.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (4.46): I also note, as Dr Foskey did, the absence today of Australia’s participation in the introduction around most of the world of the Kyoto Protocol.
All state and territory governments are addressing the issue of how best to achieve an improvement in the environmental performance of new buildings. While seeking to work within the national frameworks provided by the building code of Australia, this government is actively involved in examining and assessing policies and systems that could be adapted for the territory’s needs.
The Australian Building Codes Board has itself now determined that it will focus more of its attention in the future on developing construction standards for improved environmental performance in the areas of energy and water efficiency, use of materials and internal air quality. It is currently involved in new energy standards for all forms of housing and commercial buildings.
This government has always been quick to adopt these standards and has already indicated in its election platform that it will introduce the national standards to be introduced to the buildings code in Australia in 2006 for multistorey residential and commercial buildings and a five-star energy rating for new, detached residential buildings.
Tools and systems for assessing the environmental performance of new buildings come in all shapes and sizes but, as they become more sophisticated, are being designed to avoid a one size fits all approach. This in turn necessitates careful consideration of their application to different jurisdictions in terms of adaptation within the respective regulatory frameworks, consistency within the building code, any local climatic or geological conditions, resources implications and potential costs and benefits to industry and consumers.
On this last point, it is necessary to consult on the applicability of any new approach and provide rigour in the form of a regulatory impact statement. Typically, these systems also cost money to acquire, which requires the provision of properly scoped budgets. The government, through its relevant agencies, is exploring all of these issues to arrive at what it believes will be the best outcome for the territory.
It is important to note that the government has an extremely proud track record in promoting more sustainable development within the ACT, starting with its broad sustainability policies and principles contained within its People, Places and Prosperity strategy; the Canberra spatial plan and sustainable transport plans that promote integrated
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