Page 3792 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 22 November 2006
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Other aspects of neighbourhood and subdivision design relate to external climate control, including vegetation distribution, park location and street trees.
Going back to the climate change strategy, it will establish broad directions up to 2020 for the government to support the community’s response to climate change. Detailed action plans under these broad direction areas will then be established following further consultation with the community, with the first to be developed in mid-2007. In this way the strategy will remain responsive to the changes in climate change knowledge and technology. Even with the formulation of the new strategy which is under way, significant emission reduction programs are already in place.
In 2005 the ACT joined with New South Wales in the implementation of the greenhouse gas abatement scheme. The scheme requires retailers of electricity, which is the source of more then 60 per cent of ACT emissions, to supply an increasing percentage of their product each year from cleaner and greener generation sources. In its first year of operation the ACT component of the scheme achieved emission savings of 316,360 tonnes, or the equivalent of taking 73,570 vehicles off ACT roads for a year. Steadily increasing targets mandated in legislation will result in annual per capita emissions being reduced by more then eight per cent by 2008.
Turning back to planning, water-sensitive urban design requirements have been put in as well. Those guidelines apply to all scales of development, including residential, multiunit, commercial, institutional and estate development. Mandatory targets for potable water use reductions and stormwater quality and quantity are included. However, wastewater reuse is currently optional for redevelopments. There may be options to make it compulsory in the future.
The ACT is the only jurisdiction that has in place mandatory disclosure of house energy ratings at the point of sale. This labelling system plays an important role in disclosing the energy performance of buildings to prospective buyers. It has also increased prospects of job opportunities in the ACT. Its major role is informing the market, thereby allowing for more efficient market operation. It has an added role in educating and raising awareness about sustainability more generally.
This system rates the performance of the dwelling. It can be from zero to six stars. There is about a $1,000 per annum difference in the costs of heating and cooling a zero-star home and a six-star home. The commonwealth and the ACT governments are conducting a review of the effectiveness of the rating in affecting purchaser decision making. There is now mandatory installation of water-efficient showerheads in all new buildings—introduced from late 2004.
The government recognises that commercial buildings are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in the ACT. Energy-efficient measures for commercial buildings are to be included in the Australian Building Code. These have been effective from 1 May 2006.
The government has implemented the sustainable transport plan, which is creating a more environmentally efficient transport system. There have been improvements in bus lane construction on the transit corridor of Gungahlin to city. The ACT government has also funded a number of service improvements, including improved
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .