Page 2187 - Week 06 - Monday, 11 May 2009
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(2) The discussion paper prepared in 2008 was a draft document. The paper is currently being revised in light of concurrent national processes for energy efficiency ratings and will be available to the public and the Assembly shortly.
(3) ACTPLA and the Commonwealth Government in its capacity as administrator for the Australian Building Codes Board on behalf of States and Territories, held a joint information session in Canberra on 10 February 2009 that outlined the changes to the BCA for 2009. All licensed building certifiers were invited to this session and information will be posted on the ABCB website after completion of the session program.
It is not compulsory to demonstrate compliance with energy efficiency provisions by calculation of a star rating. A star rating is only one method of verification permissible under the BCA. Second generation software is not new and has been referenced in the second BCA protocol for second generation software since 2006.
(4) Ratings produced on first generation software will still be valid after 1 May 2009 for the purposes of mandatory disclosure. ACTPLA is investigating how ACTHERS can be transitioned to second generation software while minimising the impact for homeowners and energy assessors.
(5) Final decision on requirements under a new licensing regime will be resolved after the release of the discussion paper and appropriate consultation with industry groups.
(6) Stamps are only required under the ACTHERS. Since this scheme is independent of ABCB protocols new stamps will not be required.
(7) The software calculates theoretical energy efficiency performance of a dwelling based on specified components of the building. This does not require differentiation between new and existing buildings.
(8) For the purposes of the BCA EERs are calculated from the building plan prior to commencement of construction.
(9) There is currently limited legal capacity to audit energy assessments. The Government is examining options to strengthen the scheme to allow for greater regulatory rigour is a priority for ACTPLA
(10) The last audit of EERs was undertaken in early 2008.
(11) The next EER audit will be undertaken when the position of Energy Rating Advisor is filled.
Environment—energy efficiency ratings
(Question No 95)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for Planning, upon notice, on 26 February 2009:
(1) What level of training is being provided to energy efficiency rating training.
(2) What is the status of all the existing first generation ratings and have any studies been done to compare the ratings produced.
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