Page 2575 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 1 August 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
In order to strengthen the purpose of the scheme, to improve Canberrans’ energy choices and continue to foster a more environmentally friendly city, we need to make it clear that these ratings are so much more than just a number at the bottom of a rental listing. As Ms Orr notes, in much the same way as we all compare energy prices, it would be fantastic to see a similar concept applied to our energy efficiency rating scheme.
It is equally important that the government looks to work with the real estate industry to ensure that disclosure measures are being consistently respected and that energy efficiency ratings are rightly advertised on all rental listings. It is disappointing that there have been some instances where landlords have not advertised their property’s energy efficiency rating on all rental listings. As has been clearly outlined, energy efficient homes provide significant environmental advantages, and, of course, financial advantages as well, not just for tenants but also for landlords.
Mr Wall made reference to the Melbourne university study which has provided recent evidence that higher energy efficient homes provide improved returns. For this reason there should be incentive enough for the housing industry to embrace this scheme and energy efficient housing. Despite this knowledge, there needs to be further engagement undertaken with the real estate industry to reach an understanding on the importance of this scheme and continuing to progress the objectives of the ratings.
Lastly, as energy efficiency technology continues to evolve with innovation, so must government policy in this area. I note that Ms Orr’s motion speaks to this fact. I believe that this scheme should be able to more closely align with the new technologies that are being produced in this area. We do need to continually look at our energy efficiency rating scheme.
The benefits of a solid scheme to our city are clear. As Australia’s most environmentally friendly city, we should continue to re-examine the scheme so that it can continue to reach its objectives. The current scheme is a leading model, but we need to continue to seek new solutions and ways that we can strengthen the rating scheme. I believe the issues raised in this motion are important to consider, and I thank Ms Orr for bringing it forward.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Urban Renewal) (5.49): I thank Ms Orr for her motion and for the opportunity to talk about this important project. The ACT has a history of pioneering energy efficiency initiatives. It was one of the first jurisdictions to introduce energy efficiency standards for houses and apartments, in 1992. This was 11 years before standards for houses were introduced into the national building code and 13 years before national standards for apartments.
The ACT scheme to advertise energy efficiency ratings and provide energy efficiency information about a property to potential purchasers and renters came into effect in 1999. It is one of the first in the world and remains the only scheme like it in Australia. There have been national projects over the years to roll out schemes similar to the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video