Our meeting with Mathew Hyder, was very interesting, particular since Mathew, a native Texan, was able to present a contrast of sustainable development between US and AU. Mathew, originally from Fort Worth, is one of two partners of Legacy Property (www.legacyproperty.com.au ), a full service development company located in Sydney Australia. Mathew provided detailed information about the development process in Australia versus the United States including the following processes:
· Acquisition
· Approval
· Design
· Valuation
· Tax
In addition, he provided detailed information about BASIX, a program introduced by the Australian Government to ensure that homes are built to be more energy and water efficient. In Sydney, the BASIX program requires for all new homes, from single dwellings through to high-rise apartments, to reduce the amount of water and energy used by 40% compared to the average home.BASIX is an on-line program that assesses a house or unit’s design, and compares it against energy and water reduction targets. Once the design meet specific targets, a BASIX certificate will be issued. Every development application for a new home must be submitted to the local council with a BASIX certificate (www.basix.nsw.gov.au).
The BASIX approach incorporates regional variations such as soil type, climate, rainfall and evaporation rates, varying the water target between 0 and 40% according to location. This flexibility is critical due the extreme variation in rainfall and temperature for the area. The BASIX system is an important factor in moving sustainability forward in that it:
1. Sets one environmental standard
2. One of the strongest sustainable planning measures
3. No new home built will use more water than the state average
4. System is free and flexible
5. Sets clear sustainable housing targets
6. Provides much greater market certainty
7. Provides new home owners with better quality homes
Examples of sustainable housing features rated in the BASIX system are:
· Rainwater tanks for toilet, garden and/or laundry use
· Efficient showerheads, toilets, tap fittings
· Use of indigenous garden species
· Grey water system as appropriate
· Solar, heat pump or high efficiency gas hot water systems
· Efficient pool heating and pumps
· Good solar orientation
· Cross ventilation
· Insulation
· External shading
· Performance glazing for large glazed areas and/or poorly oriented areas
· Ceiling fans, evaporative coolers or high efficiency air conditioning
· Energy efficient lighting
· Alternative energy systems such as photovoltaic
Mathew also gave us background information on the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act of 2010 (http://www.cbd.gov.au/). This act, effective November 1, 2010 made it mandatory for all property advertisement for space greater than 6,500 square feet must include the energy rating for the building. With a transition period built in, effective November 1, 2011, a full Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC), valid for 12 months, will need to be disclosed. The BEEC must be registered on line and include the following:
- a NABERS Energy star rating for the building
- an assessment of tenancy lighting in the area of the building that is being sold or leased and
- general energy efficiency guidance
This type of drastic intervention by the government clearly demonstrates a different level of commitment to sustainable practices and building development than currently exists in the US. Although I feel these practices are very useful and would be helpful in moving toward a more sustainable environment, I would prefer to see recommended changes set forth by industry as opposed to regulated changes by the government. This certainly would result in a slower move to a more sustainable environment, but nevertheless it would result in some move.
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