Sustainable Building
Sustainable Housing Consumer Research
With Perth’s climate expected to be 20 per cent drier by 2030 and up to 60 per cent drier by 2070, the Western Australian Government is keen to encourage a shift towards more environmentally sensitive housing to help reduce energy and water consumption.
An online survey was conducted in February-March 2006 to test community opinion on the introduction of mandatory sustainable housing standards. It found strong support for the introduction of these standards.
The survey results are available online in two formats:
The survey involved 583 respondents divided into home owners and home buyers.
It found that 93% of home owners and 94% of home buyers are supportive of the introduction of mandatory sustainable housing standards, with 73% of home owners and 76% of home buyers strongly supportive of such a move.
Building Sustainability Assessments
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure has reviewed a New South Wales web-based Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) with respect to its suitability for Western Australian conditions.
WA BASIX can be used to calculate the energy and water based performance of a building based on information about its size, location, design features and fixtures.
BASIX can be applied to every new house, villa townhouse and unit throughout the State to reduce the environmental impact of these homes.
An independent group of analysts has conducted a cost benefit analysis of WA BASIX.
This included a 'triple bottom line' component, ie examining the social, environmental and financial implications of BASIX.
The Western Australian Government has chosen not to implement BASIX at present.
5 Star Plus – A new standard in sustainable housing
In May 2007, the Premier, Hon Alan Carpenter MLA, announced a range of measures, collectively named Five Star Plus, which will make houses more energy and water efficient. In addition to requiring a five-star energy rating for dwellings, these measures include solar or five-star gas hot water systems, water efficient showerheads, tap fittings in bathroom basins and vanities, efficient dual-flush toilets, and pool blankets for all new pools to reduce the rate of evaporation.
The second stage of the Five Star Plus standards, due in 2008, will also require owners of new houses to install plumbing to toilets to allow for alternative water supply and easy recycling of grey water at a later date and, where single dwellings are located on larger lots, an alternative water supply (such as rainwater tanks) for flushing toilets and for washing machines.
For more information see http://www.5starplus.wa.gov.au/
Options for improving the sustainability of existing dwellings will also be considered in the future.
