Edition 75, February 2010

Sustainable housing laws introduced in Qld

Sustainable housing laws introduced in QLDThe Queensland Government introduced new sustainable housing laws on 1 January 2010 to improve the water and energy efficiency of homes and to encourage smarter design.

Measures in place from 1 January 2010 include: 

  • Hot water systems - existing houses situated in natural gas reticulated areas will be required to install a greenhouse-efficient hot water system - either gas, solar or heat pump - when their existing electric system requires replacement. 
     
  • Sustainability declaration form - a form which outlines the energy, water, access and safety features of a home will need to be completed when selling a house, townhouse or unit. 
     
  • Ban the banners - new and some existing covenants and body corporate by-laws will be prevented from banning energy efficient features or fixtures and requiring certain design features in houses, townhouses, units or enclosed garages.
     
  • Electricity sub-metering - it will be mandatory for all new multi-unit residential buildings (class 2) and office buildings (class 5) to install electrical sub-metering to each meterable premise. 

For more information visit www.dip.qld.gov.au/sustainable-housing/index.php

This page was generated on 25 February, 2010