The piece of work stems from the ABCB’s response to Measure 31 of the Council of Australian Governments’ National Energy Productivity Plan. Specifically, the energy efficiency initiative will investigate and, where appropriate, implement for both commercial and residential buildings in NCC 2019 the following:

• quantified Performance Requirements;
• a suite of Verification Methods;
• improved Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions; and
• a suite of supporting education material.

For commercial buildings, this will also include consideration of an economically feasible stringency increase and other improvements to facilitate greater compliance. For residential buildings, the stringency will remain the same. However, attention will be given to compliance options being increased and made clearer. This will facilitate greater compliance with current requirements and establish the foundation for reviewing the stringency of the residential building provisions in the future.

An infographic titled NCC 2019 Energy Efficiency Provisions at a glance has been developed to depict the scope of the initiative.

The significant nature of the initiative has led the ABCB to establish two working groups, one Commercial and one Residential. Working group members include representatives from organisations such as the Australian Institute of Architects, the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, the Property Council of Australia and the Housing Industry Association. The working groups will help provide input into the technical aspects of the project.

To commence the initiative, two workshops have been held (residential and commercial) to help inform the technical aspects of the proposed work.

The ABCB will be regularly engaging with stakeholders during the development of the new provisions. Formally, the general public will have an opportunity to provide comment on all proposed changes during the public comment period in early 2018.

Source http://www.abcb.gov.au/News/2016/09/11/Energy-efficiency-initiative

Released: 12/09/2016