Building Innovation Fund - Round 3 now open
Round 3 of the Building Innovation Fund (BIF) is now open with applications due on 4 March 2011 (click here for link).
I am also pleased to inform you that the eligibility criteria have been extended to more buildings and types of building owners. Now corporate business entities, universities and non-for-profit associations (e.g. charity associations) are eligible to apply for funding to undertake capital works projects and feasibility studies in relation to office buildings, some hotels and shopping centres.
Further information including the Program Guidelines, application forms and a sample Grant Agreement are available from www.climatechange.sa.gov.au.
Also, the presentations featured at the BIF Case Study and Information Session on 9 December 2010 are available from www.climatechange.sa.gov.au.
National Urban Policy - Discussion Paper released
Our Cities - building a productive, sustainable and liveable future is open for comments and feedback.
This discussion paper is accompanied by a Background and Research Paper Our Cities - the challenge of change. Our Cities sets out the Australian Government’s thinking on a national approach to urban development and the challenges we must address for our cities to become more productive, sustainable and liveable.
The purpose of the discussion paper is to frame the Australian Government’s policy approach to cities as the basis for a National Urban Policy to be released in 2011. It will establish national directions and objectives for our cities as we prepare for the decades ahead.
The discussion paper outlines the Australian Government’s aspirations under the themes of productivity, sustainability and liveability, and recognises the importance of good planning and governance. It aims to stimulate a national discussion on the outcomes we need for our cities.
The document is open for public comment until 1 March 2011 and written submissions can be provided through this link. The Background and Research Papers can be found here.
Green Building Council of Australia - press release
Property Council of Australia - press release
Sea Level rise maps
A series of static sea level rise maps has been developed that highlight areas of Australia’s coast which are vulnerable to a low, medium and high sea level rise scenario relevant to the 2100 period. These maps allow community members to identify low lying areas vulnerable to inundation from any number of sea level scenarios.
Click here for a link to the maps and here for Minister Combet’s press release.
Mandatory Disclosure comes into effect 1 November
Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) is a national program designed to improve the energy efficiency of Australia’s large office buildings.
Under the program, from 1 November 2010 most sellers or lessors of office space of 2,000 square metres or more are required to obtain and disclose an up-to-date energy efficiency rating. Certain exceptions and exemptions apply.
There is a transition period for the first year of the program where a valid National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Energy base or whole building rating can be disclosed.
From 1 November 2011 a full Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC) will need to be disclosed. BEECs are valid for 12 months, must be publicly accessible on the online Building Energy Efficiency Register, and include:
The NABERS Energy star rating (exclusive of GreenPower) must also be included in any advertisement for the sale, lease or sublease of the office space.
The CBD program has been developed by the Australian, state and territory governments, as part of a broad package of measures to encourage building energy efficiency. The program is managed by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, who are a observer member of ASBEC.
Parliamentary Committees and Inquiries
The 42nd Parliament was prorogued and the House of Representatives dissolved at 5.00 pm on Monday, 19 July 2010. A general election for the House of Representatives and half of the Senate will be held on Saturday, 21 August 2010.
As the election is a normal House of Representatives and half-Senate election, Senate committees remain in existence after the prorogation of the previous parliament and may continue to meet until the eve of the new Parliament.
The membership of Senate committees is renewed following the opening of the next Parliament. Joint committees cease to exist at the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
Inquiry into Smart Infrastructure: House Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
The Committee is to inquire into "smart infrastructure" and make recommendations on ways to maximise the potential benefits to Australian communities of embedding appropriate and relevant technologies into Australia's infrastructure, including, but not limited to, the transport, communications, energy and water sectors.
House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts: no inquiry at present
Inquiry into the Energy Efficient Homes Package: Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts Reference Committee
On 29 October 2009 the Senate referred the Energy Efficient Homes Package (ceiling insulation) to the Environment, Communications and the Arts References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 March 2010. On 16 March 2010,the Senate granted an extension of time for reporting until 06 May 2010.
The interim report is available here.
Green Loans Program: Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts Reference Committee
On 10 March 2010 the Senate referred the Government's Green Loans program to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts for inquiry and report. Submissions were received by 14 April 2010. The reporting date is 21 June 2010.
The Committee will consider the Program with particular reference to the administration of the program from a pricing, probity and efficiency perspective, an analysis of the effectiveness of the program as a means to improve the water and energy efficiency of homes inclusing consideration of measures to reduce or eliminate waste and mismanagement.
The provisions of the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill 2010: Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts Legislation Committee
The Senate passed legislation on 24 June 2010 requiring owners of commercial office buildings to disclose energy efficiency performance data to prospective buyers and tenants. The requirement of the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill will apply when office space covering 2,000 sqm or more is offered for sale, lease or sublease.
On 18 March 2010 the Senate referred the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill 2010 for inquiry and report. Submissions should be received by 06 April 2010. The reporting date is 11 May 2010.
A link to the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill 2010 can be found here.