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Media Release - Ministers Office Sydney: 23 June 2005 MULTI-UNIT BASIX IMPLEMENTATION EXTENDED TO OCTOBER NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources, Craig Knowles, announced today that the implementation date for Multi-Unit BASIX will be extended to 1 October 2005.
“We have decided to provide multi-unit developers with a voluntary period of three months prior to the implementation of Multi-Unit BASIX on 1 October,” said Mr Knowles.
“Multi-Unit BASIX will still be available from 1 July, but will operate in a voluntary form. The first three months will allow industry to get used to the system to evaluate the performance of their projects and to generate a BASIX certificate.
“Given the drought, uncertain weather conditions and resulting water shortages, it is imperative that our new homes are more energy and water efficient."
BASIX, the Building Sustainability Index, ensures that each new home or unit reduces greenhouse emissions by 25% and potable water by up to 40%.
“The Government remains committed to these targets, as reflected in our decision to progress the implementation of BASIX for new single homes and dual occupancies throughout the State from 1 July,” said Mr Knowles.
“The application of BASIX to multi-unit dwellings is essential in order to progress our detailed plans on water and energy conservation. BASIX ensures that residents and the community don’t have to bear the burden of poor performing developments."
An independent cost analysis of BASIX demonstrates that the cost of compliance is between $3,000 to $9,000 per apartment.
“However we know from our work to date that BASIX compliant homes lead to big savings for householders in energy and water bills,” said Mr Knowles.
BASIX is already providing certainty to sustainable technologies and benefits to the community. Over 10 years, the full introduction of BASIX is expected to save $287 billion litres of water – the equivalent of 15 per cent of a full Warragamba Dam and 9.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – the equivalent of taking 2.6 million cars off the road.
“I am pleased that industry remains committed to BASIX, providing affordable, sustainable housing for NSW residents,” said Mr Knowles.
“The BASIX Multi-Unit tool has already been improved as a result of feedback from the public exhibition last October, and the Department has spent many months working closely with industry and green groups in order to develop the best tool possible.
“We are determined that providing industry with more time to prepare for its implementation will ensure the best possible outcome for both new release areas and the urban renewal of key centres."
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Media Contact: Leanne Copping 0439 438 388
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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