ENERGY, STAR RATING

In reply to the Hon. M. PARNELL (29 July 2008).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business): The Planning Reforms announced by the Government on 10 June 2008 contained a commitment to extending the targets in the Building code for energy and water efficiency having regard to the impacts on housing affordability. Accordingly, a review is being undertaken of those targets.

The minimum energy standard for houses is influenced by a number of factors and it is noted that star ratings only deal with the energy used for heating and cooling to maintain comfortable conditions. There are other contributing factors to overall household energy consumption such as water heaters, lighting and cooking. In this regard, water heaters are very significant contributors to household energy consumption and as from 1 July 2008 the Building Code requirements for water heaters have been extended to cover the non-reticulated gas areas of the State effectively prohibiting the use of inefficient electric storage water heaters in new houses.

Accordingly, the current review will be looking at those areas of household energy consumption where the Building Code requirements can have the greatest impact. That may be in going to a six star level or it may be that there are other areas where greater impacts can be achieved as the next step.

Concurrently with this work, COAG have established a number of working groups on national issues and one of these is dealing with Climate Change and Water, including energy efficiency. At the October 2008 meeting of COAG it was agreed to develop a National Strategy for Energy Efficiency in preparation for the Commonwealth Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Streamlined roles and responsibilities for energy efficiency policies and programs are to be agreed by the end of December 2008 with implementation to be finalized by June 2009. Arising out of this work it is expected that COAG decisions will be providing a greater degree of national consistency and direction for the Building Code in this important area.

Accordingly, the review of targets arising out of the Planning Reforms will help to inform a South Australian position in the developing national agenda for the Building Code.