New Planning System a missed opportunity
ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey has called for better design and siting of new buildings, as a concrete step towards meeting the challenge of climate change, and described the ACT's new planning system that comes into force today as a missed opportunity to do so.
"The ACT's new planning system comes into force today. This was an opportunity to raise the bar on making our buildings and suburbs more energy efficient and climate friendly" Dr Foskey said today.
"Unfortunately, the ACT government has made little progress in this direction."
"Stationary energy use is our biggest contribution to greenhouse gases, and in a climate like ours, with extremes of heat and cold, our energy use will grow if we don't act to curb it now."
"For new homebuilders, this means regulations. An A.V. Jennings spokesperson recently announced that unless governments regulate, they can't dissuade clients from building energy guzzling new homes."
"I note the Property Council was a supporter of Earth Hour last Saturday."
"I would like to see it now joining AV Jennings in calling for greater regulation for energy efficiency."
"And I would like to see the ACT Government committing to regulating for green building. Unfortunately, we appear to be going backwards."
"The new Territory Plan says overshadowing by new houses of existing houses is okay if it allows for a minimum of three hours of sunlight in adjacent houses living areas. Clearly houses thus affected will find it hard to install solar hot water systems, leave their heaters off or benefit from solar feed-in tariffs."
"Canberra led the world in embracing Earth Hour on the weekend."
"Let's use it as a step off point for a stronger ACT climate change strategy, and better building design, so we can make a difference all year round" Dr Foskey said.
