Key Points:
The new energy efficiency provisions illustrate a broad
objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
On 10 June 2009 the Australian Building Codes Board released its
draft amendments to the Building Code of Australia (BCA). It is
proposed that these amendments will form part of the 2010 edition
of the BCA, which is expected to take effect from 1 May 2010. While
limited public consultation has already occurred, a further
opportunity to make submissions will be available following release
of a regulatory impact statement in September.
Objective is to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions
Previous editions of the BCA have stated that the objective of
minimum energy performance standards was "to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by efficiently using energy"; the draft BCA
narrows this objective to simply "reduce greenhouse gas
emissions." The rationale for this amendment is set out in the
explanatory notes for the draft BCA:
