Not built to stand the heat: Minns low-rise thermal insulation policy fail
Thermal performance of new low-rise apartments has been overlooked by the NSW Minns Government in its Low and Mid-rise Reforms. As a consequence, we will see new 2-5 storey dwellings turned into summer hot-boxes.
While debate rages around the Minns Government’s “housing” strategy, the Better Planning Network (BPN) is campaigning to raise awareness of the insulation oversight, and the increase the risk of energy poverty for apartment-dwellers due to the cost of heating and cooling during predicted extreme weather events.
BPN has lobbied the State Government to extend the requirement to increase existing 5.5 Star NatHERS thermal performance requirements to 7 Stars (of 10 maximum) to new 2-5 storey apartments.
The exemption of new 2-5 storey apartments will shift higher power costs onto unsuspecting buyers and renters, sending some into energy poverty. Even if 7 Star apartments would cost more to build, the energy savings should more than compensate over the medium to long term.
BPN will continue to urge Planning Minister Scully to drop this exemption as it serves only developers, not the buyers. The Planning Minister should be encouraging developers to pay it forward, requiring new apartments to have reasonable thermal performance in buildings that will last at least 50 years.
Where necessary, the Government should subsidise the additional cost of 7 Stars for new 2-5 storey apartments, especially for low-income housing.
On average, home thermal performance upgrades of existing dwellings cost about four times more than the same provision in a new home construction. So, it makes much more sense for the government to act now and address the issue of thermal performance in new buildings.
The current approach is grossly inefficient and unfair for the unsuspecting buyers, and to renters of new low-rise apartments. It is irresponsible, especially in the context of the NSW government’s promotion of 2-5 storey apartments near transport and shopping hubs. The Sustainable Housing SEPP must be changed to ensure adequate thermal performance of all new dwellings.