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Raising the Standards on Sustainable Design

The Queensland State Government recently released a set of new housing standards to take effect 1 March 2006.

All new home, unit and townhouse plans approved from that time must include the following:

• Greenhouse efficient hot water systems (ie solar, gas or electric heat pump water heaters);
• Energy-efficient lighting (ie fluorescent or compact fluorescent lights to be used to illuminate at least 40% of internal floor space);
• AAA-rated shower roses in reticulated town water areas (AAA shower roses use a maximum of 9 litres of water per minute compared to 15 to 25 litres for standard shower roses);
• Dual-flush toilets (6 litre full flush/3 litre half flush); and
• Water pressure-limiting devices to restrict maximum water pressure to no more than 500 kilopascals (only required in areas with high water pressure)
• Encouragement to local councils to consider rainwater tanks.

Water saving showerheads and dual flush toilets must also be incorporated into bathroom renovations in existing houses and units.

The State Government hopes this Standard will encourage housing developers of a predicted 40,000 new homes required each year, to buy in bulk, reducing the prices of products such as solar hot water systems.

Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women, Desley Boyle said the package of changes would have a minimal impact on house prices, adding an extra $260 if a gas hot water system was used or $1500 for a solar electric hot water system.

Some may say this is a step in the right direction. However, others may argue taking an isolation approach to housing design results in piecemeal outcomes.

David Eisenberg from the Developing Centre for Appropriate Technology in Tuscon Arizona suggests, "Building Codes typically optimise components of a building in isolation, often pessimising both the building and the systems to which it is connected".

The State Government is predicting an additional 1.2 million people will reside in southeast Queensland by 2026. This equates to nearly 60,000 people per annum. Therefore, the 40,000 predicted new homes will potentially accommodate less than 1.5 people.

Sustainable housing is about firstly recognising the consequences of decisions. Who are these 1.2 million people? What are their needs? What do we have in the way of resources to meet those needs? What will be the impacts?

Providing affordable and appropriate homes that meets people's true life needs and comforts, ensuring minimal impact on the local and surrounding environment, underpins the essence of sustainable housing.

Encouraging design of housing that is less energy intensive in construction, operation, maintenance and deconstruction is smart.

Planning developments that optimise natural site flows, resource efficiencies, biodiversity, necessary infrastructure and social fabric is smart.

These housing standards will provide a statewide approach. They will probably provide cheaper prices for mandated products. They will boost sales and probably result in improved technology of these products. They will provide some benefits to water efficiency. They may even negate potential increased impacts on greenhouse gases.

However, if we are truly serious about providing smart, safe, healthy and happy living spaces and maintain the beauty of Queensland, it would benefit us now to also incorporate holistic design approaches to all buildings and developments that suit climatic zones, topography and local capacities.

Bronwyn Elliott is a sustainability consultant offering simple, creative and common sense approaches to doing every day things. Bronwyn is GreenSmart accredited and her company Solutions-in-Store operates from Birkdale on 0407 678779 providing advice on sustainable building design as well as sustainable business and marketing strategies to consumers, companies and government.