6. Voluntary standards and ratings

6.1 Non-residential building rating schemes

The ACT Planning and Land Authority encourages all development proposals to exceed the minimum performance standards in the Building Code of Australia, and target high NABERS and Green Star rating. However, this is not mandatory.

The Authority participates in the NABERS Steering Committee, the Australian Building Codes Board, and in measures under the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency to improve minimum standards and define pathways to higher voluntary standards.

6.2 CitySwitch Green Office

The ACT Government is working with the Australian Government to encourage energy efficiency in commercial office space through the Green Lease program, whereby tenants of buildings with minimum energy performance standard obtain a financial and efficiency gains. It also intends to join the CitySwitch Green Office program in 2009, a national tenant energy management program run as a partnership between the cities of Sydney, North Sydney, Parramatta, Willoughby, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane and state government agencies, the Department of Environment & Climate Change NSW and Sustainability Victoria. CitySwitch signatories commit to achieve and maintain an accredited 4 stars or higher NABERS Energy tenancy rating.

The ACT Government, in collaboration with the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council of Australia, has also funded a green building audit pilot project to help assess the relative merits of improving the environmental performance of poor-grade commercial office buildings. This program will help develop a business case to the Australian Government as to what market incentives may be necessary to help achieve the desired outcome.