6. Regulation

6.1 Cleaner Greener Buildings

Cleaner Green Buildings is an Queensland Government initiative that lifts the environmental standards for all new homes, offices and government buildings. ClimateQ, the Government's overarching sustainability policy, allocates $450,000 in measures and activities to help achieve the higher environmental standards.

The following are the key government actions under Cleaner Greener Buildings:

• require that by the end of 2010, new houses and major renovations must meet a 6-star (out of 10) residential energy equivalence rating by the end of 2010, with up to one star achieved through the inclusion of an outdoor living area. And from 1 March 2010, new units will be expected to meet a 5-star (out of 10) residential energy equivalence rating.
• stop body corporates and developers from banning energy efficient building materials like lighter roofs and solar hot water systems by amending the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997.
• require electricity sub-metering in new office buildings and multi unit dwellings, giving tenants an incentive for the first time to reduce their own power bills and in turn reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• require end of trip facilities for cyclists (including racks, lockers and showers) in all new major developments around key activity centres and in new commercial buildings greater than 2000m2.

The Cleaner Greener Buildings initiative is supported by the Building Code of Australia and the Queensland Development Code, which consolidates Queensland-specific building standards into a single document. The code covers Queensland matters outside the scope of, and in addition to, the Building Code of Australia. Parts of the code, such as 4.1 - Sustainable Buildings, have requirements relating to energy efficiency and sustainability.

6.2 Sustainable Planning Act

New planning and development laws came into effect on 18 December 2009 with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 replacing the Integrated Planning Act 1997. This new legislation seeks to achieve sustainable planning outcomes through:

• managing the process by which development takes place
• managing the effects of development on the environment
• continuing the coordination and integration of local, regional and state planning.

The new Act defines the terms development and ecological sustainability. It emphasises the coordination and integration of planning at the three levels at activity between local and state governments, through regional planning committees, and highlights the principle of integrated planning.

The purpose of the Act is to seek to achieve ecological sustainability
in three ways:

• managing the process by which development takes place including ensuring the process is accountable, effective and efficient and delivers sustainable outcomes;
• managing the effects of development on the environment (including managing the use of premises)
• continuing to coordinate and integrate planning at local, regional and state levels .

6.3 Smart Energy Savings Program

The Smart Energy Savings Program is a legislative initiative effective from 1 July 2009 introduced through the Clean Energy Act 2008. The program aims to drive energy saving improvements in Queensland businesses. It requires participating businesses to undertake an energy audit, develop an Energy Savings Plan and publish their actions for each relevant site, on a five-yearly cycle. ClimateSmart2050 allocates $55 million to help medium to large energy users to undertake energy efficiency audits and implement energy savings measures that have a three year or less payback period (that is, the money invested will be paid back through returns, profit or savings within three years).

6.4 Reducing Green Tape for Business

Under the Reducing Green Tape for Business initiative, the Queensland Government will invest $1 million and partner with industry stakeholders to explore ways to streamline regulations covering energy, water and pollutants and simplify state reporting requirements.

Currently, the regulations covering energy and water, and environmental licensing are managed by separate areas of Government using different reporting and compliance processes. This initiative will reduce the regulatory burden on business and increase the uptake of efficiency measures that lower greenhouse gas emissions and save money.

6.5 Water Efficiency Management Plans (WEMPS)

WEMPS are a key element of the Queensland Water Commission's (QWC) water restrictions and a long-term demand management strategy. WEMPs aim to help businesses better manage water use, save on water costs, improve efficiency and reduce business water consumption - by a minimum of 25% or best industry practice - in line with regionally agreed water reductions.

A WEMP is required for all non-residential customers using greater than 10 ML per year, and for all cooling towers. Water Restrictions specify key actions that must be implemented by customers. The water restrictions and the WEMP process are statutory requirements enforceable under the Water Act 2000. The Drought Exit Strategy released by the QWC identified WEMPs as a permanent water conservation measure which will be retained even if water restriction levels are relaxed.

6.6 Sustainable timber

QBuild, a business unit of the Department of Public works, is introducing policies to address procurement of sustainable timber, which will support the purchase of locally procured timber that meets recognised sustainability standards. From March 2010, timber merchants engaged under QBuild's "Supply of timber and timber products" standing offer arrangements will be required to demonstrate that sawn timber has been sourced from legal and sustainable sources.

Under the GBCA Green Star building rating system, credits are available in the Mat 8 sustainable timber credit for timber products which have been re-used, recycled or sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber.