GBCA welcomes QLD Premier's 'cleaner, greener buildings policy'

Brisbane, 2 March 2009: Australia's leading green building organisation has today confirmed its support for a national move towards minimum six star energy efficiency ratings for all new Australian homes.

Speaking at the Asia Pacific region's leading green building conference, Green Cities 09, the Queensland Premier Anna Bligh launched a range of measures in the 'Cleaner, Greener Buildings Policy', which included a commitment that, if re-elected, the Queensland Government would mandate a six star energy efficiency rating for all homes by 2010.

According to the Green Building Council of Australia's (GBCA's) Chief Executive, Romilly Madew, today's announcement by Premier Bligh is in line with the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) approach.

"COAG's recent commitment that all states and territories move towards securing a minimum six star energy efficiency standard is supported by the GBCA," Ms Madew said.

"We see the transition towards six stars as a step in the right direction. This will improve the environmental sustainability of Australia's homes and reduce our national carbon emissions."

Ms Madew also said that the GBCA has been testing its Green Star - Multi Unit Residential tool in the Queensland market.

"What we've found is that a six star energy efficiency rating for houses in Queensland is readily achievable.

"Australia's commercial and residential buildings are responsible for 23 per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. This is why energy efficiency measures in new and existing buildings are vital if we are to reduce Australia's carbon footprint," Ms Madew concluded.

About the Green Building Council of Australia

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is Australia's leading authority on green building. The GBCA was established in 2002 to develop a sustainable property industry in Australia and drive the adoption of green building practices.

The GBCA has more than 700 member companies who work together to support the Council and its activities. The GBCA promotes green building programs, technologies, design practices and processes, and operates Australia's only national voluntary comprehensive environmental rating system for buildings - Green Star.

Contact:
Karen Jamal
Communications Manager
Green Building Council of Australia
Phone: 0412 179 135
Email: karen.jamal@gbca.org.au