pitt&sherry, in conjunction with Swinburne University, is working with key stakeholders from Australia’s building industry to deliver recommendations for the National Energy Efficient Building Project (NEEBP).

Energy used in buildings accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Australia’s energy related greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Australian Building Codes Board.

As a result, the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, introduced in 2009, is targeting improved energy efficiency in Australian buildings through the NEEBP.

According to Phil Harrington, Principal Consultant & Manager – Carbon & Energy at pitt&sherry (and associated with the Energy Efficiency Council), “the national review is seeking to identify the many and varied points in the construction-cycle where the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code are not being achieved.

“The NEEBP is keen to understand the views of key stakeholders from the building industry Australia-wide, and to deliver advice on where the key problems lie and how they might be addressed,” said Harrington.

The national review will involve two phases, with the first including the following key projects:

• A national review of key systematic or process weaknesses, and common points of non-compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code
• A national review of the uniformity and effectiveness of current standards or regulations to deliver energy efficient alterations, additions or retrofits
• A national information register of materials that support industry capacity to understand, implement and comply with the energy efficiency provisions of the National Construction Code.

Phase two, from March next year, will develop and trial practical strategies to address problems wherever they occur in the construction cycle.

“These strategies will be identified in phase one and could include activities as broad as industry capacity building, changes to policy or regulations, or voluntary guidelines or standards,” explained Harrington.

A large team of consultants from pitt&sherry and Swinburne will conduct workshops across Australia during November and December to gather information for the NEEBP review.

Following the workshops the team will provide focussed, practical recommendations covering how government and industry can improve energy efficiency in buildings throughout Australia.

The consulting team from pitt&sherry and Swinburne is currently contacting those involved in the building cycle, including concept and design, assessment and approvals, building, fit-out and handover.

A national online survey is being distributed, followed by invitations to participate in the workshops and/or one-on-one surveys.

NEEBP, funded through the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, is being led by the South Australian government on behalf of all states and territories.

Becoming involved in the National Energy Efficiency in Buildings Project

There are four ways to participate, but don’t limit yourself to one.

• Come along to a workshop. See the workshop schedule here. Tell us you’re coming at RSVP [at] @pittsh.com.au)
• Complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NEEBP  from Monday 25 November to 13 December 2013
• Send a written submission (it can be as long or as short as you like) to consultation [at] pittsh.com.au) by 13 December 2013
• If you can’t make it to a workshop, tell us you are interested, or request a meeting or conversation at NEEBP-stakeholder [at] pittsh.com.au

An Issues Paper has been prepared as a conversation starter – to download the paper click here.

Note that update seminars for the Building Code of Australia will take place around Australia in 2014 – find out more here.