Housing - energy efficiency

Extract from Hansard
[COUNCIL — Tuesday, 8 November 2011]
p9000a-9000a
Hon Lynn MacLaren; Hon Peter Collier

HOUSING — ENERGY EFFICIENCY

993. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Energy:

(1) Recognising that new housing is required to meet energy efficiency standards, what measures is the
government implementing to increase the energy efficiency of existing housing?

(2) What incentives can the government make available to encourage improvements in the energy
efficiency of rental housing?

(3) Is the minister aware of research that shows that since the Australian Capital Territory introduced
mandatory energy disclosure for all houses on the market, in 1999, houses with higher energy efficiency
ratings have commanded higher prices?

(4) Does the government intend to introduce mandatory energy disclosure for all houses on the market in
Western Australia; and, if so, when?

That was originally addressed to the Minister for Commerce.

Hon PETER COLLIER replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.

(1) The National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, which the Western Australian government is
implementing, provides for a range of relevant measures, including setting minimum energy efficiency
standards for water heating, air conditioning, and major household appliances. The government
encourages homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of water heating through the solar water
heating subsidy scheme, which offers rebates towards the cost of gas-boosted solar water heating. The
hardship efficiency program provides household energy efficiency assessments and education on ways
to save energy for people found to be in financial hardship. The program also provides for minor
retrofits, such as low-flow showerheads and energy-efficient light bulbs, and for the replacement of old,
inefficient refrigerators with energy-efficient models. In addition, the government is working with other
jurisdictions on a proposal that is looking at phasing in the mandatory disclosure of energy, greenhouse
and water performance of residential buildings at the time of sale or lease. The government will
consider any further energy efficiency measures in the context of the strategic energy initiative.

(2) The government is leading by example by initiating a project to improve the energy efficiency of water
heating in public housing. The project will also look at other energy efficiency measures for public
housing.

The government’s Switch the Future campaign aims to assist all householders, including those in rental
properties, to be more efficient in their homes. Eligible householders living in rental properties can also
access assistance measures under the hardship efficiency program.

(3) The Office of Energy, which represents Western Australia in the development of national energy
efficiency policy for housing, is aware of this research.

(4) As mentioned, the government is working with other jurisdictions to develop a proposal for phasing in
the mandatory disclosure of residential building energy efficiency. The government will make a
decision on its introduction once the policy proposal has been fully developed and the costs and benefits
have been assessed. It is expected the decision will be made towards the end of 2012.