Public consultations will be held across the country on the next stage of plans for the mandatory disclosure of residential building energy, water and greenhouse performance.
This initiative is a commitment by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to investigate the benefits and costs of implementing legislation which would require that information on a property’s energy, water and greenhouse performance be disclosed when a property is placed on the market for sale or rent.
An overview of the regulatory options to be discussed includes a range of ways for such information to be assessed and provided from a full thermal assessment such as that currently operating in the ACT, to a simple checklist such as the one used in Queensland and several methods in between.
The outcomes of the public consultations will help government determine the best way forward in providing credible and consistent information to householders that may assist them in factoring in potential running costs and environmental impacts into what is generally, the largest-ever purchase decision for Australians.
A Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement has been prepared, which analyses a range of options and discusses the costs and benefits of residential mandatory disclosure.
The findings from the public consultation sessions will be used to refine the analysis and guide the final decision on mandatory disclosure.
Further information regarding the Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement on Residential Mandatory Disclosure and the consultation sessions can be found at http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/submissions/residential-building-disclosure.
For those in regional areas unable to attend metropolitan sessions, separate web seminars will be available.
For further information regarding the public consultation sessions or the web refer to http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/submissions.aspx
