Plan to make most of winter warmth

Canberra Times
Saturday 19/6/2010 Page: 12

Canberra's construction sector has warned ACT Government proposals to mandate sunlight access in new housing estates could push tip development costs. Under proposed changes to the Territory Plan, 95% of buildings on single-dwelling blocks in new estates would need to have direct access to winter sunlight. The changes would also ensure that all buildings on new blocks would not be able to cast shadows over neighbouring blocks by more than the shadow created by a 1.8m boundary fence. According to the Government, the policies will ensure new housing developments are able to make the most of solar energy.

ACT Planning Minister Andrew Barr said the new policies were part of the Government's drive to make Canberra a more environmentally friendly city. "Dealing with climate change is the biggest medium to long-term challenge we face," Mr Barr said. "Although there's no quick fix, we need to keep working to reduce our impact on our environment, reduce the impact of climate change and ensure our city is best able to cope with those aspects of climate change which are now inevitable. "These policies will help its achieve this."

Property Council of Australia ACT executive director Catherine Carter said yesterday increasing solar access could "improve liveability," but that had to be balanced with housing affordability issues. "If the new draft variations lead to a requirement for larger block sizes or all blocks having a north-south access, then it will likely lead to greater land development costs due to the increased land areas involved," she said. Ms Carter said solar access was only part of the total equation in terms of issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate control."

"What's more important is the embedded energy and carbon in a building or in the sub-division process and the impact of that on greenhouse gas emissions." Master Builders ACT executive director John Miller said the proposed changes might mean "that some of the smaller blocks are not going to be suitable." "You're going to have to go tip a little bit in size to be able to get particular houses on these blocks to meet the requirements in terms of overshadowing and the like." The building industry and general public have until August 13 to comment on draft variation 301 to the Territory Plan (concerning the 95% of buildings needing to have winter sunlight). Draft variation 303 (relating to the shadows cast by buildings) will be issued next week, with the comment period to run until August 20.