Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill Passed

04-Jul-2010

 Australian, state and territory government energy ministers approved the parameters of the new disclosure scheme for office building energy efficiency in November 2009. The new legislation to implement the scheme was passed by the Australian Parliament on 24 June 2010. It is anticipated that the requirement to disclose information will commence around October 2010.  The Government will make this date known and finalise the regulations of the scheme in the coming weeks.

What this means for Commerical Building Owners

The new scheme will require building owners to:

• Disclose a valid Building Energy Efficiency Certificate to prospective buyers and lessees at the point of sale and lease of office space over 2,000 square metres.
• The certificate will include a National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Energy base building star rating, an assessment of the lighting energy efficiency of tenancies and some suggestions on how to improve the building's energy efficiency
• Certificates will remain valid for 12 months and, once legislation is in place, owners who don't comply will risk a fine or prosecution.

Commonwealth legislation is now being developed to give effect to the scheme in the second half of 2010. Further details on the implementation of this measure will be provided on this site.

In preparation for the scheme's implementation, we encourage all building owners to contact us should you have any questions about the transition.

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