This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
QUEENSLAND is rolling out the new building regulations under the National Construction Code 2022 through a phased implementation from 1 October 2023 to 1 May 2024.
The National Construction Code (NCC) will be brought out in stages across Queensland, after being delayed in Canberra until 2024.
“These Modern Homes standards mean positive outcomes for Queenslanders, and will make their homes more comfortable and cheaper to run for years to come,” said Mick de Brenni, minister for energy and public works.
“We have listened to advocates, industry and the community and our phased implementation plan balances the needs of industry to transition, alongside the community’s expectations that we adopt these improved standards.
Improved accessibility standards will be introduced from 1 October, with certain builds being given a broader transition time, including builds on smaller lots with a frontage of 12.5 metres or less.
The Queenslander architecture style will be exempt from a step-free entry.
With step-free regulations on new builds to significantly reduce or even avoid the cost of retrofitting when the mobility needs of homeowners change.
New houses and units from October this year will need to include the following accessibility features unless exempt:
- at least one step-free entry,
- wider internal doors (820-millimetre opening) and corridors (1000 millimetres wide),
- step-free access into a bathroom and shower,
- toilets on ground level (or entry level) must be accessible,
- NCC 2022 also requires all floors to grade to a floor waste, not just grade to the mandatory floor waste.
That state will introduce energy efficiency standards from 1 May 2024 for new builds, which is estimated to reduce energy builds by around $185 a year.
“It’s been over 10 years since the last residential energy-efficiency update to the National Construction Code in 2010. And it’s been over 10 years since the industry voluntarily promised to introduce accessibility standards with new homes,” said Gary Rake, CEO at the Australian Building Codes Board.
“The homes we’re building now are supposed to be good for 50 years – we need to think about the requirements of the next two and three generations. Every month we delay locks people into outcomes that are below the standard they should be.”
With the Australian Building Codes Board expects the Modern Homes standards will collectively add 1-2%to the cost of building new homes.
New houses and units from May next year will need to have a:
- 7-star rating (out of 10) for the building shell (roof, walls, windows, and floors). Energy efficiency features may include good orientation, better insulation and window design and a lighter coloured roof.
- whole-of-home energy use allowance that covers the energy use of the home’s major appliances and any on-site renewable energy such as a solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
While independent research cited by the CSIRO claims 7 star energy efficiency will increase a home’s sale price by almost 10%.
“Queensland is already well placed to meet the new 7-star energy-efficiency requirements –with the average home across the state already reaching 6.5 stars energy efficiency,” added de Brenni.
“With the availability of a 1-star credit for outdoor living areas, most builders won’t have any problems meeting the new requirements, and with the timeframe for compliance of energy efficiency requirements now May 1, 2024, we are allowing additional time to train in the new tools.
“We know over a third of Queensland homes already have rooftop solar to minimise their household energy consumption and save on energy bills, and Queensland has a natural advantage for solar energy, with new homeowners able to benefit from choosing rooftop solar with these building requirements.”
