Building a house using the 5 Star standard.
From Minister for the Environment, John Thwaites
Victorians will be leaders in sustainable living with 5 Star homes that use about half the amount of energy and a quarter less water than the typical home.
5 Star homes have shown that we can make an important difference to the health of our environment by the way we live.
Until now, Victorian homes have generated a third of all Australia’s greenhouse pollution from the residential sector – and that is contributing to changes in our climate, with more bushfires and severe droughts.
5 Star homes will make a big difference.
Within 5 years, 5 Star homes will reduce greenhouse pollution in Victoria by more than 600,000 tonnes. That’s equivalent to removing 140,000 cars from our roads.
The new standard also includes a range of important water saving features so that we have enough water for our population growth.
Five Star homes are a great way to save energy, save water and save money.
And they are making Victoria a sustainable state.
From the Minister for Planning, Rob Hulls
Widespread support for the 5 Star standard is evidence that our communities are changing their attitude towards environmental sustainability. Sustainability means liveability now and for the future. It means managing our built environment to meet the needs of today, while protecting the rights of tomorrow.
Melbourne will grow by more than 620,000 households by the year 2030. If we are to make sure that we do not leave the cupboard bare for future generations, sustainability must start at home. Victorians are increasingly demanding materials, techniques and products that reduce the environmental impact of their homes.
However, it is clear that the environment is not the only beneficiary of the new 5 Star standard. Consumers will reap many benefits from the standard as well.
5 Star will deliver higher quality and more comfortable homes with lower running costs, at the same time as reducing greenhouse pollution and stimulating economic and employment growth for Victoria.
5 Star can be easily achieved through a number of options and the standard can apply to any type of house. 5 Star houses may include a number of water saving and energy efficient features ranging from better orientation and improved window frames, to how the home is shaded and draught proofed.
As the standard is performance-based rather than prescriptive, designers, builders and home owners have flexibility and choice about how to design and construct a 5 Star house. This will encourage innovation and help to maximise the environmental benefits of the standard.
The result is that houses are higher quality, more comfortable and healthier places to live. Houses that can be up to 5 degrees warmer in winter and 10 degrees cooler in summer, contributing significantly to improved occupant comfort.
5 Star is also an important change for the building industry, providing it with the means to actively respond to the challenge of climate change, benefiting consumers, the environment and the Victorian economy.
An additional benefit to the building industry is the economic gains the 5 Star standard will deliver. Studies forecast the potential to create up to 1,100 new jobs in Victoria.
I am proud that Victoria is the first state in Australia to introduce a 5 Star standard as it will bring a new level of innovative and creative housing design, resulting in higher quality, more comfortable, affordable and energy efficient housing for Victoria.
Melbourne is the world’s most liveable city. The 5 Star standard will help us also have the world’s most liveable homes.
