Zero net carbon homes to be built in Victoria

The Victorian Government will partner with three building companies to develop energy-efficient, sustainable homes for sale in Melbourne’s growth areas. Stockland, Metricon Homes and SJD Homes in partnership with Parklea will take part in the $2.18 million Zero Net Carbon Homes pilot program which aims to drive large-scale development of high-quality, efficient housing that is more accessible and affordable for Victorians.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said, “This pilot is an opportunity to work with the housing industry to design and build better homes for Victorians.

“We’re supporting Victorian businesses to develop new homes that provide a lifetime of lower energy costs.”

Designed to achieve a higher House Energy Rating, features could include extra ceiling and wall insulation, double glazing, high-efficiency heating and cooling, water heating and lighting systems, and rooftop solar panels. Third-party as-built verification checks will be undertaken to ensure consumers get what they were promised.

It is estimated that two million new homes will be built in Victoria between 2018 and 2050, and Sustainability Victoria (SV) said “the volume housing market presents one of the biggest, most readily available and untapped opportunities for emission reductions, cost savings, improved health and wellbeing, and productivity in the residential sector”. According to modelling by SV, these homes could almost halve energy costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions by around six tonnes a year.

The pilot program is part of Victoria’s plan to reach a 2050 zero net emissions target.

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