Following the recent announcement of changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 energy efficiency provisions, the NSW Government has announced the equivalent changes for NSW that will apply under BASIX.
The changes will mean that:
- ‘Thermal comfort target’ will be increased from the current 5.5-star NatHERS to 7-star minimum (equivalence).
- Energy consumption stringency increased, varying with building location and type. For example, a house in Western Sydney increases from a target of ‘BASIX 50’ up to ‘BASIX 70’.
- A new provision will be introduced to calculate and report the embodied emissions of building materials in the building. There is no specific target or benchmark, but information must be reported on the embodied emissions through a new calculator to be provided.
The thermal fabric and energy stringency increases will not apply to homes in the North Coast climate zones or to small apartment buildings up to 5 storeys.
There are no changes to the BASIX water standard.
This will be a significant step change for the energy efficiency provisions in NSW and will mean that once adopted all new homes, major renovations and extensions to homes and multi-dwellings, will need to be designed to the new higher standard.
When will the changes start?
The NSW Government has confirmed these changes will come into force on 1 October 2023 in line with the NCC 2022 energy and condensation provisions timeframe.
How will the changes apply?
The changes are being introduced as part of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022 (Sustainable Buildings SEPP). The Sustainable Buildings SEPP will replace the existing BASIX SEPP for residential buildings.
These changes are introduced to align with NCC 2022 energy reforms as part of the national commitment to a net-zero trajectory and the NSW Net-Zero Plan.
When can the changes be tested?
The advice from the NSW Government is that:
- the BASIX DIY tool is still under development.
- a complete BASIX ‘sandbox tool’ will be launched in late 2022 through the Planning Portal (Note: The existing BASIX tool will still be required to generate BASIX certificates for current projects).
- the NatHERS approved thermal modelling software packages are not expected to be updated and accredited until September 2022 or later, potentially as late as mid-2023 for some software providers.
It is important to note that NatHERS can only be used for the BASIX thermal performance target. The new NatHERS whole-of-home tool cannot be used for meeting the BASIX energy targets.
The lack of adequate modelling for the industry to determine the true impacts of the changes remains a major issue and one that HIA has raised with the Government regularly. HIA will continue to work with the Government to ensure timely access to fully operational rating tools prior to the start date.
Are there any transitional arrangements?
The changes will not apply to a Development Application or application for modification of a development consent made prior to 1 October 2023.
Projects with a BASIX certificate generated prior to 1 October 2023 will not need to generate a new BASIX certificate if the Development Application or Complying Development Certificate is lodged within the three-month BASIX certificate validity period.
Given the scope of the changes and NCC 2022 as a whole, HIA had sought a full 3 year transition period for the code. The recent decision is less than ideal in relation to the transition time given a fully operational tool is yet to be made available, however HIA hopes this will be available soon to allow industry to gauge the implications for new home designs.
HIA will continue to work with the NSW Government on an effective implementation plan to provide support to our members and the residential building industry in preparing for the changes ahead of them taking effect.
Where can I find more information?
HIA will produce further resources to support members in navigating the changes to BASIX in the coming weeks and months.
More information about the Sustainable Buildings SEPP is available here.
If you require assistance with this matters or would like additional information HIA members should contact the HIA Building Services team on 1300 650 620
Craig Jennion
Housing Industry Association
Executive Director - Hunter