Federal, state and territory building ministers have agreed on a series of national reforms to ensure the quality, liveability and effficiency of new Australian homes. From October 2023, all new homes will need to meet new minimum standards of accessibility and energy efficiency in many parts of the country.
Changes to the Building Code Board’s 2022 National Construction Code will reflect new standards for Liveable Housing Design, requiring all new homes to have basic minimum accessibility features – including a minimum of one step-free entrance and a toilet on every ground floor – as well as higher minimum energy efficiency ratings, from 6 to 7 star NaTHERS.
The Australian Institute of Architects says, “These practical improvements to Australia’s building code will support national efforts to reduce carbon emissions and builds a stronger legacy for residents, communities and the environment.”
As a strong advocate of “architecture for all”, the Institute’s national president Shannon Battisson said the new standards are only a minimum standard, and a “place to start”.
“We need to progress the standard to the benchmarks of Liveable Housing Australia’s gold and platinum standards,” Battisson said.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2018 disability survey, more than half a million Australians reported as requiring assistance with mobility alone. The 2021 Intergenerational Report has forecast that by 2060, 23 percent of the Australian population is projected to be over 65 years of age – a seven percent increase from current conditions.
“This all has major implications for our built environment, as especially as we ‘age in place’ and seek to remain active and independent as possible in our homes and community,” said Battisson. Enabling design will also take into account considerations such as wayfinding, light and noise to account for sensory, neurological and cognitive accessibility issues.
The NCC 2022 will commence on 1 May 2023, with a transition period to 1 October 2023.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
