DESIGN LESSONS

This section includes comments from the developer on the various issues regarding the project’s “green” deliverables.

• Government grants should be more progressive.  Providing subsidies to owner-occupiers only limits the possible application of some energy efficient elements, such as Photovoltaic Cells at the beginning of a project by developers.  At the time of construction it is usually not known whether the end purchaser would be an owner-occupier or an investor.  Faced with uncertainty, developers are reticent to include innovative energy efficiency measures that may not be understood by future purchasers.

• At Newington it was found that a majority of purchasers chose to buy at Newington for the urban design, proximity and value for money aspects rather than the energy efficient building aspects.

• Greater branding of the energy efficiency of the product could be an opportunity to explore.

• The passive energy efficient aspects of the design, i.e. orientation, materials, landscaping, etc are the easiest and most cost effective to employ.   Active energy efficient aspects (i.e. PV cells) are more expensive, but are more visible to purchasers.

• The general public appears to understand solar hot water, but they are yet to comprehend some of the other active efficiency devises (i.e. PV cells), indicating the need for greater branding/education.