Infrastructure, cities and housing in focus post-election

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has congratulated Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Coalition on re-forming government at yesterday’s election.

Interim Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Cartlege said the government had campaigned strongly on a platform of infrastructure, cities and housing and the GBCA looked forward to continuing to work with them in the implementation of these policies.

“Our buildings and cities present an enormous opportunity to support a more ambitious decarbonisation agenda nationally that delivers productivity and efficiency dividends across the economy,” Mr Cartledge said.

“With a promised $100 billion infrastructure pipeline, now is the time to focus on how this can be realised in a way that helps build resilience and a low emissions future for not only the years, but the decades ahead.

“The Government’s continued commitment to expanding City Deals is welcome as it strengthens collaboration across governments and invests in the liveability and productivity of our communities. 

“The GBCA’s Carbon Positive Roadmap provides a framework to further leverage these investments collaboratively with industry to help Australia meet our international obligations and ease the transition to a low carbon future.

“The National Construction Code can raise the bar in how we build Australia’s homes, workplaces and public precincts and we stand ready to work collaboratively with government to take forward the reforms already underway.

“We urge a renewed impetus from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council in the implementation of the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings to strengthen the carbon and energy-efficiency requirements in the Code.

“The Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme will bring in new support for first home buyers, while the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation builds on its early work with the community housing sector to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.

“Ensuring this new housing is built to be sustainable is critically important to achieving the trifecta of health, environmental and economic benefits that green building offers.

“We thank the Government and Opposition for their consultation in the development of their respective policy agendas in the lead-up to the election. We look forward to working with the Government as it implements its priorities, and all parties and independents in the next Parliamentary term.”