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Committee activities (inquiries and reports)Sustainable Cities
August 2005 © Commonwealth of Australia 2005 ISBN 0 642 78665 5 (printed version) Contents
ForewordAustralia, like other countries around the world, is facing an immense challenge - to create sustainable cities for the future. As one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with water shortages, transport congestion and high energy demands, Australia must take action now to address how our cities might develop in the future. This committee’s vision is for Australian cities that are vibrant and healthy – environmentally, socially and economically. Working towards this goal is not the responsibility of governments alone. It is the responsibility of all Australians and must be a priority for all Australians. The committee was heartened to see the commitment and dedication displayed by many individuals and organisations. What is missing is coordinated and concerted action. This committee believes that that there is a need for the Australian Government to assume a leadership role. Accordingly, the committee’s most important recommendations concern what form such leadership might take. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage of the 40 th Parliament began this inquiry. The current committee recognised the important work the previous committee undertook and chose to continue the inquiry. On behalf of the committee of the 41 st Parliament, I would like to thank the previous committee for its important contribution, and particularly the Chair, the Hon Bruce Billson MP.
Dr Mal Washer Chair Membership of the Committee41 st Parliament
40th Parliament
Committee Secretariat
Terms of ReferenceThe Committee will inquire into and report on issues and policies related to the development of sustainable cities to the year 2025, particularly:
List of abbreviations
List of recommendations3 Governance and policy frameworks – developing a national approachRecommendation 1The committee recommends that the Australian Government:
Recommendation 2The committee recommends that all new relevant Australian Government policy proposals be evaluated as to whether they would impact on urban sustainability and if so, be assessed against the Australian Sustainability Charter and the COAG agreed sustainability targets. Recommendation 3The committee recommends that:
4 Planning and settlement patternsRecommendation 4The committee recommends that the Department of Transport and Regional Services raise with the Development Assessment Forum the proposal to extend membership of the forum to representatives from the Department of Environment and Heritage and the CSIRO. 5 TransportRecommendation 5The committee recommends that the Department of Transport and Regional Services, in consultation with the Department of the Environment and Heritage, investigate options to extend the Roads to Recovery programme to include other modes of transport as a step towards including sustainability in the funding criteria. Recommendation 6The committee recommends that:
Recommendation 7The committee recommends that the provision of Australian Government transport infrastructure funds include provision of funding specifically for sustainable public transport infrastructure for suburbs and developments on the outer fringes of our cities. Recommendation 8The committee recommends that the Australian Government review the current FBT concessions for car use with a view to removing incentives for greater car use and extending incentives to other modes of transport. Recommendation 9The committee recommends that the Australian Government review the tariff policy on four wheel drive vehicles with a view to increasing the tariff rate on four wheel drive vehicles, except for primary producers and others who have a legitimate need for four wheel drive capability. Recommendation 10The committee recommends that the Australian Government provide adequate funding to develop new programmes and support existing programmes, such as TravelSmart and the National Cycling Strategy, that promote and facilitate public and active transport options. Recommendation 11The committee recommends that the Department of Transport and Regional Services investigate developing emission standards for older vehicles and work with the States and Territories with a view to instituting mandatory testing and reporting at point of sale. 6 WaterRecommendation 12The committee recommends that COAG, as part of the National Water Initiative, fund an education campaign educating the public about the benefits, economics and safety of using recycled water. Recommendation 13The committee recommends that the National Water Commission, in consultation with the States and Territories and the public, prepare an independent and transparent report on water options for each of the Australian capital cities and major regional centres. Recommendation 14The committee recommends that the Department of the Environment and Heritage undertake a public education campaign to increase community awareness of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme. Recommendation 15The committee recommends that the Australian Government ensure research and development regarding water resource management takes into account Water Sensitive Urban Design principles. Recommendation 16The committee recommends that the Australian Government commission research, either as part of the National Water Initiative or separately, to consider the economic viability and environmental benefits of decentralised water management systems. 7 Building design and managementRecommendation 17The committee recommends that the Australian Government encourage the States and Territories to mandate disclosure of the energy efficiency and greenhouse performance of residences at point of sale and point of lease. Recommendation 18The committee recommends that the Australian Government, possibly through the CSIRO, investigate the value of a mass balance analysis for Australia. Recommendation 19The committee recommends that the Australian Government, in consultation with the Housing Industry of Australia, CSIRO and other industry and scientific bodies, investigate the establishment of a ‘sustainable building material’ labelling system. Recommendation 20The committee recommends that the Australian Government encourage the States and Territories to put in place a regime whereby approval for major residential and commercial renovations is conditional upon meeting energy efficiency and greenhouse performance requirements. Recommendation 21The committee recommends that the Department of the Environment and Heritage and the Australian Building Codes Board work with industry groups to raise awareness among builders, architects and developers of the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable building practices, including reusing and recycling building materials. Recommendation 22The committee recommends that the Australian Building Codes Board develop a nationally consistent building ratings tool that takes into account the range of environmental and sustainability factors dealt with by existing codes. Recommendation 23The committee recommends that the Australian Government increase the First Home Owner grant to $10,000 for those homes that meet a high standard of specified sustainability criteria and that these criteria be:
Recommendation 24The committee recommends that those States and Territories that do not have a 5 star rating system implement one as a priority. Recommendation 25The committee recommends that Australian Government departments and agencies that own property take steps to improve the sustainability of those buildings, at least to the 5 star rating, and that departments and agencies that rent property consider measures to improve building efficiency when seeking tenancy agreements. 8 EnergyRecommendation 26The committee recommends that the Australian Government double the photovoltaic rebate to further encourage the uptake of photovoltaic systems. Recommendation 27The committee recommends that the Australian Government further develop its commitment to energy sustainability, particularly in the area of increasing the use of renewable energy. Recommendation 28The committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the National Framework for Energy Efficiency, examine the economic and environmental benefits of decentralised energy delivery and encourage investment in this area. Recommendation 29The committee recommends the Australian Government investigate US and German initiatives in the area of solar energy generation and purchase, and, where appropriate, implement or emulate them. 9 Research and FeedbackRecommendation 30The committee recommends that the Australian Government:
Recommendation 31The committee recommends that, with reference to the Swedish model of environmental objectives, the Australian Government:
Recommendation 32The committee recommends that Australia investigate opportunities to establish a Sustainable Cities network across Australia and Asia, and extend its regional and international commitment to urban sustainability through avenues such as:
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