Sustainability and the Building Code

Outline of presentation The BCA in context The ABCB's role Adaptation Abatement The regulatory challenge

Context Extreme events and the Building Code Adaptation Abatement Total number of buildings 9 million + New buildings 2% (of total) per annum

Extreme events Current BCA Design events for buildings as annual probability of exceedance Importance LevelNon CyclonicCyclonic 1(Low risk to life)1:1001:200 2(Normal)1:500 3(Contain crowd)1:1000 4(Post disaster function)1:2000

How does the BCA fit into the sustainability space

ABCB "…to address issues relating to health, safety, amenity and sustainability by providing for efficiency in the design, construction and performance of buildings through the BCA and the development of effective regulatory systems."

Building Code New buildings and new building work Change of use Retrospective regulation 'rare' Proportional requirements Health, safety, amenity and sustainability Balance

Building Code STATE & TERRITORY BUILDING LAW TECHNICAL STANDARD ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Administration Appeals Registrations Alterations & additions Building standard STATE AND TERRITORY SAFETY LAW STATE & TERRITORY PLANNING

Coverage (climate related) Wind Rain Bushfires Termites Extreme temperature Ground movement

Current work program Resilience of Building Code –Given current climate change projections Impact of Climate Change on Cyclones Bushfire Standard AS3959

Abatement

Adaptation

Key issues Current standards effective? Existing buildings? Relationship between building and planning

There is a need to strike a balance between what the community expects and what it is prepared to pay for. Striking a Balance

The ABCB's Gatekeeper Role Valuable role Cost effective and efficient regulations

Delivering an Accountable Code The red tape dragon must be tamed An accountable gatekeeper is essential to do this ABCB has a clear mandate to deliver good regulation

The BCA The goal of the BCA is to enable the achievement of nationally consistent, minimum necessary standards of relevant health, safety and sustainability objectives efficiently. This goal is applied so that- –There is a rigorously tested rationale for the regulation; and –The regulation generates benefits to society greater than the costs; and –The competitive effects of the regulation have been considered; and –There is no regulatory or non-regulatory alternative that would generate higher net benefits. The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments. William E. Borah (1865 – 1940)