Developers are increasingly marketing “green design”, but
experts say consumers need to look under the hood for “greenwashing”, as some
developers exaggerate the environmental benefits of new housing stock.
Off the back of sell-out success of major projects The
Commons, Nightingale and Mullum Creek, Melburnians are increasingly looking to
invest in eco housing.
But environmentalists say projects softly marketed as
“sustainable” are often not always as green as they seem and fail to reach
government standards on energy efficiency.
A CSIRO study conducted on 129 new homes last year showed
almost half leaked more than they should for their mandated-six star energy
rating.
Although projects may achieve high ratings in design stages,
a lack of follow-through during construction meant many fell short. The
Alternative Technology Association is calling for random audits, compliance
programs and penalties for those who fail to fulfil efficiency requirements.
Read Kirsten Robb’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Sustainable developments in question as off-the-plan buyers get greenwashed.”
