CBD program to widen its scope

An independent review recommending the widening of mandatory disclosure for the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program has been welcomed by government and the industry.

In the first Parliamentary sitting week for 2016, the Minister for Resources and Energy Josh Frydenberg and the Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt welcomed the release of the review and announced that public consultations on the proposals will begin this month.

The CBD Program is a key part of the National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP), which aims to increase Australia’s energy productivity by 40 per cent by 2030. Commercial buildings currently account for approximately 10 per cent of Australia’s energy consumption.

The CBD Program requires most sellers and lessors of office space of 2000 sqm to obtain a Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC) before the building goes on the market for sale, lease or sublease.

The review has recommended lowering the threshold from 2000 sqm to 1000sqm. Over the past four years the CBD program has delivered savings of two million tonnes of greenhouse gases and $44 million in energy efficiency benefits. The lowering of the threshold will deliver around $60 million of benefits to consumers through to 2019.

The Property Council has long advocated for this change as it will allow owners and tenants to make more informed choices about energy efficiency options.

Another enhancement recommended by the review is to extend the length of time an office lighting assessment (known as a Tenancy Lighting Assessment) is valid, from one to five years.

For more information on the review or to take part in the public consultation, click here.