Sustainability, accessibility headline NCC changes

We are on the brink of a new era for our industry, as we further embed sustainability and accessibility into the rules that dictate the way we build.

The latest edition of the National Construction Code, NCC 2022, was adopted in Victoria on 1 May 2023, with new energy efficiency, condensation management and livable housing requirements to be formally introduced on 1 October 2023.

These transitional arrangements were approved in Victoria to allow industry more time to get up to speed with the changes. Victorian builders will need to adapt the way they work to comply with these new requirements.

Ahead of the adoption of these new provisions, industry needs to get across what they entail and what they mean for both the builder and the consumer.

Energy efficiency and condensation management requirements

The energy efficiency of new homes will be enhanced, with the minimum level of thermal performance raised to 7 stars under the Nationwide House Energy

Rating Scheme (NatHERS). This is a great stride forward for housing in Victoria. Energy efficient homes are more comfortable to live in, cost less to heat and cool, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Victorian Government is offering builders and land developers rebates for the design and building of 7-star homes, through Sustainability Victoria.

A key component of these energy efficiency provisions are the new wholeof-home (WOH) requirements, which require an annual energy use budget to be met by new homes. This budget applies to the energy use of a home’s heating and cooling equipment, hot water systems, lighting and swimming pool and spa pumps.

These requirements take a holistic approach, allowing trading between the efficiency of energy-using equipment, as well as offsetting through any energy generated onsite. For example, renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar panels, can be installed to help keep a home’s energy use under the required budget.

Barriers to the installation of efficient electric hot water systems are also being removed, supporting those households that choose to go down the path of solar and an all-electric home.

By reducing the energy use of new houses and apartments, homes across Victoria will be cheaper to run, more comfortable to live in and more resilient to extreme weather.

New homes built in Victoria after 1 October 2023 will need to meet these new minimum energy efficiency standards. As always, Victorian Building Authority (VBA) inspectors will be reviewing and enforcing compliance with the new requirements in line with our risk-based selection criteria.

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) have also made changes to further decrease health risks associated with condensation in new homes. The changes help practitioners mitigate condensation risks, enhance ventilation and exhaust systems in homes and require greater vapour permeance of wall sarking. ABCB and VBA continue to research condensation performance

Construction

improvements.

Livable housing design requirements

Changes are being made to the way we design homes to improve accessibility and usability. The Livable Housing Standard means more housing options to meet the needs of aging Victorians and people with mobility-related disabilities. This will apply to new houses and apartments and includes:

• Providing step-free access to the home.

• Making doorways and hallways easier to use for people with reduced mobility.

• Clear circulation space for sanitary compartments.

• Wall reinforcing in the bathroom and sanitary compartments, to make it easier to install grabrails if needed in the future.

In certain circumstances, the relevant building surveyor can check building work against the previous edition of the NCC. This is to cater for designs that substantially commenced prior to the adoption dates of the new NCC. This depends on the specific circumstances of each project and is at the discretion of the relevant building surveyor, so it’s important builders speak with their relevant building surveyor for further guidance on specific projects.

Additional information on the changes is available on the VBA and ABCB websites and will be updated as more content is created, so I encourage you to look out for those resources.

With these landmark provisions commencing soon, we still have a lot of work to do. The VBA is confident that our ongoing efforts and collaboration with industry stakeholders, including the ABCB, will enable us to educate practitioners, support our building industry and maintain the safety and wellbeing of Victorians.

Andrew Cialini VBA State Building Surveyor