Randwick City Greens Mayor is disappointed by news that developers of new flats will now not need to install grey water reuse systems to meet the State Government's 40% water reduction target.

The Mayor's concern over the Government back flip is in line with other recent criticism from the Greens that the major political parties should not be accepting donations from developers.

Cr Matson said in a Mayoral Minute adopted by the Council last Tuesday night,

"However I have been advised that under the BASIX model for multi-unit development, due to commence 1 July 2005, it will be sufficient for units to meet the minimum water reduction by installing a range of water efficient fixtures and appliances. Water reuse systems (i.e. grey water reuse) will not be required to meet the minimum target, however they will remain an option."

Greens Councillor Bradley Hughes observed:

"Grey water re-use systems allow for water from basins, sinks, showers and washing machines to be treated for re-use for the such purposes as watering outdoor landscaping and garden areas. This results in significant savings of our valuable clean drinking and washing water."

The Mayor has criticised the Government for "bowing to pressure from the development industry". He elaborated in the Mayoral Minute,

"The ability to nominate white goods to meet the prescribed target is only available for multi-unit developments and has come about due to lobbying by the Property Council and others in the development industry who sighted costs and lack of guidance as the primary reasons to require a concession from the Government."

COUNCIL RESOLUTION 10-5-05

(By Mayor, Cr M. Matson) that:

a) the Mayor write to the Minister for Planning on behalf of Council expressing our concern regarding the apparent concession that has been made with respect to water efficient white goods counting towards the BASIX water savings score; and

b) further, Council seeks confirmation that government and industry guidelines necessary for the successful implementation and maintenance of grey water reuse systems will be fast tracked, so as a review of BASIX may occur in the near future to lift the minimum requirement and enable grey water and other such reuse systems to become an integral part of multi-unit living.


BACKGROUND

BASIX - the Building Sustainability Index is an initiative of the NSW State Government towards achieving prescribed energy and water conservation targets for residential buildings. BASIX was first introduced by the State Government in July 2004 and applied to all new single and dual occupancy dwellings in Sydney. From 1 July 2005, BASIX will also apply to all new multi-unit residential developments in Sydney.

BASIX ensures that each dwelling design meets the NSW Government's targets of a 40% reduction in water consumption and a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, compared with the average home. The greenhouse target will increase to 40% from July 2006. Compliance with these targets is demonstrated through the completion of a BASIX assessment and the issuing of a BASIX Certificate.