1200 Building's Program

NABERS assists in transforming Melbourne buildings

NABERS ratings are to be used extensively with the Victorian government and Melbourne City Council's new initiative - the 1200 Buildings program. This program is Australia’s first targeted approach of retrofitting non-residential buildings within the city of Melbourne. Leading the way forward through competitive advantage, the City of Melbourne is set to run the program until 2020 and in doing so creating an additional 8000 jobs and generating $2 billion in investment.

Retrofitting existing building stock is one of the most efficient means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions for properties. Short pay-back period, lower operating costs and improved property value are some of benefits achieved through retrofitting.

1200 Buildings has established funding arrangements that facilitate the programs' expansion and success. Victoria has passed legislation that enables the City Council to recoup targeted retrofit funding through rates collection. Based upon the American PACE model, the funding arrangements are an Australian first and are expected to provide a substantial economic boost for the city.

Participants in 1200 Buildings will have access to competitive funding and will be recognised as leaders within the business community. Using the NABERS rating tool within the program will assist in developing a case study for the improved performance and the actual outcome in improvements for buildings.

The financial performance from retrofitting measured by the NABERS rating tool will provide buildings with the opportunity to substantiate a cost for improvement against the NABERS star rating whilst also generating a cost savings approximation per square metre.

NABERS ratings provide a star result out of 5. Buildings at the lower end of performance up to 2 stars are able to generate significant improvements in energy efficiency with excellent payback periods, simple activities include lighting and HVAC retrofitting. Retrofitting NABERS rated building from 2 to 3.5 stars may result in higher costs for retrofitting with a predicted cost of approximately $200 per square meter and costs savings of 30%. As the NABERS star increases up to 4 stars the cost of retrofitting is expected to reduce slightly, with cost between $50 and $200 per square meter with an average costs savings of approximately 20%.



More information:
Green Pass NABERS ratings