Ceiling insulation

Common Capital has released a report monitoring and evaluating the ACT Government’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard.

Introduced in April 2023, the Standard requires residential rental properties with inadequate ceiling insulation to upgrade to the standard typically installed in new homes. Better ceiling insulation, the report states, can reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, and keep properties warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The Standard will be phased in over four years: most properties will be required to be compliant from November 2026.

The report found that the Standard was delivered on time and within budget. Further data and funding are needed for a comprehensive future evaluation.

The Standard had no observable impact on rental prices or property availability, the report found. Initial compliance costs were higher than expected in the first eight months, but decreased as more certified installers entered the market. Housing sales data does not yet reflect anecdotal reports of landlords considering selling their properties due to the Standard.

“Contrary to the rhetoric of many conservative commentators, our evidence shows that improving rental insulation standards does not lead to landlords taking homes off the market and prices rising,” Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, said. “These reforms are making life better for renters.”

Maria Edwards, CEO of the Real Estate Institute of the ACT (REIACT), said that real estate agents have navigated significant cost increases for landlords – averaging $5,190 per property, more than double the $2,388 initially estimated – because the Government’s financial modelling excluded electrical safety requirements.

“The additional expense in a cost-of-living crisis has no doubt pushed some landlords over the edge, and they have decided to sell,” Ms Edwards said.

Landlord compliance with disclosure and insulation obligations has been high: 85 to 88 per cent of advertisements accurately reflect compliance status. However, more data and possibly an audit program are needed to verify the quality of compliance and insulation upgrades.

Ms Edwards was concerned that the report’s reliance on self-reported data from privately managed landlords might not give the full picture. REIACT’s monitoring of advertisements showed very low compliance in advertising from properties not managed by real estate agents, which suggested overall compliance with the standards may be lower in the private sector, she said.

Mr Rattenbury said the report endorses the government’s work to make Canberra a fairer place to live for renters. 

Joel Dignam, executive director of Better Renting and former Greens organiser, praised the reforms, noting that ACT renters reported better insulation and comfort than renters in other regions.

“We’ve heard directly from ACT renters describing the difference it makes when they can turn off the heater and their home doesn’t get cold again straight away,” Mr Dignam said. “In a cold winter, and with rising energy costs, basic standards like ceiling insulation go a long way to help cut bills and keep rental homes warmer and healthier.”

The ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme provides zero-interest loans to landlords of up to $15,000 to upgrade insulation or install efficient electric appliances. Through the free Renters Home Energy Program, an expert assessor can provide tailored draught-proofing and energy saving solutions for renters.

ACT Labor promises free public transport

ACT Labor has promised to trial fare-free Fridays for public transport, which they say would save Canberrans hundreds of dollars on their travel costs.

Travel on all light rail services and bus services would be free from 5:30am to 11pm, and on light rail from 6am to 1am on Friday and into Saturday morning.

Friday is the fourth busiest day for public transport use, according to Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) figures.

The trial would be implemented once the new MyWay+ system is live in November. Only those using MyWay+ would travel for free, to encourage Canberrans to try out the new ticketing system free of charge.

Labor states that the initiative would save a nuclear family around $1,000 a year, and benefit local businesses by bringing more people into town centres on Fridays.

Ryan Hemsley, chair of the PTCBR, said: “I’m sure plenty of people will appreciate this cost-of-living measure. But we know better services is what really gets more people onto public transport. We’re pleased to see Labor, Liberal and the Greens going into this election with policies to improve transport options in our city.”

Phonics

The ACT Government has released its implementation plan for phase one of the Strong Foundations literacy and numeracy program.

The Year 1 phonics check will be introduced in stages, beginning with 26 public schools this term. The government will give schools more funding to buy teaching resources in kindergarten to year two, and provide all public schools with better literacy and numeracy assessment tools.

Parents and carers will be given information, resources and fact sheets.

The ACT Government has started implementing the eight recommendations of the Literacy and Numeracy Education Expert Panel’s Final Report, education minister Yvette Berry says.

Orientation and gender question in census

The Albanese Government will set a new topic of ‘sexual orientation and gender’ for inclusion in the 2026 Census.

These questions will only be asked of people aged 16 and over, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics has told the Government that people will have the option not to answer.

The ABS did not recommend a topic on variations of sex characteristics (intersex status) in the Census, and it will not be included.

The Government will introduce a legislative instrument to implement these changes before the end of the year.

VET

The ACT Government has released five Industry Action Plans which it claims will build a more flexible, responsive, and future-focused VET sector.

The plans focus on building and construction, renewables and sustainability, experience, advanced technology, and caring, skills and training minister Chris Steel said.

The plans are part of the Skilled to Succeed agenda, and have been developed in consultation with industry and training providers.

The ACT Government aims to grow the ACT’s workforce to 300,000 jobs by 2030. The ACT Government will also provide $3.8 million in 2024-25 to fund more than 600 new Skilled Capital places across more than 20 courses to address critical skills needs. These places are open for enrolment.

Disasters

The ACT Government has introduced its first Disaster Resilience Strategy 2024–30 to minimise losses from bushfires, floods, storms, and security threats.

Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, said: “The ACT Government is safeguarding Canberrans against the growing threats of climate change and other hazards.”

The strategy was developed after public consultation with input from government, industry, and community groups.

Electric vehicles

Five new electric vehicles have joined the City Services fleet in time for World EV Day today.

The vehicles include a ute, two tipper trucks, one litter picking truck, a delivery van, and four electric passenger vehicles.

“These electric vehicles are assisting in everyday city maintenance activities,” a government spokesperson said. “They may be spotted around the city assisting teams in getting mowing fleet and operators to site, cleaning shops and roadsides of litter and assisting the crews undertaking horticultural maintenance including pruning, mulching, collecting fallen branches and physical weed removal in urban open space.

“Our maintenance crews are also using electric vehicles to support our street sweeping efforts and to scrub grime from footpaths. This helps reduce the need for pressure washing surfaces outside of the autumn leaf season.”

Electric vehicles produce less noise, so they can be used in more locations early in the morning without disturbing nearby residents.

The ACT Government has 27 electric vehicle charging units.

The vehicle trials have been funded through the ACT Government’s Social Cost of Carbon Fund and Zero Emission Government Fund.