Advocating for residential strata: an overdue focus on energy efficiency

November marked a significant event for energy-conscious communities, with Melbourne hosting the 2024 Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) Buildings Energy Performance Summit.

This year, the event cast a much-needed spotlight on a long-overlooked area: residential strata.

For years, the challenge of improving energy efficiency in strata buildings has been dismissed as “too hard.” However, change may finally be in the air.

With one in four Victorians already living in residential strata, and the government’s Housing Statement proposing 25 new activity centres, the number of apartment dwellers is set to soar.

And, whether embraced or not, this growth demands urgent attention to sustainability in residential strata. 

At the very least, the hope is that new developments will integrate basic sustainable features. Take, for instance, drying clothes on balconies – a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to energy-hungry dryers.

Despite its benefits, many owners’ corporations oppose the practice, citing concerns about aesthetics. After all, few really want “tighty-whities” on public display! A simple solution, such as opaque balcony barriers, could satisfy all parties, yet transparent designs remain the norm in new builds.

Beyond these simple fixes, more ambitious energy-saving measures are gaining traction. Transitioning away from gas is a prime example, with some initiatives helping lot owners install induction cooktops or supporting owners’ corporations in adopting electric hot water systems.

As a representative of Owners Corporation Network (OCN), I had the privilege of speaking at the summit, where I outlined the regulatory context for owners’ corporations.

Unfortunately, a persistent lack of understanding about how strata-title properties operate continues to hinder progress. In one memorable exchange (outside of the conference) a senior utilities provider incorrectly described residential strata as “not owning the ground.”

This highlights the knowledge gap among service providers and policymakers - a gap that must be addressed for meaningful change.

While challenges remain, the growing focus on energy efficiency in residential strata is a step in the right direction.

For those looking to stay informed about these and other strata-related issues, I encourage you to subscribe for free to the OCN Strata Newsletter & Events to receive insights each month, such as notifications of webinars on key topics at www.ocn.org.au 

Together, we can build a future where sustainable living is woven into the fabric of all homes – strata included. •