[Greens-Media] Solar test for development [Scanned]

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT GREENS MLA DEB FOSKEY MEDIA RELEASE
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11 Aug 08

Solar test for development

Deb Foskey, Greens MLA, called today for a solar test to be applied to
all new developments in the ACT.

"Now that we know the benefits of passive solar design in our living and
work spaces, it is time for the planning approval process to catch up
and include building orientation and access to sunshine in its
development approval process," said Dr  Foskey today. 

"For instance, the development proposed for the Burnie Court site in
Lyons, as described in Draft Variation No 288, is laid out in such a way
that it makes poor use of the free energy of the sun."

"At the moment, the Territory Plan says that overshadowing is allowed so
long as it allows a minimum of three hours in some part of the living
areas of existing dwellings.  That's a pretty minimal requirement"

"The Lyons Estate (nee Burnie Court) redevelopment is starting from
scratch, so there is no reason why every single dwelling should not have
good solar access."

"And what is the point of introducing solar feed-in laws if new
buildings don't allow occupiers and owners to benefit from them?"

"According to the concept plan quite a few of the buildings will get no
northern sun and others will be overshadowed by six and ten storey
buildings."

"We have to get smarter about planning and building if we want to reduce
our carbon footprint and our planning system has a key part to plan in
this process," said Dr Foskey. 

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MEDIA CONTACT Roland Manderson 62050551 or 0412241379 
  
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