Sustainable Development

The new Building Act requires consideration be given to sustainable development and effects of buildings on health.

The Department will work with the Ministry for the Environment and local government to actively contribute to the government's work on Sustainable Cities and the Urban Design Protocol, which are part of the Sustainable Development for New Zealand Programme of Action.

A key component of this will be issues around building design and construction that take a broader 'whole of lifecycle' perspective in terms of resource use, including energy efficiency.

The Department will also begin a comprehensive review of the Building Code to ensure it meets the purpose and principles of the new Act.