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Building sustainability index - BASIX

Introduced as part of the NSW planning system, BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index), is a web-based planning tool that measures the potential performance of new homes against water, energy and thermal comfort indices. BASIX is administered by the Department of Planning.

BASIX requires all new homes in NSW to use up to 40% less potable water and produce up to 40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the average home. BASIX will also apply to alterations and additions to existing homes worth $50,000 or more.

The BASIX Energy target varies according to building type and location and the BASIX Water target incorporates regional variations such as soil type, climate, rainfall and evaporation rates.

Each development application for a residential dwelling -(a single dwelling or a multi-unit) must be submitted with a BASIX Certificate. A Certificate is issued once a BASIX assessment has been satisfactorily completed, using the on-line tool on the BASIX website:

The building applicant, (e.g. architect, builder, owner builder) is responsible for completing the assessment, ensuring the BASIX commitments are clearly marked on the plans, and submitting the BASIX Certificate with the development application.

For more information or to use the BASIX tool, visit www.basix.nsw.gov.au or phone the BASIX Help Line: 1300 650 908.

Protecting your privacy

BASIX Water and Energy Monitoring Project

Sydney Water and the Department of Planning are undertaking a monitoring and evaluation study of completed BASIX-compliant homes to assess the level of water savings achieved.

To facilitate this study, Sydney Water will receive information from BASIX certificates, excluding identifying data such as names or contact details, from the Department of Planning. The information will be cross-matched with consumption data already collected by Sydney Water for billing purposes.

Sydney Water will use the results of this study for demand management and water conservation plans and policies and infrastructure design parameters. It will also provide information to the Department of Planning to help it assess how BASIX is delivering on its sustainability objectives.

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (the "Regulation") requires applications for certain types of residential development to be accompanied by a BASIX certificate, therefore this information must be supplied. However, persons may choose not to have their project information used in the monitoring and evaluation study.

Persons not wishing to have their project information used in this study or persons wishing to access and/or correct their personal information should contact the Department via email on basix@planning.nsw.gov.au.

Sydney Water protects your privacy. Refer to the Privacy statement.

[Source: NSW Department of Planning]