BASIX Assessments
BASIX Assessment Services From Australian Engineering Specialists
Before embarking on construction or development, companies involved in residential construction need to have all their permits, certifications, and paperwork in order. One of the most important of these is the BASIX certification.
BASIX certifications are a government response to increasing community concerns about environmental damage, pollution, and related issues. Companies that earn certification prove in a number of ways that they comply with state and local laws concerning environmental protection and long term sustainability.
We help developers to understand the importance, as well as the process, of BASIX certification so that they can comply more effectively with the law and get projects started more quickly.
Overall, the goals of the BASIX program are to reduce water consumption and air pollution by 40 percent, while also ensuring that dwellings have a minimal thermal standard to help keep occupants warm in cooler temperatures.
What Is BASIX Certification?
This certificate is only a part of the paperwork necessary to approve a Development Application in NSW.
Since 2004, the Building Sustainability Index has served as the legal mandate that developers and their contractors must follow in construction. They enforce standards that reduce the use of potable water and limit polluting emissions.
The standards set by NSW are not uniform. Other states and territories may have different benchmarks and requirements
BASIX certification involves demonstrating compliance with selected NSW and local laws and regulations concerning:
- Water usage
- Thermal comfort
- Energy conservation
Certifications come in three main types: alterations/additions, multi-family dwelling, and single family dwellings. Each type has different standards that the applicant must agree to meet before earning certification from the government. Even basic formats may differ from one type to another.
The certificate covers a plethora of development and construction projects, including, but not limited to:
- Single residences
- Alterations or additions to residences
- Swimming pools and outdoor spas with a capacity of 40,000 litres or more
- Dual occupancy housing
- Conversion of space into “granny flats”
- Boarding houses, guest houses, and hostels
- Lodging and backpacker accommodations under 300 square metres
- Villas and townhouses
- Any type of apartments or other housing developments
Earning the certificate requires that the developer demonstrate the ability to meet localised benchmark percentages in water, energy, and other categories. These benchmarks differ from locale to locale based on prevailing conditions.
The assessment covers building design specifics, such as:
- Location of the building
- Orientation and size of project
- Type of construction
- Sizes and styles of windows
- Extra landscaping work and features
- Expected appliance use within the building
Why Does Your Company Need BASIX Certification?
First and foremost, a BASIX certification is required as part of the entire application before a company breaks ground. The certificate serves as a provisional marker that establish how much water, energy, and other resources the project and property will utilise.
Before the government issues a final Occupation Certificate at the close of construction, officials must confirm that the developers met or exceeded their resource conservation benchmarks set in the BASIX certificate.
More generally, BASIX certifications ensure that development in NSW does not overburden limited natural resources or add to regional air pollution issues.
Developers benefit from BASIC because it tells them in detail what changes must be made to satisfy the law prior to construction. This saves time, money, and hassle.
How Your Company Can Get BASIX Certified
The NSW government has made application for a BASIX certificate an easy task that companies can perform online.
When performed properly, a BASIX application processing can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the scale of the project and other factors.
First, a company seeking a BASIX certificate must establish specific sustainability commitments related to the proposed project. These pledges must meet standards set for the area by the NSW government. After evaluation of the application, the commitments must earn a passing score if the company is to receive the certificate.
Construction must adhere to commitments made in the certificate, and these must be executed as planned.
Why Your Company Should Retain a Consultant
While the application process can take a few days or less to complete, the details required can be highly technical. A successful application meets the detailed standards of the NSW government. Failure to meet these can result in costly delays
Australian Engineering Specialists has an exceptional track record of successfully advising builders and developers on how to comply with standards, and on how to submit paperwork properly and professionally. We understand that the process can be confusing, so we work with clients every step of the way to make sure that compliance issues do not hold up the job.
We invite you to contact us today if you have any questions or wish to engage our help in making sure that your project complies fully with NSW laws and regulations.