Australian households have faced sharp increases in energy prices over the past decade. Household water bills have also increased. Higher numbers of households are experiencing electricity and/or gas disconnections due to non-payment of bills and joining energy retailer hardship programs to remain connected. As a result, research and energy policy has focused on energy retailer...

This content analysis of smart home control marketing materials indicates that the promoted benefits of these devices are not strongly aligned with energy policy objectives. Only one of 11 themes identified relates to energy and cost savings. Further, load shifting was not mentioned or promoted by any companies selling smart home control products. In contrast...

Selandra Rise is a new housing development located in Melbourne’s south-east growth corridor, where residents have bought land and built new houses over a period of several years. This research project aimed to discover how design and planning of a new residential community could improve the health and wellbeing of residents. Developed through a VicHealth...

This report presents outcomes from a three-year mixed method evaluation of the Department of Health and Human Services’ low-carbon housing in Horsham, Victoria. The aim of the project was to conduct a multi-year evaluation of four new two-bedroom, single-storey, sustainably designed units with a National House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) rating of 8.9 stars (Catalyst...

Master-planned estates (MPEs) on edges of cities are a major source of new housing in Australia. Concerns about limited local services and amenities and negative impacts on resident health have contributed to changes in design of some MPEs.