Local companies have been awarded a contract to advise on Section J implementation and a roadmap to more energy-efficient commercial buildings in the Northern Territory.

The National Construction Code (NCC) outlines the minimum standard for energy efficiency for a building, including its services, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Section J primarily addresses the thermal performance of the building fabric, building sealing and services, such as heating, cooling and lighting.

With a team of four local sub-contractors and a local presence, energy efficiency professionals DeltaQ will identify the implications and costs of Section J implementation from an NT construction industry perspective. The modelling will also look at changes in construction costs, energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions reductions and energy cost savings.

The Territory Government is leading by example – starting from 1 May 2021 energy-efficiency compliance will need to occur on all NT Government commercial building projects valued at over $3 million.

Currently, newly constructed buildings may feature elements of energy-efficiency in the NCC, such as efficient heating ventilation and air conditioning systems and/or electrical systems.

The Territory Government has applied Section J to a number of government building projects such as the Palmerston Regional Hospital and Zuccoli Primary School, contributing to industry education on the requirements and implementation of Section J.

The Territory Government is implementing a range of building reforms and this consultancy will inform government’s roadmap to more energy-efficient commercial buildings in the NT.

Recently, the NT Government released a greenhouse gas emissions tender which focuses on making Territory Government assets energy-efficient to further enhance the region’s capability to reach its net zero emissions target by 2050 and protect the NT’s environment.

Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler, said the Northern Territory Government knows that climate-smart policy is smart economic policy that will create new jobs for Territorians and deliver significant cost-savings to Territorians.

“Energy-efficient buildings are good for local business and local jobs, as a cost-saving measure when it comes to running an organisation,” Minister Lawler said.

“The Section J consultancy will help inform government’s decision on a roadmap to adopting Section J energy efficiency requirements for commercial buildings in the Northern Territory.”