A two-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 12 Yanda Street in Waramanga has received a commendation at the ACT Architecture Awards. Designed by de Rome Architects, the property has two self-contained wings joined by an open living and dining area. Agent Bianca Emery says the home is energy efficient, with insulated concrete slab, double-glazed windows and a 5000-litre rainwater tank. Features for ageing residents include anchor points in the bathrooms and a double garage. The home sits a few streets from local shops and is minutes from the Woden centre.
Germany planned to double its data centre capacity by 2030 to boost AI access and its economy. However, a 2023 law requiring new data centres to reuse waste heat clashed with that goal. In June, the government amended the rules, so operators must only assess whether heat reuse is feasible. Developers had argued the original requirements were impossible to meet, and several projects have since collapsed. Critics say climate targets have been sacrificed, and public unease about data centres is growing across Europe.
The City of Whittlesea has launched a Home Energy Program to help local households reduce energy costs and make informed choices about energy use. The program offers practical advice on energy-efficient homes and on taking first steps toward electric appliances. Free events throughout the year will let residents speak with experts. A free home energy assessment will be available soon, along with Speed Date sessions with specialists and a Home Energy Expo. Mayor Lawrie Cox said the program helps residents work out what suits their home and budget.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Homeowners, renters, landlords and businesses in Monash can now access council-backed, vetted tradespeople through the Monash Home Energy Program. A home energy assessment shows where heat enters a home and which upgrades will bring the greatest benefit. Options include improved insulation, draught sealing, solar panels, battery storage, heat pump hot water systems, efficient heating and cooling, induction cooktops and electric vehicle chargers. The program aims to make homes more comfortable, lower energy bills and better prepare households for the summer ahead.
Gas use in the ACT has fallen about 20 per cent since 2020, according to territory figures. The government has set a goal of moving off gas by 2045. Fiona Wright, from the ACT's climate change and energy division, said older apartment buildings are the biggest remaining challenge. The Energy Efficiency Council ranked the ACT first nationally for energy efficiency but urged a formal requirement to replace gas appliances. Grattan Institute's Alison Reeve warned that rising charges for remaining customers could hurt renters and low-income households.
Households in Greater Bendigo can register for a free home visit from City of Greater Bendigo staff to improve their home's energy efficiency. Each personalised visit may take up to an hour and includes tailored advice on improving comfort, reducing energy use and lowering bills. Participants receive a home energy upgrade plan with short, medium and long-term recommendations. Climate change and environment manager Michelle Wyatt said the In-Home Energy Snapshots are open to any household in the area, including renters. Places are limited, and registration is essential through the Saving Energy section of the council website.
Research from Compare the Market has found that choosing energy-efficient appliances can significantly lower household power bills. Pool pumps show the largest gap, with low-rated models costing about $503 more a year than high-rated ones. Washing machines follow with a gap of about $362 a year. Dishwashers show the smallest gap, at about $51. The cost gap also varies by state, with South Australia recording the largest total difference and the Northern Territory the smallest.
Household energy scores are gaining traction in Australia, helping buyers gauge running costs and sellers show the value of efficiency upgrades. VALAI, a platform holding property data on more than 14 million homes, generates scores automatically. Under a partnership with REA Group, its scores will appear on realestate.com.au profiles as a score out of 10, compared with the suburb benchmark. A 2026 realestate.com.au survey found four in five Australians already have energy efficiency features at home. Upfront cost remains the biggest barrier to upgrades, cited by 43% of respondents.
A Toorak home designed by Melbourne architect John Wardle is for sale for the first time, quoting $11.5 million to $12.65 million. Owner David Sutton, an engineer and chairman of clean energy firm RayGen, built Limestone House to passive-house principles. The four-bedroom home at 3 Leighton Court is the first in Australia designed under both Passivhaus principles and the Living Building Challenge. It features 40 solar panels, a battery and a 31,000-litre rainwater tank. The Suttons plan to move on to an apartment in East Melbourne and a house in Lorne.
Adelaide architect firm Goodhouse has launched Pocket House, a series of seven off-the-plan home designs rated better than eight stars for efficiency. The three-bedroom, 137 square metre design is priced at $590,000. Goodhouse director Mark Thomas said the homes match custom sustainable dwellings but cost hundreds of thousands of dollars less. The designs are smaller than typical Australian homes and use features such as insulation, polished concrete and double glazed windows. Pocket Houses are under construction at Willunga, Port Willunga and Athelstone, with the first due for completion in 10 months.
Clean energy company RayGen chairman David Sutton has listed his sustainable Limestone House at 3 Leighton Court, Toorak, with an $11.5 million to $12.65 million range. The home was completed in 2021 and became the first in Australia to meet the Living Building Challenge standards. It is also designed to Passivhaus principles, with 40 solar panels feeding battery storage and an underground tank that filters rainwater into drinking water. Designed by architect John Wardle, the four-bedroom home is listed with Marshall White's Jack Fowles. Expressions of interest close at 3pm on November 9.
Hornsby Shire Council has launched a new video series featuring residents sharing their experiences of making homes more energy efficient. The Love Your Home series showcases practical upgrades, from sealing draughts to installing solar panels, to reduce energy use and lower household bills. Mayor Warren Waddell said the videos provide practical advice from community members who have already completed energy-saving upgrades. The initiative aims to help residents reduce household emissions and improve energy efficiency, with local households accounting for around 65 per cent of the shire’s total carbon emissions.
