About the Rebate Scheme
Hobart City Council offers a 100% rebate on Council's basic planning fee*, and the building and plumbing administration fees where sound and permanent energy efficient principles and features are incorporated into the planning and design of new houses and additions to existing houses.
Energy Efficiency and other Considerations
It is important that applicants are aware that the qualifying criteria in this document are not always possible to achieve for a number of reasons:
- The location, orientation and size of the block of land to be built on may not allow buildings to be ideally orientated or sited
- Neighbouring properties may have structures that will overshadow where property owners want to build
- Other issues including bushfire protection, landscape protection, bushland and habitat conservation, cultural heritage, streetscape, urban design and amenity may need to take precedence depending on their relative significance under any given circumstances
However, often a compromise can be achieved between achieving energy efficient planning and design and the range of other considerations pertinent to a given site.
How do I Qualify for the Rebate?
By achieving the score of 6 points, applicants will not only be rewarded with a healthier and more comfortable cost saving energy efficient home, but also qualify for 100% rebate of the basic planning fee*, and the building and plumbing administration fees.
The rebates are paid following final building and plumbing inspections, the issue of certificates of completion, and only if it has been demonstrated that the criteria listed below have been complied with.
Rebate Qualifying Criteria Checklist
| Element |
Assessment Criteria |
Qualifying Points |
|
Location
|
Building has been located to avoid overshadowing by neighbouring buildings, structures or vegetation and of neighbouring buildings. [Shadow diagrams are required to demonstrate compliance] |
2pts |
|
Orientation
|
Building faces north between 15 degrees to north-west and 30 degrees to north-east. |
2pts |
|
Living Areas#
|
Location 60% of all Living Areas are located on the northern side of the building. |
2pts |
|
Solar Hot Water Systems
|
Correctly sized solar hot water systems (certified by a suitably qualified/experienced person) have been installed. |
6pts |
|
6 Star National House Energy Rating
|
Development is 6 Star National House Energy Rated, certified by a suitably qualified/experienced person. |
6pts |
# Living Areas include: Lounge, Kitchen, Dining, Family and Study rooms.
- To apply you must have completed your final building and plumbing inspections and been issued with certificates of completion;
- Complete the application form providing evidence demonstrating that the rebate qualifying criteria have been met;
Energy Efficient Development Rebate Application Form;
- Applicants are advised that they are ineligible to claim the Solar/Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate where their Energy Efficient Development Rebate based on the 6 point element 'solar hot water system' has already been received.
- Forward your application along with your certificates of completion to Council either in person at the Council Centre or by mail to:
Energy Efficient Development Rebate Scheme
City Planning Unit
Hobart City Council
GPO Box 503, Hobart 7001
- Don't forget to include the receipts for your planning, building and plumbing administration fees;
- Await Council notification or application success;
- For further enquiries contact Council's Customer Services Officer, Julie Haygarth on (03) 6238 2711.
Other Available Initiatives
The Housing Institute of Australia GreenSmart initiative website provides practical suggestions for building affordable environmentally friendly housing as well as links to environmentally trained building professionals.
*The planning fee component of the rebate excludes costs associated with the notification of an application by advertising in the "Mercury".