Brisbane (QLD, Australia)

Has enacted energy and water benchmarking laws targeting specific large building types. These laws aim to promote energy efficiency and sustainability within the city.

2. Applicability and Key Deadlines

The benchmarking laws apply to buildings meeting the following criteria:

• Public buildings with a size of 2,000 sq. ft. or more
• Commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings with a size of 100,000 sq. ft. or more

Key deadlines include:

• May 15th annual deadline for benchmarking reporting

3. Additional Benchmarking Reporting Schedule

Covered commercial and multifamily properties with sizes of:

• ≥50,000 sq. ft. have a benchmarking reporting deadline of June 30, 2024
• ≥25,000 sq. ft. have a benchmarking reporting deadline of June 30, 2025

4. Additional Requirements

Building owners must comply with a Building Performance Standard or Energy Audit Requirement every five years. The ordinance, adopted in December 2019, mandates annual energy and water benchmarking and reporting. In the “Beyond” stage, buildings must demonstrate high performance or take steps to improve.

5. Compliance Requirements

Building owners are required to report their energy and water usage annually using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool by May 15th.

6. Fines for Non-Compliance

Fines for non-compliance are as follows:

• $100 after a 30-day notice
• $200 after another 30 days
• $500 after another 30 days and every subsequent 30 days thereafter.