Mud-brick Energy Efficiency Study
By Dave Crossthwaite
Above: Steve Herbert, Michael Young, Danielle Green and Alan Grimes discuss the merits of mudbrick technology
outside Mr Youngs house.
Pictures: Lawrence PINDER N39DV106
ELTHAM environmental builder the late Alistair Knox is synonymous With Australias mudbrick resurgence. His distinctive houses are still highly sought after and attract top prices when they come on to the market.
THE State Government has offered Nillumbiks mudbrick industry an olive branch in the debate over the energy efficiency of earth building materials and the Governments mandatory energy requirements.
Last Week, following lobbying by State Labor MPs Steve Herbert (Eltham) and Danielle Green (Yan Yean), Planning Minister Mary Delahunty agreed to mount a research project into the energy performance of mudbricks.
Since July, all new buildings have been required to achieve a four star energy rating under the Sustainable Energy Authority's First Rate computer modelling program.
From July next year, the Government will raise the requirement to five stars.
In September, more than 130 mudbrick manufacturers, architects, tradesmen and mudbrick house owners formed the Nillumbik Mudbrick Association to fight energy efficiency laws they believed unfairly targeted the age old building material.
They feared the requirements signalled the death knell for their industry and called on the Government to rethink the way it assessed mudbricks.
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Association president Michael Young, a candidate in the coming Nillumbik Council election, said the research project was the first step in securing the industry's future. This research will validate what we in Nillumbik have always believed that eco-friendly mudbrick houses have outstanding thermal qualities, Mr Young Said.
Mr Herbert said the Building Commission, the Energy Authority Victoria, the Australian Greenhouse office and Deakin University were collaborating on the project.
A scientific trial into the performance of mudbricks is long overdue and has been high on the mudbrick industry's agenda for sometime, Mr Herbert said.
Nillumbik is widely recognised as the most significant mudbrick region in Australia and local mudbrick builders are involved in the planning and design of this substantial trial.”
Ms Green said the study would be carried out over the 2005 winter period because it was the heating performance of mudbrick buildings that was of primary interest.
Nillumbik Mayor Tony Raunic said the council welcomed the decision, but it wanted guarantees it would be able to issue permits after July 2005, when the five star rating requirement took effect.
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Mr Herbert said the Government could not commit to a moratorium for mudbricks. There is plenty of time to have that discussion, he said.
Builder Michael Young, working on a mudbrick house