Where to get help
Good design can be a challenge, but don't worry, there are many places to go for help. House building and design organisations, major material manufacturers and government agencies are valuablesources of good home design information. These are just a few of the places to go to have your questions answered:
| Community Organisations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative Technology Association | www.ata.org.au | 03 9419 2440 | |
| ATA is a non-profit community group that aims to use and promote environmentally friendly technology, renewable energy sources such as the sun, wind and water; building with natural materials and conserving energy. | |||
| Australian & NZ Solar Energy Association | www.anzses.org | 02 9402 1638 | |
| ANZSES exists to promote scientific, social and economic development through the environmentally sound utilisation of solar energy. | |||
| Urban Ecology Australia | www.urbanecology.org.au | 08 8212 6760 | |
| Urban Ecology Australia is a non-profit organisation working to promote and create ecologically integrated human settlements. | |||
| Industry Organisations and Information Services | ||
|---|---|---|
| Archicentre | www.archicentre.com.au | 1300 13 45 13 |
| ACT 02 6273 1953 | NSW 02 9555 5011 | NT 08 8981 3042 | QLD 07 3846 4970 | SA 08 8271 5810 | TAS 03 6224 1823 | VIC 03 9819 5413 | WA 08 9481 8771 | ||
| Archicentre is the home advisory division of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. | ||
| Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy | www.bcse.org.au | 02 6270 5888 |
| The BCSE represents the interests of the sustainable energy industry including renewables, cogeneration, gas-fired generation, waste-to-energy and energy efficiency. | ||
| Australian Council of Building Design Professions | www.bdp.asn.au | 03 9650 4011 |
| The Australian Council of Building Design Professions (BDP) is the peak body of professional associations united to achieve better practices, policies, legislation and regulation for the design of the built environment. | ||
| Australasian Window Council | www.wers.net | 03 9853 3464 |
| AWC was formed in 1995 and is the peak body for the window products industry in Australia and New Zealand. | ||
| Building Designers Association of Australia | www.bdaa.com.au | 02 9413 9352 |
| ACT 02 6242 8405 | NSW 0500 555 054 | NT 08 8981 0943 | QLD 07 32051739 | SA 08 8243 1961 | TAS 1800 679 817 | VIC 03 9639 2368 | WA 0500 888 150 | ||
| The BDAA is the peak coordinating body for Building Designers Associations in Australia. | ||
| Home Ideas Centre | www.homeideas.com.au | |
| Darwin 08 8948 2655| Brisbane 07 3844 9922 | Adelaide 08 8297 1066 | Hobart 6231 2522| Launceston 03 6333 0660 | Melbourne 03 9544 9611 | Perth 08 9481 1111 | ||
| Australia’s largest network of building and home improvement exhibitions. | ||
| Housing Industry Association | www.greensmart.com.au | 07 3846 1298 |
| ACT/Southern NSW 02 6245 1338 | NSW 02 8878 0400 | QLD 07 3846 1298 | SA 08 8346 5091 | TAS 03 6234 8922 | VIC 03 9280 8200 | WA 08 9244 3222 | ||
| GreenSmart is a program of the Housing Industry Association promoting environmental and affordability considerations at the same time by focusing on the full cost of constructing, owning and running a home. | ||
| Insulation Solutions | www.insulationsolutions.com.au | 1300 300 249 |
| Insulation Solutions is one of Australia's leading manufacturers and marketers of insulation products. | ||
| James Hardie Building Products | www.jameshardie.com.au | 13 11 03 |
| James Hardie is a leading international building materials company and a global leader in fibre cement, one of the world's fastest growing building products. | ||
| Master Builders Australia | www.masterbuilders.com.au | 02 6202 8888 |
| ACT 02 6247 2099 | NEWCASTLE 02 4952 6877 | NSW 02 8586 3555 | NT 08 8922 9666 | QLD 07 3404 6444 | SA 08 8211 7466 | TAS 03 6234 3810 | VIC 03 9411 4555 WA 08 9322 5133 | ||
| The Master Builders Association is a national association of Master Builders and represents all sectors of the local housing and construction industry. | ||
| Royal Australian Institute of Architects | www.architecture.com.au | |
| ACT-02 6273 2929, NATIONAL-02 6273 1548, NSW- 02 9356 2955, NATIONAL PRACTICE-03 9650 2477, VIC-03 9654 8066, QLD-07 3846 4900, SA-08 8228 9100, WA-08 9321 7114, TAS-03 6234 5464, NT-08 8981 2288, NEWCASTLE-02 4929 1833 | ||
| The RAIA is a national body formed in 1930 to advance architecture, to maintain the integrity and standing of the profession, to promote the profession's views nationally and internationally, and to encourage the study of architecture. | ||
| State Government | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | Planning and Land Authority | www.actpla.act.gov.au | 02 6207 1926 |
| House Energy Advisory Team | www.heat.net.au | 02 6260 6165 | |
| NSW | Department of Planning | www.planning.nsw.gov.au | 02 9762 8044 |
| Department of Energy, Utilities & Sustainability | www.deus.nsw.gov.au | 02 9249 6100 | |
| NT | Department of Planning and Infrastructure | www.ipe.nt.gov.au | 08 8999 8965 |
| QLD | Environmental Protection Agency | www.epa.qld.gov.au | 1300 130 372 |
| SA | Energy SA | www.energy.sa.gov.au | 08 8204 1888 |
| Planning SA | www.planning.sa.gov.au | 08 8303 0600 | |
| TAS | Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources | www.dier.tas.gov.au | 1300 135 513 |
| VIC | Building Commission | www.buildingcommission.com.au | 1300 363 744 |
| Sustainability Victoria | www.sustainability.vic.gov.au | 03 9285 6400 | |
| WA | Office of Energy | www.energy.wa.gov.au | 1300 658 158 |
The Australian Government provides many programs encouraging environmentally sustainable home design and construction. These agencies provide information on line to assist individuals and companies on a range of environmental and home construction issues.
Australian Government
| Australian Greenhouse Office | www.greenhouse.gov.au | 1300 130 606 |
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | www.deh.gov.au | 02 6274 1111 |
| Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources | www.industry.gov.au | 02 6213 6000 |
| Department of Transport and Regional Services | www.dotars.gov.au | 1800 065 113 |