Moved by Councillor Miller, seconded by the
Chair (the Lord Mayor) –
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council
note:
(i)
summer
air temperatures are becoming increasingly hotter due to global warming. Energy
efficient heating and cooling is especially important in social housing because
of the medical needs of residents, many of whom are at higher risk of health
impacts from extreme heat
(ii)
the
City of Sydney’s 2025 microclimate mapping found that areas with a
high concentration of social housing were among the hottest areas in the City, specifically Surry Hills, Waterloo, Redfern, and Glebe
(iii)
the Homes NSW Heating and Cooling Policy states
air conditioners are an important climate change adaptation measure to minimise
tenant heat stress. It further states that Homes NSW will provide energy efficient
reverse cycle air conditioning units and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to all
new properties in all National Construction Code climate zones where possible
(iv)
however,
in August 2026, REDWatch was advised by Stockland that new social housing in
Waterloo South will not have reverse cycle air-conditioning, as it was not
included in the scope of the redevelopment when issued by Homes NSW. Stockland
say they will design the homes so that reverse cycle air-conditioning can be
retrofitted
(v)
to assist
with passive environmental and energy design as set out in the NSW Apartment
Design Guide, all apartments at Waterloo South must be treated equally. Reverse
cycle air-conditioning must be provided in social housing as one of several
measures that help to achieve climate resilience. Compared to other devices,
reverse cycle air conditioning offers the safest and most affordable method for
residents to heat their homes, and most effective method to cool their homes
(vi)
without
reverse cycle air conditioning as standard, residents in social housing many of
whom are on low or very low incomes will be left to rely on cheap space heaters
that use relatively higher amounts of energy, are costly to operate and can
create significant fire risk when placed near flammable materials or left
unattended
(vii)
in the
City’s submission to the Waterloo People and Place Plan, at Action 7.11, we
recommended the plan ensures social housing dwellings have access to both mechanical
cooling and heating devices such as ceiling fans or reverse air conditioning
and heating, not just natural ventilation
(B)
Council
further note that the Lord Mayor wrote to the NSW Minister for Housing asking
her to prioritise the health and safety of residents and ensure new social
housing at Waterloo South is climate resilient and achieves thermal comfort
including by installing reverse cycle air conditioning.
Carried unanimously.
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