The review of the sustainability declaration was undertaken via a phone survey of 900 homeowners and renters across metropolitan and regional Queensland. The survey questions chosen were primarily attitudinal, with additional questions on investment uptake. The survey technique followed prescribed market research standards and therefore provides a high degree of credibility to the findings.

The Winton Report provides empirical evidence to support Queensland’s mandatory disclosure policy and the sustainability declaration. It clearly highlights the value of this policy since its introduction. Key findings include that:

• sustainability declarations were available in 92 per cent of cases where a purchase was made.
• 90 per cent of people think that sustainable design features add value to a home, with 34 per cent of people saying they would be prepared to pay up to 10 per cent more for a house with a number of sustainability features
• 85 per cent of people say they would be at least ‘quite likely’ to make investments in sustainability features if they received timely advice
• 71 per cent of buyers have installed at least one sustainable design feature into their dwelling since they purchased it.

The Winton Report makes it clear that there is a strong appetite in the community for the information contained in the sustainability declaration. Given the low cost associated with providing this information the sustainability declaration is providing a practical and effective impetus to improving the efficiency of Queensland homes.

Download the Winton Report ( 508 KB)