Sustainable subdivisions - Construction Innovation

Table 2Suggested research needs and initiatorsSuggested research needsMonitor and assess existing alternative systems and compare their actualperformance to predicted performance prior to implementation. Identifyreasons for any sub-optimal performance.Quantify additional benefi ts of alternative systems (such as reducedenergy and materials usage, and system resilience and householderwellbeing) by detailed lifecycle costing, analysis and monitoring. Alsoquantify associated benefi ts from externalities over LCA.Understand the impact of greywater (treated or untreated) on theenvironment.Improve garden irrigation technologies and practices, including byimproved sensing (climate, soil, water use), by understanding thebehaviour of users (including plant selection and needs), and byapplication of effi cient autonomous and remotely managed systems.Develop options and design criteria for stormwater harvesting for variousresidential uses.Assess the potential impacts of alternative water-servicing approaches onexisting infrastructure and transitioning strategies, including how thesestrategies can be built into longer-term infrastructure masterplans.Investigate alternative funding sources and economic incentives anddisincentives (such as rebates, headworks charges and planningobstacles) for implementation of alternative water-servicing approaches.Review legislative and planning process impacts on adoption of integratedwater-service options with particular focus on how the multi-disciplinesnecessary to deliver water services can be streamlined.Conduct social or behavioural research, including what values lead peopleto consume or conserve water in different ways.Undertake economic analysis of selected water effi cient and traditionaltechnologies, as this may help embed new technologies within existingand future urban areas and inform infrastructure planning.Develop technology selection guidance frameworks which account forlocal conditions and infrastructure.Develop service models and management frameworks for maintenanceof decentralised treatment systems.Suggested research initiatorsTechnology developers, universities andresearch organisationsAustralian Greenhouse Offi ce,environment agencies, local and stategovernments, universitiesTechnology developersTechnology developers, universities andresearch organisationsFederal environment and water agencies,research organisations (eWater, WaterQuality Australia)Water utilities, local governmentsState and local governments, waterutilitiesState and local governments, waterutilities and commissionsState and local government, waterutilities and commissionsState and local governments, thedevelopment industryState government agencies, waterutilities and development industries(noting that this should probably bedeveloped on a state-by-state basis)State and local government, waterutilities and development industry18