NSW's Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) has helped new homeowners across the state save $25 million in power and water bills in the last financial year alone. Started in 2005-06 by the then Labor government, the BASIX scheme guides homeowners on ways to save water and energy through the inclusion of features such as water tanks, solar hot water, central heating and natural cooling systems in their building plans.

New BASIX data reveals that nearly half a million NSW homeowners have saved more than 103,000 megalitres of potable water and avoided 3,300 kilotons of greenhouse gas emissions in the decade since the scheme was introduced. This performance equates to saving 205 Olympic swimming pools of water and taking 790,000 cars off the road respectively.

New homes built in Parramatta, Blacktown, Bankstown and Penrith are among the frontrunners when it comes to improving energy and water efficiency.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes said BASIX was a simple and effective way to incorporate improvements in home design to save money and help the environment. Referring to the results, he said that minor changes made in the design of a home can help the homeowner achieve big savings on power and water bills, while also protecting the environment.

According to Stokes, BASIX has helped almost half a million homeowners invest in the effort upfront to save long term; the latest BASIX data indicates the system is generating massive savings to household budgets.

Publicly available online for the first time, the BASIX data breaks down energy and water savings by Local Government Area and by region. The information can be accessed at www.datareporting.planning.nsw.gov.au.

Top 10 NSW Councils

Sydney City Council

  • 20,240 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 1,300 million litres of water and 34 kilotonnes of greenhouse gas emissions

Blacktown City Council

  • 19,710 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 5,800 million litres of water and 187 kilotonnes of emissions

Parramatta City Council

  • 18,230 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 2,500 million litres of water and 84 kilotonnes of emissions

The Hills Shire Council

  • 15,750 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 3,200 million litres of water and 100 kilotonnes of emissions

Bankstown City Council

  • 11,670 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 2,500 million litres of water and 91 kilotonnes of emissions

Lake Macquarie City Council

  • 11,650 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 3,000 million litres of water and 103 kilotonnes of emissions

Ryde City Council

  • 11,575 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 1,600 million litres of water and 49 kilotonnes of emissions

Penrith City Council

  • 11,190 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 2,266 million litres of water and 78 kilotonnes of emissions

Canterbury City Council

  • 11,105 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 1,133 million litres of water and 39 kilotonnes of emissions

Liverpool City Council

  • 11,031 homes with BASIX from June 2005 to June 2014
  • Saved 2,639 million litres of water and 91 kilotonnes of emissions