Ian standing inside his eco home

Meet local South Australians who have built sustainably for a better and more affordable future.

Homes For Tomorrow shares the stories of local people who built smarter homes; to maximise comfort, reduce long term costs and create a better future for everyone.

Building or renovating can feel overwhelming. Hearing from people who have done it before empowers you with knowledge, so you can make better decisions for yourself and your family.

“There is no heating and cooling needed in my home, the first year my energy bill was $30 for the year.”

Ian from Pt Elliot

“It’s so cool and so refreshing over summer and in winter, it’s just like a little haven. You can come in and know you’re going to be comfortable”

Kate from Littlehampton
Play

Meet
Ian

Port Elliot

Hear how Ian from Port Elliot worked with his builders to achieve an energy efficient home, reducing the need for air conditioning and heating.

Play

Meet
Kate

Littlehampton

Kate loves bringing her family  home to their comfy home that stays warm in winter and cool in summer.

She’s the envy of her friends with her cheap electricity bills!

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Meet Jesse

Greenock

Jesse’s build wasn’t sustainable to begin with, simply because he didn’t know the right questions to ask.

Over time, he’s chipped away at making his home more sustainable through clever additions, blinds, fans, solar and more.

Why it pays to build better.

There are many benefits to building a more sustainable home, here are just a few.

  • light bulb icon Save on energy bills
  • heating or airconditioning icon Reduce the need for air conditioning and heating
  • home with heart icon Healthier home, healthier family
  • person with rays of light icon Better comfort
  • temperature icon Consistent temperatures throughout the year
  • heart in hand icon Building longevity
  • family icon Contribute to a better environment for future generations
  • money icon Take advantage of rebates

Empowering resources

Our top resources to help you build better.

Fact sheets and checklists

Useful links

FAQs

The Homes for Tomorrow campaign is an initiative of Mount Barker, Alexandrina, Light and Onkaparinga Councils, aimed at increasing awareness and promoting the uptake of sustainable and resilient housing. Through video case studies, accessible resources, and community engagement, the campaign provides residents, homebuyers, and developers with the knowledge and tools to make informed, sustainable housing choices.

Sustainable homes are essential for health and wellbeing, saving money through improving energy efficiency and for reducing our environmental impact. With the rising costs of energy and the challenges of climate change, sustainable homes are becoming more important than ever.

Sustainable features can range from simple home improvements to major design and construction changes. Some options include:

  • Energy-efficient appliances
  • Solar panels
  • Rainwater harvesting systems
  • Sustainable building materials
  • Good insulation and passive design for better heating and cooling
  • Energy-efficient windows and doors
  • Choosing low-carbon or all-electric alternatives to gas

The Homes for Tomorrow website and video case studies provide practical examples and a checklist to guide you in making these changes.

The Council website and Council planning staff can provide more information on regulations and sustainable building guidelines as well as ways to go above and beyond to make your home healthier, cheaper to run and good for the planet.

Yes! Sustainable homes tend to have higher property values due to their energy efficiency, lower running costs, and appeal to environmentally-conscious buyers. Sustainable features can also improve your home’s comfort and livability, which can increase long-term value.

The Homes for Tomorrow campaign encourages developers and builders to embrace sustainable building practices. We invite you to partner with us in sharing knowledge, promoting sustainable designs, and adapting your projects to meet community demand for greener, more resilient homes. 

Building to a 7-star or higher energy efficiency rating may have higher upfront costs, but it saves you money in the long term. Homes with lower star ratings are more expensive to run due to higher energy consumption for heating and cooling. Over time, these ongoing costs can add up significantly!

While the South Australian government has adopted the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC) energy standards, it has applied a 3-year exemption in Mount Barker and placed a 10-year hold on any future changes. This delay means that South Australia will fall further behind in the liveability and sustainability of its housing stock. Lower efficiency homes will face higher energy bills, making them more costly over their lifespan.

By building to higher energy standards now, you not only improve comfort but also reduce your energy bills in the future – providing better value in the long run.

Alexandrina Council

Phone: 08 8555 7000

Email: [email protected]

 

Light Regional Council 

Phone: 08 8525 3200

Email: [email protected]

 

Mount Barker District Council 

Phone: 08 8391 7200

Email: [email protected]

 

Onkaparinga Council

Phone: 08 8384 0666

Email: [email protected]