More than one in five apartment buyers from Victoria and NSW rate environmental aspects as either extremely or very important when purchasing a property, new research has revealed.

Data from the Western Australian Apartment Advocacy found 23 per cent of buyers in both states identified green attributes as motivators when making the decision to buy.

In NSW, close to 50 per cent of NSW residents who responded to the survey were classed as retired or transitioning to retirement. 

At a glance:
•    3312 people were nationally surveyed with 23 per cent in both NSW and Victoria considering environmental attributes important to apartment buying.
•    Of these 23 per cent, 50 per cent in NSW were retired and 57% in Victoria were young professionals.
•    These people tended to use the building amenities, such as the gym and outdoor areas more. 

In contrast, 57 per cent of environmentally focused households in Victoria were young professionals. 

According to the research, these same respondents tended to be more active with their apartment amenities than other respondents, using the outdoor recreation area, gym and indoor spa. 

Other attributes in apartment purchases included location and the vicinity to public transport. 

AAA Director Samantha Reece said with increasing energy costs, the environmental initiatives in new apartments allowed residents to manage and monitor their power usage and also consider alternative energy providers. 

“Environmental initiatives incorporated in an apartment design can offer up to 19 per cent savings a year in energy consumption,” said Ms Reece. 

Ms Reece said ABS data revealed young people aged 18-24 and older adults were inclined to be concerned about environmental matters (77 per cent and 71 per cent respectively) than other age groups. 

“The ABS data also revealed that 88 per cent of Australians had taken steps to limit their energy use, with residents recognising the direct link to carbon emissions,” said Ms Reece. 

“The fact that close to a quarter of the survey respondents indicated that they were focused on this attribute also demonstrates that the demand for environmental amenity within apartment designs is only going to continue in the longer term.” 

Simon James Executive General Manager Marketing and Sales of WINconnect, a specialist in community energy networks, stated that research with 5000 of their 50,000 customers indicated that 33 per cent in NSW and 42 per cent in Victoria were extremely or very interested in energy management tips. 

“Providing customers with the control to utilise energy at the most cost-effective times is a tool that we have recognised is essential as the energy market continues to be deregulated,” said Mr James. 

Similar to this:

Get to know Dr Philip Roos, world-leading environmental architect

Why choose a natural swimming pool?

Australia's best architecture 2017: Australian Institute of Architects