Council Eco Design Service receives innovation award

Council’s Eco Design Advice service has won a national Innovation Award.

The award was given to the seven local authorities that offer eco design advice - providing free energy, water and materials related advice for designers/architects, builders and homeowners about sustainable building, to ensure better use is made of resources.

"We’re delighted to receive this award as it recognises our commitment to helping ensure homes are healthier, drier and warmer,” says Richard Morrison, Council’s Eco Design Advisor.

“Council launched this service in 2006 and we’ve assisted many local residents over that time with free independent advice on insulation, draught stopping, power saving, heating options and sustainable building solutions.

“We’re pleased that we're among those leading this initiative.”

The other local authorities who were part of the award are Auckland, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, Palmerston North and Lower Hutt Councils.

Though the advisors are employed by local authorities, the programme is a BRANZ initiative and BRANZ provides the advisors with technical support.

The award was announced at the Annual BOINZ (Building Officials Institute of New Zealand) Conference and Expo which was held at Westpac Trust in Wellington this month.