Better known as BASIX, this piece of legislation had struck fear in the hearts of builders and new home buyers across the state. Terrifying anecdotes about how much meeting the energy and water saving targets was costing some new home buyers were doing the dinner party circuit, and misleading statements, like, “eaves are now compulsory above all windows” were being declared and repeated as fact.

As the legislation enters its third year, however, it seems far less necessary to justify the cost and demystify the jargon associated with BASIX. On one hand, all three major shareholders – the government, builders, and new home buyers – are simply more experienced and familiar with BASIX.

The government has been able to assess the success of its policy, and deliver clearer information to the public. Builders have completed more BASIX compliant homes, and become more aware of building sustainability in the design of new products. As a result, they’ve been better able to advise their clients about what building a BASIX compliant home will involve.

On the other, more sobering, hand, the necessity of doing something to assist the environment has become increasingly obvious over the last 12 months. The weather has lurched between an arid, baking heat and dangerously unpredictable storms.

We’ve been forced to consider concepts, including nuclear power and desalination, that until recently didn’t seem to seriously apply to NSW. An Inconvenient Truth brought climate change to the movies, and won an Oscar.