Installation, financing and by-laws for sustainability infrastructure

What is sustainability infrastructure?

Sustainability infrastructure includes part of the association property that fulfills one or more of the following categories and purposes:

• reducing or improving the efficiency of the consumption of energy or water
• reducing or preventing pollution
• reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill
• increasing the recovery or recycling of materials
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• facilitating the use of sustainable forms of transport, for example, by installing electric vehicle charging stations.

Any changes, including installation, removal, modification or replacement of anything on or forming part of the property – that fall into the above categories need special consideration.

What is the difference between a sustainability infrastructure resolution and other special resolutions?

The key difference between a sustainability infrastructure resolution and other special resolutions is that a sustainability infrastructure resolution requires that no more than 50% of the value of the votes cast at the meeting vote against the measure, provided certain conditions are met.

For more information, visit the meetings and voting page.

When are sustainability infrastructure resolutions used?

Sustainability infrastructure resolutions can be used by an association to decide on:

• financing the works
• altering existing structures or erecting new ones for the purposes of sustainability infrastructure
• changing the by-laws for the purpose of installing and/or using sustainability infrastructure.

The association must consider the following before approving a sustainability infrastructure resolution:

• the cost of the works, including expected running and maintenance costs
• who will own, install, and maintain the infrastructure
• the extent to which it will be available to all or only some of the lots in the scheme.