Enhancing APY Lands homes thermal efficiency
Temperature extremes and associated severe thermal stresses have become more pronounced and are compounded by complex social and logistical challenges, specifically in the extremely harsh and variable climate conditions of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands
Early findings from the RACE to 2030 APY Lands retrofit pilot are clear:
airtightness upgrades delivered the single biggest reduction in energy demand, with performance improving by an average of 53% across retrofit homes.
Clayton Reeves and Phil Hespe from the SA Remote Aboriginal Housing Team will unpack this landmark project—bringing together the work from South Australian Housing Trust, University of South Australia, the SA Department for Energy and Mining, and 15 industry partners under the RACE to 2030 banner. Launching in December 2023, the final report for the pilot was released in May 2026.
Across 12 APY Lands communities, the team combined real-time energy monitoring, thermal testing, and targeted passive upgrades—then pushed further with three tiers of retrofits on six houses. Just as importantly, the work invested in tenant knowledge, local training, and practical tools for ongoing maintenance.
The result? Hard evidence about what actually works in remote housing—what improves comfort, reduces energy stress, and builds climate resilience in extreme conditions.
These findings are already shaping rollout under the SA Housing Trust’s HAFF program, bridging the gap between funding and real-world performance.
This session will share the project’s key insights, lessons learned, and what comes next for scaling impact across remote communities.
Pre presentation Readings and Resources:
RACE for 2030 project profile: https://www.racefor2030.com.au/project/apy-lands-energy-efficiency-retrofit-pilot/
Year 1 Impact Report: https://www.healthabitat.com/pilot-project-race-to-2030-apy-lands-energy-efficiency-retrofit-pilot-project-1-year-impact-report-released/
Project news article: https://epcgroup.com/desert-retrofit-housing-project-boosts-energy-efficiency-and-comfort-in-apy-lands/