Aligning 7-star requirements with the realities of coastal design.
NatHERS energy assessments and advice for Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.
Designing for 7 Stars Along the Sunshine Coast
Our NatHERS climate zone (Climate Zone 10) stretches from northern NSW through south-east Queensland — using a single climate profile across the region.But Coolum doesn’t feel like Ipswich.
Noosa doesn’t feel like Lismore.
Even within our area, Maroochydore performs differently to Maleny.Site, orientation and lifestyle shape how homes here perform — and how they’re used.My role is to help you navigate that pathway deliberately — I manage the NatHERS process so you can focus on design.
The 7-star requirement is fixed.
The pathway to 7 stars is flexible.
What That Means in Practice
In colder or hotter climates, envelope design tends to determine building performance. Along the Sunshine Coast, building performance is shaped by more than just the envelope.Heating demand is minimal. Cooling demand varies by site and by household preferences. Day-to-day energy use is often influenced more by appliances, occupancy patterns and solar generation as by the building envelope itself.Compliance decisions should be balanced — supporting performance without distorting the design.There are usually multiple valid pathways to 7 stars and a Whole of Home (WoH) score of 60+.
What I Do
I provide NatHERS thermal modelling and certification for new homes and major renovations, working from early design development through to final approvals.This includes single and multi-residential projects such as houses, duplexes, townhomes and apartments.Services include:
NatHERS thermal modelling for residential projects
Early modelling to test compliance before plans are locked in
Whole of Home assessments
Final NatHERS certification for approvals
How I Work
Some projects come to me at the end for certification. Others involve multiple models as the design develops. Both are welcome.Where possible, I prefer to engage early — not only to avoid late changes and approval delays, but to provide clarity while choices are still easy to adjust.There are many elements that influence a NatHERS rating — glazing, shading, materials, insulation levels and more. I use the model to test a combination of practical options and explain the trade-offs clearly, so you can choose the pathway that best balances cost, design impact and real-world comfort.I also take time to understand the window and façade systems you prefer to use, so performance adjustments don’t disrupt your overall design.Wherever practical, I prefer to see each site in person. It provides context that plans alone can’t fully capture.
About
I’m Stuart Thompson, an Accredited NatHERS Energy Assessor, nationally accredited to certify residential projects anywhere in Australia.I grew up in this coastal climate and have also lived and worked in more extreme climates including Melbourne, London and Houston. In those environments, high-performance envelope design isn’t optional — it’s necessary. That contrast helps me apply those principles proportionately here.I work as both an assessor and an advisor — bridging the NatHERS model with how coastal homes are built and used.
Location
Based in Noosaville.
Working across Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.
Contact
If you’d like to test a design early, review compliance options, or arrange certification, feel free to get in touch.Fees are confirmed upfront based on project scope.Get in touch:
0493 066 906
[email protected]
