20 May 2013 — Lend Lease’s Darling Quarter and Commonwealth Bank Place development has snagged the awards for best new sustainable building and development of the year in the 2013 Property Council of Australia awards. Read more
A house destroyed by the Black Saturday bushfire, Yarra Glen
By Dick Clarke, Envirotecture
15 May 2013 — Sweet vs sour, bass vs treble, regulation vs free market, cost vs benefit. Balance is the key for many areas of life. But Dick Clarke suggests current standards have the balance wrong when it comes to building in bushfire-prone areas. Read more
14 May 2013 — Think of asilent electric engine that can sneak into enemy territory. It uses fuel cell technology. Portable fuel cells also power US soldiers’ power goggles, GPS, radios and laptops. And the US’s Great Green Fleet runs on 50 per cent petroleum and a 50 per cent mix of waste food, oil and algae biofuel. And Australia is playing role through the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. It’s all about how a sustainable defence force can save the planet, reports Leon Gettler. Read more
Rethinkers host Malarndirri McCarthy (left) and creator Paul Metcalfe.
By Donna Kelly
14 May 2013 — For a long time Paul Metcalfe has had the burning desire to do something different. And he always believed that skills in communication would be important for sustainability. Read more
6 May 2013 — “Section J” or “JV3” are phrases that strike fear into the hearts of many in the construction industry. What is it and why are we fearful?
Section J was integrated into the Building Code of Australia (now the National Construction Code or NCC) in 2006 applying to all Class 2 to Class 9 buildings. Read more
Property Council awards celebrate the best in sustainable development20 May 2013 — Lend Lease’s Darling Quarter and Commonwealth Bank Place development has snagged the awards for best new sustainable building and development of the year in the 2013 Property Council of Australia awards.
News from the front desk: Issue No 14216 May 2013 – According to Craig Roussac, the anti-"green" anti-"sustainability" sentiment washing through the corporate world right now is all par for the course – The dip before the next next phase of the cycle. What's coming, he says, is The Great Disruption Mark 11.
NSW mobilising to fight amalgamation push14 May 2013 — Councils are gearing up for war after the New South Wales Local Government Review Panel report provided strong support for amalgamation. Though the state government has reiterated forced amalgamations will not occur, it hasn’t stopped councils from preparing to fight the prospect of government reneging on its commitment. Strathfield council has already earmarked $50,000 for a website called Save Our Strathfield, which is fighting amalgamation efforts.
Bushfire safety looks to the clouds16 May 2013 — Cloud technology is being used to help people build safer and more fire-resilient homes. Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the iPad App, developed for the Alpine Shire Council in north-east Victoria, uses cloud technology to determine the slope of the land and lowest bushfire attack level.
Water, energy and waste now in Melbourne Planning Scheme16 May 2013 — Minimum performance standards and assessment methods for energy, water and waste efficiency of buildings are now part of the Melbourne Planning Scheme.
Amendent C187 has been approved and gazetted by Planning Minister Matthew Guy.
Stockland: the danger of cool bricks and mortar, and an opening at the top15 May 2013 — On face value, it’s the worst news the sustainable property industry could have wanted to hear.
Stockland, after setting the highest benchmarks in sustainability, after winning the lion’s share of gold stars for effort and achievement in the field – not to mention global accolades – has slashed its sustainability team by more than half.
Sustainability reporting crucial to company value and viability15 May 2013 — Companies producing high-quality sustainability reports have more women on the board, provide more certainty to investors and have better environmental, social and corporate governance, says a report that named Mirvac, DEXUS and GPT as leaders in the field.
The report, Corporate Reporting in Australia – Disclosure of Sustainability Risks Among S&P/ASX200 Companies, found that while there had been improvement in companies’ reporting practices overall, almost half of ASX200 companies still did no sustainability reporting, or only had basic reporting.
Urban growth plans threaten local extinctions16 May 2013 — Urban growth plans released by the Victorian Government earlier this week pave the way for local extinctions of nationally threatened species unless the federal government intercedes, Victorian National Parks Association executive director Matt Ruchel has said.
Water winners show innovation and leadership15 May 2013 — The National Water Awards, hosted by the Australia Water Association, have recognised professionals from around Australia.
Association Tom Mollenkopf said the winners had demonstrated innovation, courage, leadership and outstanding achievement that is needed to meet the nation’s water needs in years to come.
Federal Budget 201314 May 2012 – Following are early reactions to the Federal Budget 2013
From the Climate Institute
For those serious about long term outcomes in carbon and clean energy, the Budget’s cuts and deferrals show the importance of target driven markets for more certain outcomes, said The Climate Institute tonight.
“This Budget makes cuts or deferrals to renewable energy and low carbon solutions, misses a key opportunity to wind back fossil fuel subsidies and appears to underinvest in global solutions,” said John Connor, chief executive officer of The Climate Institute.
Germany turns on algae-powered building14 May 2013 — An apartment block in Hamburg, Germany, incorporating a vertical algae farm as a façade has become operational.
The five-storey Bio Intelligent Quotient building incorporates a “bioreactor façade” developed by Arup. Microalgae are cultivated in glass elements that make up the façade, enabling the apartment to supply its own energy, as well providing insulation and shade.
Green MashUP: warfare...sustainably14 May 2013 — Think of a silent electric engine that can sneak into enemy territory. It uses fuel cell technology. Portable fuel cells also power US soldiers' power goggles, GPS, radios and laptops. And the US's Great Green Fleet runs on 50 per cent petroleum and a 50 per cent mix of waste food, oil and algae biofuel. And Australia is playing role through the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. It's all about how a sustainable defence force can save the planet, reports Leon Gettler.
Melbourne's office market ready for record year14 May 2013 — Investment in Melbourne’s CBD office market is defying the current trend of soft tenant activity, according to a new report from Knight Frank.
And Knight Frank Victorian Research director Richard Jenkins says sustainability specifications are “certainly becoming increasingly important to investor and tenant demand”.
Bill McKibben coming to Do the Maths14 May 2013 — Author, climate campaigner and 350.org Co-Founder Bill McKibben is visiting Australia for his “Global Warming: Do the Maths” tour.
Public talks will be held in Sydney on June 4, Melbourne on June 7 and Brisbane on June 9.
Paul Berkemeier: Darling Harbour plan betrays public interest13 May 2013 — The Australian Institute of Architects has slammed the NSW Government’s decision to redevelop Darling Harbour through a single contract to Lend Lease.
National President Elect Paul Berkemeier said the government had betrayed the public interest.“The government has contracted out its responsibility to prepare a master plan for the use of public land, as well as the rights to demolish and develop it,” he said.
Meeting Section J through incorporating passive designBy Katie Fallowfield
6 May 2013 — “Section J” or “JV3” are phrases that strike fear into the hearts of many in the construction industry. What is it and why are we fearful?
Section J was integrated into the Building Code of Australia (now the National Construction Code or NCC) in 2006 applying to all Class 2 to Class 9 buildings.
Sam Nickless: Finding value in shared space
By Tina Perinotto
9 May 2013 — Early this year GPT Group was lead investor* for almost $6 million into a San Francisco start up that provides an online platform for
Stockland announces executive shake-up9 May 2013 — Stockland has announced a new management structure and a major shake-up to its executive committee.
Current chief financial officer Tim Foster will leave Stockland later this year with a search under way for his replacement.
Stockland: the danger of cool bricks and mortar, and an opening at the top15 May 2013 — On face value, it’s the worst news the sustainable property industry could have wanted to hear.
Stockland, after setting the highest benchmarks in sustainability, after winning the lion’s share of gold stars for effort and achievement in the field – not to mention global accolades – has slashed its sustainability team by more than half.
Sustainability reporting crucial to company value and viability15 May 2013 — Companies producing high-quality sustainability reports have more women on the board, provide more certainty to investors and have better environmental, social and corporate governance, says a report that named Mirvac, DEXUS and GPT as leaders in the field.
The report, Corporate Reporting in Australia – Disclosure of Sustainability Risks Among S&P/ASX200 Companies, found that while there had been improvement in companies’ reporting practices overall, almost half of ASX200 companies still did no sustainability reporting, or only had basic reporting.
Sam Nickless: Finding value in shared space
By Tina Perinotto
9 May 2013 — Early this year GPT Group was lead investor* for almost $6 million into a San Francisco start up that provides an online platform for
Germany turns on algae-powered building14 May 2013 — An apartment block in Hamburg, Germany, incorporating a vertical algae farm as a façade has become operational.
The five-storey Bio Intelligent Quotient building incorporates a “bioreactor façade” developed by Arup. Microalgae are cultivated in glass elements that make up the façade, enabling the apartment to supply its own energy, as well providing insulation and shade.
Guidelines help heritage home owners9 May 2013 — Sustainability and Heritage guidance sheets have been released by the Victorian Government to help owners of heritage homes improve energy efficiency and save money.
The guidance sheets cover contemporary houses, 1970s houses, postwar houses, bungalows, interwar, Edwardian and Victorian houses. They identify heritage features and the costs and savings associated with interventions such as ceiling insulation, underfloor insulation, thermal curtains and draught sealing.
Frank Sartor: We need a bolder Barry6 May 2013 — At last week’s SGS Economics and Planning’s “Up to the task?” forum, a panel comprising ex-Lord Mayors Frank Sartor and Lucy Turnbull, SGS principal and partner Patrick Fensham and associate dean of the City Futures Research Centre Bill Randolph discussed how Sydney’s draft Metropolitan Strategy would address the city’s challenges into the future.
Construction sector hits seven-month low7 May 2013 — The national construction sector is at the lowest point in seven months as tough industry conditions continue.
The Australian Industry Group/Housing Industry Association Australian Performance of Construction Index for April saw a 3.8 point reduction to 35.2 (readings below 50 represent a contraction), the 35th consecutive month of contraction.
Building in bushfire-prone areas: it's a question of balanceBy Dick Clarke 15 May 2013 — Sweet vs sour, bass vs treble, regulation vs free market, cost vs benefit. Balance is the key for many areas of life. But Dick Clarke suggests current standards have the balance wrong when it comes to building in bushfire-prone areas.
Green Star tool for public buildings released14 May 2013 — After a two-year pilot, the Green Building Council of Australia have today released the Green Star – Public Building v1 rating tool.
LEED certification the way to go7 May 2013 — LEED green building certification should be used for all US General Services Administration buildings, the Green Building Advisory Committee has recommended.
John Goddard: Flying start for Green Star chasers30 April 2013 — Green Star Interiors :: Flying Start is helping owners of commercial property to use the base building’s standards of environmental performance to attract “green-minded” tenants.
WT Sustainability's Sydney office achieves six star NABERS17 April 2013 — WT Sustainability’s Sydney office, at 181 Miller Street, has achieved a NABERS office tenancy rating of 6 Stars - before buying GreenPower.
NABERS tools were used during the design stage of the fitout to control and monitor sustainable design and construction targets, initially focussing on the large
Houston's IFMA headquarters showcasing sustainability13 February 2013 — The new global headquarters of the International Facility Management Association at Houston showcases sustainable practices.
The Service Centre of Excellence, which opens on 21 February, employs innovative technologies and techniques to “benefit the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit”, says sustainability director Marina Badoian-Kriticos.
Ms Badoian-Kriticos said the centre was “conceived, designed and built around the core concepts of sustainability, usability and productivity”.
The world’s most sustainable educational institution: the next stepBy Donna Kelly
18 December 2012 —In 2007 Bentleigh Secondary College in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs set one goal - to become an example of best practice in sustainability and sustainability education.
Five
Ingkarni Wardli building gains 6 Star Green StarThe University of Adelaide’s Ingkarni Wardli building, with features such as 100 per cent fresh air and a “bubble wrap” style roof that inflates and deflates to control temperature, provide insulation and all natural light penetration, has received a 6 Star Green Star rating for Education As Built V1.
Building in bushfire-prone areas: it's a question of balanceBy Dick Clarke 15 May 2013 — Sweet vs sour, bass vs treble, regulation vs free market, cost vs benefit. Balance is the key for many areas of life. But Dick Clarke suggests current standards have the balance wrong when it comes to building in bushfire-prone areas.
Planning reform: no need to scaremonger, there’s plenty to be scared aboutBy Corinne Fisher
13 May 2013 — In response to Urbis consultant Tim Blythe’s comment that organisations like the Better Planning Network are scaremongering, I regret to say there is no need to scaremonger: the Planning White Paper and Draft Exposure Bills are suitably scary.
Meeting Section J through incorporating passive designBy Katie Fallowfield
6 May 2013 — “Section J” or “JV3” are phrases that strike fear into the hearts of many in the construction industry. What is it and why are we fearful?
Section J was integrated into the Building Code of Australia (now the National Construction Code or NCC) in 2006 applying to all Class 2 to Class 9 buildings.
Letters from Tony – Burke, that isby Donna Kelly
9 May 2013 — I received a letter from Tony Burke the other day. That’s the federal minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.
Now, we’re not penpals or anything like that.
But I had emailed to him on 26 February about saving some very old trees in my town’s main street. He’s in charge of the National Heritage List. Seemed like a given.
Now, we’re not penpals, or anything like that.
Global infrastructure provider seeks national sustainability manager16 May 2013 — Envirosearch is on the lookout for a national sustainability manager to lead the sustainability program for “one of the largest infrastructure providers in Australia”. Based in Sydney, the role would see you guiding the organisation as they ramp up their sustainability implementation.
USyd's Joe Dong calls for more engineers16 May 2013 — Joe Dong has been appointed head of the University of Sydney’s School of Electrical and Information Engineering.
Three new principals at HASSELL16 May 2013 — HASSELLS has three new principals, Mike Rendell, Megan Reading and Thomas Herron.
Stockland: the danger of cool bricks and mortar, and an opening at the top15 May 2013 — On face value, it’s the worst news the sustainable property industry could have wanted to hear.
Stockland, after setting the highest benchmarks in sustainability, after winning the lion’s share of gold stars for effort and achievement in the field – not to mention global accolades – has slashed its sustainability team by more than half.
BIM-MEP forum in July7 May 2013 — The BIM-MEPAUS Construction Innovation 2013 Forum will be held 25-26 July.
The BIM-MEPAUS is an industry initiative which seeks to effectively address the issues currently impeding the transition to building information modelling-based integrated project delivery.
Joondalup to host BiodiverCities Conference23 April 2013 — The City of Joondalup will host 200 delegates from around the globe for the 2013 International BiodiverCities Conference in September.
USyd's Joe Dong calls for more engineers16 May 2013 — Joe Dong has been appointed head of the University of Sydney’s School of Electrical and Information Engineering.
First graduates for Diploma of Facilities Management26 March 2013 — The first students have graduated from the Facility Management Association of Australia’s and Holmesglen College’s recently established Diploma of Facilities Management.
Centre to secure energy supplies and cut CO2 emissions14 March 2013 — A newly established joint research centre at Curtin University will help secure future energy supplies and reduce CO2 emissions from both Australia and China.
China-Australia Centre for Sustainable Urban Development open5 March 2013 — The China-Australia Centre for Sustainable Urban Development has been opened at the University of South Australia.
The centre is a $2 million joint venture between the University of South Australia and China’s Tianjin University which will develop advanced research and expertise in sustainable urban development.
Sam Nickless: Finding value in shared space
By Tina Perinotto
9 May 2013 — Early this year GPT Group was lead investor* for almost $6 million into a San Francisco start up that provides an online platform for sourcing co-working spaces. It's part of a promise to GPT
Guy Pahor on why 12 cooling towers at Central Park are better than 30 26 March 2013 – [UPDATED 27 MARCH 2013 ]If you’ve doubts that district trigeneration gas-fired energy systems are worth the effort, ask Guy Pahor, chief executive officer of Frasers Property Australia. He will tell any developer with a mixed-use site that this is the future.
At the 5.8-hectare Central Park residential, office and retail project on Sydney’s busy Broadway, Frasers and joint-venture partner Sekisui House announced on Wednesday that they had signed an Environmental Upgrade Agreement to finance Australia's biggest centralised precinct trigen (See UPDATE note below) energy system.
Erin Schrode taking teenagers on a green path 26 March 2013 — Talking to Erin Schrode is like being caught up in a whirlwind of sustainability, green and the environment.
The 21-year-old Californian, who co-founded Teens Turning Green, when she was just 13, was in Australia last week to give the keynote address at the Vision 2020 Youth Symposium at Swinburne University in Victoria.
The 21-year-old Californian, who co-founded Teens Turning Green, when she was just 13, was in Australia last week to give the keynote address at the Vision 2020 Youth Symposium at Swinburne University in Victoria.
NSW mobilising to fight amalgamation push14 May 2013 — Councils are gearing up for war after the New South Wales Local Government Review Panel report provided strong support for amalgamation. Though the state government has reiterated forced amalgamations will not occur, it hasn’t stopped councils from preparing to fight the prospect of government reneging on its commitment. Strathfield council has already earmarked $50,000 for a website called Save Our Strathfield, which is fighting amalgamation efforts.
Sustainability reporting crucial to company value and viability15 May 2013 — Companies producing high-quality sustainability reports have more women on the board, provide more certainty to investors and have better environmental, social and corporate governance, says a report that named Mirvac, DEXUS and GPT as leaders in the field.
The report, Corporate Reporting in Australia – Disclosure of Sustainability Risks Among S&P/ASX200 Companies, found that while there had been improvement in companies’ reporting practices overall, almost half of ASX200 companies still did no sustainability reporting, or only had basic reporting.
Rockerfeller Foundation announces funding for city resilience
15 May 2013 — In the face of increasing natural disasters due to climate change, the Rockerfeller Foundation has announced funding to make cities more resilient.
For its 100th anniversary the
Building in bushfire-prone areas: it's a question of balanceBy Dick Clarke 15 May 2013 — Sweet vs sour, bass vs treble, regulation vs free market, cost vs benefit. Balance is the key for many areas of life. But Dick Clarke suggests current standards have the balance wrong when it comes to building in bushfire-prone areas.
NSW mobilising to fight amalgamation push14 May 2013 — Councils are gearing up for war after the New South Wales Local Government Review Panel report provided strong support for amalgamation. Though the state government has reiterated forced amalgamations will not occur, it hasn’t stopped councils from preparing to fight the prospect of government reneging on its commitment. Strathfield council has already earmarked $50,000 for a website called Save Our Strathfield, which is fighting amalgamation efforts.
Urban growth plans threaten local extinctions16 May 2013 — Urban growth plans released by the Victorian Government earlier this week pave the way for local extinctions of nationally threatened species unless the federal government intercedes, Victorian National Parks Association executive director Matt Ruchel has said.
Germany turns on algae-powered building14 May 2013 — An apartment block in Hamburg, Germany, incorporating a vertical algae farm as a façade has become operational.
The five-storey Bio Intelligent Quotient building incorporates a “bioreactor façade” developed by Arup. Microalgae are cultivated in glass elements that make up the façade, enabling the apartment to supply its own energy, as well providing insulation and shade.
Green MashUP: warfare...sustainably14 May 2013 — Think of a silent electric engine that can sneak into enemy territory. It uses fuel cell technology. Portable fuel cells also power US soldiers' power goggles, GPS, radios and laptops. And the US's Great Green Fleet runs on 50 per cent petroleum and a 50 per cent mix of waste food, oil and algae biofuel. And Australia is playing role through the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. It's all about how a sustainable defence force can save the planet, reports Leon Gettler.
