27 January 2011 – Sustainability has finally made it as one of the big six trends for 2011 and will become a key divider between the “haves” and the “have nots” in the commercial market, according to leading researcher Kevin Stanley of CB Richard Ellis. Mr Stanley, executive director, global research and consulting for CBRE  has named sustainability fourth on his list of the six big trends for 2011.  “Sustainability will have a bigger impact from now on,” he said. “Sustainability may have struggled for priority during the global financial crisis and post the failed Copenhagen negotiations but as this new property cycle picks up it will grow in importance, becoming a central and permanent feature of the industry. “The next round of commercial developments now being designed and approved will all feature high on the well-developed sustainability ratings scale.” And Mr Stanley includes in his forecasts advice for developers to start... 
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By Tina Perinotto 21 January 2011 –21 January 2011 –As the damage from the Queensland floods becomes clearer calls are emerging for rebuilding and repairs to be more sustainable and resilient and at least one sustainability consultancy is offering subsidised design services to assist. Cundall state manager Queensland Ben O’Callaghan this week said a rethink was needed on how new construction could proceed. “It’s obvious that we need to start building in more resilience,” Mr O’Callaghan said. “It’s now critical that we design to cater for the environment and it’s disappointing that some people aren’t starting to learn the lesson of past extreme weather because there will be more of it as climate change increases. Read More  
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No-one is screaming “climate change”… they don’t have to By Tina Perinotto 24 February 2011 – Welcome to the first issue of our newsletter for 2011. So much for the traditional round-up to find out what’s on the cards for the year ahead. It’s pretty clear that for the next 12 months most of us will be dealing in one way or another with the impacts of the devastating floods in Queensland, and now Victoria. Rising food prices, loss of agriculture and other products, rising construction costs, and skills shortages will be just the start. So far the tally looks like 75 per cent of Queensland flooded, a bill of $20 billion, a declaration that it is Australia’s worst natural disaster, and fears that unstable wild weather could continue for months. Read More  
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By Leon Gettler Special report:  21 January 2011 – With more extreme weather events expected, the Queensland flood crisis could represent the “new normal” that will challenge the property market. Experts have told The Fifth Estate that planning and infrastructure will have to change. Just another sign of what we can expect from a world transformed by global warming. Geography and planning specialist Professor Brian Finlayson from the University of Melbourne says that the only way to tackle floods Read More  
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By Tina Perinotto 21 January 2011 – The federal government has released a consultation paper on the tax breaks for green buildings program which will be worth up to $1 billion. It has even provided a handy set of questions as a starting point for ironing out how things might work in practice. Closing date for submissions is 18 February. Consultation information sessions will be held in major cities: Read More  
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By Tina Perinotto 23 January 2011 – Adelaide might have ranked best city in Australia to live and Sydney worst in a wide-ranging survey from the Property Council of Australia but among some controversial findings was encouraging strong support for medium density housing, especially in transport nodes and shopping centres. More than half of respondents supported apartments Read More  
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21 January 2011 – The Gold Coast City Council said on Friday that its Hinze Dam was “good planning” and would help protect the city from floods, as it released what it said were among Australia’s most sophisticated flood maps. The statement to reassure its residents came as a council meeting this endorsed $450,000 in financial support for flood reconstruction. A spokeswoman for the council said the Queensland  floods could well inform policy changes on the Gold Coast but these were under constant review. “We have in place robust and adaptive planning which envisages situations like that experienced in the recent Queensland floods,” the spokeswoman said. “As new knowledge about climate change comes to hand these council’s planning, mitigation and response programs are under constant review and improvement. “We will be looking at the Queensland floods to see if there are any new lessons to be learned or information which could help us... 
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By Lyn Drummond 19 January 2011 – With some economists putting a figure of $20 billion on the Queensland flood damage, the terms of reference for the state government’s Commission of Inquiry has already come under fire for not being broad enough. The Federal Government has also established a business taskforce to mobilise flood recovery efforts. Architects are concerned that a preferred system of designing and building resilient homes is essential in the terms of reference and will submit proposals. (See our report ) Queensland Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek’s criticism that the inquiry lacked the ability to examine issues outside its specific terms was disputed on the ABC this week when Premier Anna Bligh said the terms of reference “go to every aspect of the management of this disaster.” Queensland inquiry’s terms of reference The Queensland Commission of Inquiry’s panel of three is headed by Queensland Justice Cate Holmes with Deputy Commissioners Jim O’Sullivan,... 
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By Lyn Drummond 19 January 2011 – Architects will propose to the Queensland government that building design be considered in its terms of reference for its Commission of Inquiry into the Queensland floods, as industry bodies respond to the crisis. According to the chief executive officer of the Australian Institute of Architects David Parken a preferred system of designing and building resilient homes is essential in the terms of reference. The interim report is due in August this year and due to be released by January, 2012. Mr Parken was not prepared to comment on what a preferred design could be at this point, but said any preferences for the traditional Queenslander house on stilts did not hold weight when there were instances of these homes being swept off their footings by the water. Read More  
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18 January 2011 – Australia’s GDP may fall and vegetable prices will soar, but some industries are poised to benefit from the flood disaster in Queensland and northern NSW, according to business information analysts IBISWorld. IBISWorld today downgraded Australia’s GDP forecast from 2.9 per cent to 2.6 per cent but said the construction industry in particular would benefit. “Industries set to decline rapidly are perhaps more obvious and include agriculture – especially cotton and cane growers – Read More  
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By Tina Perinotto and Lyn Drummond 20 January 2011 – An estimated 600 residents and local politicians rallied in Sydney’s inner city suburb of Glebe on Thursday morning this week brandishing more than 4000 signatures in protest against the planned closure of the local post office. The closure will be one of 27 post offices that Australia Post seems determined to shut nationally, citing falls of 5 per cent in business. All except one perhaps – Woollahra, in the electorate of former opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull Read More  
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By Tina Perinotto 14 January 2011 – The Planning Institute of Australia said on Friday that the Queensland flood crisis had focused the need for climate change to be considered in planning for the future and proved that modern planning protocols could work to protect communities, even in low lying areas. PIA national president Neil Savery said that major natural disasters had challenged civilisations throughout history and each time “the human endeavour rebounds with better built environments arising from the lessons learned. “In this case the extent of the influence of climate change on these floods and future similar events will need to be considered.” Read More  
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14 January 2010 – Global engineering, consulting and construction firm MWH on Friday said it had donated $50,000 to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal in Queensland. And the City of Sydney is likely to approve a $200,000 pledge to the fund at its extraordinary council meeting on 31 January. Please send news of  donations from the property sector to editorial@thefifthestate.com.au MWH said more than 100 of its staff from among its four Queensland offices had been affected by the devastating floods though none had been harmed. Chairman and chief executive officer Robert Uhler said, “We’re very concerned about the safety of our employees as well as all of the residents of Queensland. Our thoughts are with everyone. “In addition…we are reaching out to our clients and partners in Queensland to offer assistance with the cleanup. At the moment, it is uncertain what form any assistance might take because of the high flood waters, but we are ready to assist when it is safe... 
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12 January 2011 - Climate scientist David Karoly addressed major media outlets on Wednesday morning to warn that although the Queensland flood crisis could not be directly attributed to climate change, more unstable weather related to global warming was on the way. Australia had already seen increases in record high temperatures and rainfall related to climate change, said Professor Karoly speaking on Channel 10 news and in The Sydney Morning Herald. Professor Karoly, a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and a joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with Al Gore, said Australia needed to prepare for more unforeseen events. Read More  
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13 January 2011- Jerry Yudelson, leading US green building and sustainability consultant and a speaker at last year’s Green Cities 2010 conference in Melbourne has released a list of top worldwide green building trends for 2011. “What we’re seeing is that more people are going green each year, and there is nothing on the horizon that will stop this trend, ” Mr Yudelson said. Green building and sustainability consultant Jerry Yudelson says that the green building industry will rebound in 2011 in spite of the continuing economic difficulties in most developed countries, citing 10 major trends. Speaking about his annual “Top Ten” list of green building trends, the green building expert and author said, “What we’re seeing is that more people are going green each year, and there is nothing on the horizon that will stop this trend.” In a global media release Mr Yudelson said: “In 2010, the slowdown in commercial real estate put a crimp in the start up rate... 
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By Greg Paine Part of a series, Walking with the Elephant, on mindfulness Problem Acting alone to improve behaviours can be discomforting if you appear too different: “Almost no-one in society doing it”; and can lead to frustration if you think others are not as equally caring. Further, nagging and lecturing may not be positive models to encourage change: “When I started preaching his sort of thing … she got fed up … I was pricking her conscience. Which was difficult.” Solution In response, there is now growing acknowledgment of the importance of the self as example. It can have a number of self-reinforcing outcomes: consistent with the idea of small steps (Pattern 1), seeing each individual action as important to the greater, cumulative whole increases its value and promotes a sense of personal empowerment – that personal choices can make a difference, and may be an antidote to “society apathy/disinterest/ disengagement”. “Don’t view it as a burden, focus... 
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By Maria Taylor “Scientists have warned about the ‘greenhouse effect’ for years. Now it is no longer a scientific nightmare; it has arrived.” FAVOURITES – 27 January 2010 – Are these lines, you might ask, from Al Gore’s famous movie or maybe from Tim Flannery’s influential 2005 book The Weather Makers, or the 2008 Garnaut Climate Change Review final report? No. The Sydney Morning Herald published these words in mid-1988. The article went on to detail record- breaking heat and drought in North America and elsewhere and scientists linked these weather effects with predictions for climate change. It was one of many similar stories at the time. A year later, then Liberal NSW premier Nick Greiner told the Financial Review, ‘The (NSW) Government also plans to adopt the international goal of a 20 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2005…this would be achieved by expanding the use of solar, wind and hydro energy,... 
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by Boris Kelly 12 October 2010 -FAVOURITES – Green roofs have long been used in the rural regions of Scandinavia. Commonly termed “sod roofs”, they provided excellent drainage and insulation properties and were ideally suited to the cold climate.  The materials used in the roofs included birch bark, with its excellent water-resistant properties, and various species of turf. These days, 21st Century green roofs have emerged as an increasingly popular option used by architects, builders and landscape designers as a construction solution that combines aesthetics with functionality. According to Sidonie Carpenter, president of Green Roofs Australia , which is holding its annual conference in Adelaide on 22-23 October,  green roofs also have a great deal to contribute to climate change action and environmental sustainability. See story on costs of green roofs The organisation describes a green roof system as an extension of a building’s existing roof. It... 
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By Lynne Blundell 25 November 2010 – Better air quality, views, large windows, patient and staff focus – not doctors – and cities within cities…it’s all part of an evolving greener profile for hospitals. Hospitals have long been major energy munchers – they operate 24/7, their equipment is energy intensive and design has focused on medical priorities, not sustainability. And the worst of it all is that many of these highly institutionalised, inflexible monoliths with unhealthy air and depressing interiors are terrible places for the unwell. Read More  
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By Tina Perinotto 2 December 2010 – The federal government yesterday released the most important document in national urban planning since the Whitlam years – a discussion paper on options for how to manage growth and sustainability for Australia’s biggest urban centres. The paper met with widespread approval from much of the mainstream development industry but might be set for some serious kickback from the residential land development lobby for its stance against greenfield development, for instance. There might even be opposition from the new Victorian Government following controversial comments by incoming premier Ted Baillieu that his government would immediately release more greenfields land for housing Read More  
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15 December 2010 - Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet today released new maps produced in partnership with the Co-operative Research Centre for Spatial Information that identify the impacts of rising sea levels on low-lying areas in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Hunter and Central Coast, and South East Queensland. Mr Combet said in a media statement the maps and a web portal would assist in planning for new residential estates Read More  
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By Lynne Blundell AIRAH conference 2010, Melbourne   – 30 September 2010 – If there was a key theme at the Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating, conference, held in September in Melbourne, it was just how critical good facilities management is for achieving energy efficiency in buildings. Read More  
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By Tina Perinotto 18 November 2010 -Two announcements this morning  from the heartland of the capital markets may be about to usher in a new era for green buildings that can finally provide evidence of their greater value. In Sydney Adrian Harrington,  chairman of  IPD, said the  property Read More  
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It’s Christmas. Magic happens By Tina Perinotto 23 December 2010 – Well this promises to be a corker of a Christmas. We waited until the last week of the working year before doing our ring around to find out the mood for next year. Mistake. So many people have already shut up shop, or left instructions that they are at “all day meetings”. Hmm… we get the drift.  Read More  
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22 December 2010 – DEXUS has put together a team to help Habitat for Humanity to fund a new campaign for 100 Australian women to travel to Nepal and help build homes for some of the poorest female-headed families in the world. The team comprising of chief operating officer Tanya Cox, head of human resources Pat Daniels and head of marketing & communications  Emma Parry has chipped in $1000 from each member as well as travel and accommodation expenses. “We are seeking to raise together at least $15,000 in donations and welcome your support, large or small,” the team said this week. “All donations are tax deductible and go directly to the Nepal Build fundraising campaign.” According to a note distributed by the team, “Nepal is a desperately poor country where more than half the population earns less than $1 per day. Nepali women are particularly disadvantaged, with a life expectancy as low as 52 years.” The project extends for 1 week from Sunday,... 
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22 December 2010 – The Federal Government on Tuesday scrapped the Green Start program and instead extended until the end of February the Green Loans Scheme it was intended to replace. The program was to provide energy assessments to assist households to become sustainable through information and advice. Read More  
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By Lynne Blundell 530 Collins Street Melbourne 6 May 2010 – When GPT’s building at 530 Collins Street was coming up to 20 years old, the property group decided it was time for an upgrade with energy performance a key focus. Originally completed in 1989, it is a landmark building with approximately 68,335 square metres of office accommodation over 38 floors. The building was rated at 2.5 Star NABERS energy efficiency in 2004  – an industry average. Prior to the upgrade GPT purchased 25 per cent Green Power for the building, a contract that commenced in 2007. This brought it up to 4 Star NABERS. Read More  
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by Greg Paine Part of a series, Walking with the Elephant, on mindfulness Problem Where societies have a more cyclical view of time, a concern for what is passed on to those who are younger, and the idea that what has past is still with us, travel together.  In turn, this also breeds a respect for the knowledge of those who are older.  But in our western outlook, time tends to be considered as more linear, and even though we do consider the needs of both those who are older and those who are younger, we typically keep them in separate compartments, and too often privilege the present. For many, past and more frugal times can influence current attitudes. “Grew up in an Italian family. Everything was composted.” “We moved around a bit , therefore couldn’t have many possessions … grandparents quite spartan.” “An actual emotional dislike of waste. Probably comes from not ever having a lot to throw away – the appreciation.”  “My parents [were in] World War I …... 
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21 December 2010 - The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has released its sustainable population issues paper for comment. The paper, A Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia, includes reports from the three  sustainable population advisory panels appointed in July 2010 to establish an open national dialogue on a sustainable population strategy. The advisory panels were: Demographic Change and Liveability, chaired by Professor Graeme Hugo Productivity and Prosperity, chaired by Ms Heather Ridout, and Sustainable Development, chaired by the Hon Bob Carr Minister for Sustainability Tony Burke said the issues paper would encourage community expression around Australia’s changing population and would  help the government deliver its election promise to develop a sustainable population strategy in 2011. “In order to adapt to change and build sustainable communities, the government needs to integrate environmental, social and economic... 
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21 December 2010 - Social entrepreneurial company Barefoot Power has added yet another award to their growing list after being named Australia’s Coolest Company for their innovative LED products by digital business magazine AnthillOnline.com last week. Anthill Magazine editor-in-chief James Tuckerman said the Cool Company Awards judges were wowed by how Barefoot Power’s simple concept made such a difference. “The Coolest Company has demonstrated success by doing things differently or defying convention to bring about positive change,” Mr Tuckerman said. “By replacing kerosene-fed lamps with its highly innovative and practical solar-powered LEDs, Barefoot Power [has provided] the poor with access to electricity and one very necessary tool for economic development… light.” As well as providing cheap lighting, Barefoot Power’s LED products also reduce carbon emissions by eliminating the need to burn kerosene. Barefoot Power co-founder Stewart Craine said the recognition the... 
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