Yes, wheelchair users can work in construction. Let’s see this as an opportunity Jonathan Fritsch, University of South Australia For an industry that involves climbing ladders and working in confined spaces, construction seems inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. But according to construction academic from the University of South Australia, Jonathan Fritsch, this isn’t always the cas
On why the net zero all-electric challenge deserves the biggest brains trust we can manage (on 5 August at Flick the Switch) News from the front desk, issue 491: There’s pretty much consensus, in The Fifth Estate’s circles at least, that going all-electric is the most straight-forward way for most buildings to… 5
Flick the Switch! A Fifth Estate symposium and ebook It’s the biggest, most exciting and critically important challenge we face in the built environment. How to Flick the Switch to a Net Zero future and all electric buildings and cities. Flick the Switch! A Fifth Estate symposium and ebook The Fifth Estate It’s the biggest, most exciting and critically important challenge we face in the built environment. How to Flick the Switch to a Net Zero future and all electric buildings and cities.
Flick the Switch is on – we’re really excited (and just a tad busy!) You’ll have to excuse us for this lighter edition of our newsletter because we’ve been busy bees working on our Flick the Switch event tomorrow, which has attracted more attendees than we’ve ever had at any previous events! Flick the Switch is on – we’re really excited (and just a tad busy!) The Fifth Estate You’ll have to excuse us for this lighter edition of our newsletter because we’ve been busy bees working on our Flick the Switch event tomorrow, which has attracted more attendees than we’ve ever had at any previous events!
Yes, wheelchair users can work in construction. Let’s see this as an opportunity For an industry that involves climbing ladders and working in confined spaces, construction seems inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. But according to construction academic from the University of South Australia, Jonathan Fritsch, this isn’t always the cas Yes, wheelchair users can work in construction. Let’s see this as an opportunity Jonathan Fritsch, University of South Australia For an industry that involves climbing ladders and working in confined spaces, construction seems inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. But according to construction academic from the University of South Australia, Jonathan Fritsch, this isn’t always the cas
We need to get real about bushfires in Australia and make homes “fire wise” Just as new drivers must pass a driving test, people should need to prove, through a planning, design and management process, that they are doing all they can to create a “fire wise” space to live in. We need to get real about bushfires in Australia and make homes “fire wise” Chris Ferreira, The Forever Project Just as new drivers must pass a driving test, people should need to prove, through a planning, design and management process, that they are doing all they can to create a “fire wise” space to live in.
Green Gigs: Bendigo’s “post-landfill” future, small business energy efficiency, urban growth models and compostable bags A round up of business opportunities in sustainability, including government tenders, grants and accelerator programs. Green Gigs: Bendigo’s “post-landfill” future, small business energy efficiency, urban growth models and compostable bags Mollie Hersh A round up of business opportunities in sustainability, including government tenders, grants and accelerator programs.
Flick the Switch! A Fifth Estate symposium and ebook The Fifth Estate It’s the biggest, most exciting and critically important challenge we face in the built environment. How to Flick the Switch to a Net Zero future and all electric buildings and cities.
Flick the Switch is on – we’re really excited (and just a tad busy!) The Fifth Estate You’ll have to excuse us for this lighter edition of our newsletter because we’ve been busy bees working on our Flick the Switch event tomorrow, which has attracted more attendees than we’ve ever had at any previous events!
Yes, wheelchair users can work in construction. Let’s see this as an opportunity Jonathan Fritsch, University of South Australia For an industry that involves climbing ladders and working in confined spaces, construction seems inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. But according to construction academic from the University of South Australia, Jonathan Fritsch, this isn’t always the cas
We need to get real about bushfires in Australia and make homes “fire wise” Chris Ferreira, The Forever Project Just as new drivers must pass a driving test, people should need to prove, through a planning, design and management process, that they are doing all they can to create a “fire wise” space to live in.
Green Gigs: Bendigo’s “post-landfill” future, small business energy efficiency, urban growth models and compostable bags Mollie Hersh A round up of business opportunities in sustainability, including government tenders, grants and accelerator programs.
Auckland’s ambitious climate plan to tackle transport, energy Roxanne Fitzgerald This month, New Zealand’s Auckland Council adopted a unique plan for tackling climate change centred on cutting transport emissions, retrofitting buildings and transitioning to a clean energy system.
On why the net zero all-electric challenge deserves the biggest brains trust we can manage (on 5 August at Flick the Switch) News from the front desk, issue 491: There’s pretty much consensus, in The Fifth Estate’s circles at least, that going all-electric is the most straight-forward way for most buildings to… 5
Cbus Property aims for the top with its latest sustainability report Roxanne Fitzgerald Cbus Property this week released its sustainability report outlining significant in-roads over the past 12 months and targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Since updating its commitment…
Is it time for a universal basic income? Stephen Dark Like cheese from Chernobyl, the prospect of prolonged debt and deficit has long been viewed as unpalatable.
What just happened? How we need to be investing in a responsible recovery Jillian Reid, Mercer As we suspended business as usual during the pandemic what’s impossible to inore is that “responsible investment strategies, that is, those that more actively factor in social and environmental risks…
To restore our cities’ rivers, we need to decolonise the law reform process Bruce Lindsay, Environmental Justice Australia The Yarra Birrarung’s bicultural model recognises the Yarra (Birrarung) corridor in Melbourne as a “living” natural entity of bicultural character: both traditional owner and settler-Australia. But although it offers a…
Why natural ventilation is so hard to come by Russell Hall Natural ventilation, or lack of. The modernist triumph of bare-arse glass for fully airconditioned office buildings has become the ubiquitous answer for high rise residential. Brisbane is now plagued by… 5
Net-positive or eco-positive buildings have not been measured, but are not impossible with substantial multifunctional design that, for example, incre…Janis on Are green building rating tools ready for a paradigm shift?
All these ventilation problems presuppose that the air outside is fresh and breathable. Once upon a time I was in that mode too ... if there were no o…Rita de Heer on Why natural ventilation is so hard to come by
Hi Guys, Everything Russell and contributors said is this article contributes to exposing the ventilation issues, there are various solutions, I see …graeme doreian on Why natural ventilation is so hard to come by
Thank you Russell very much for your powerful story. And the additional comments made on risks from mould compound this extremely serious situation. …Tim Renouf on Why natural ventilation is so hard to come by
Australian Window Association: Trajectory for energy efficiency in windows is upwards The Australian Window Association is actively engaged in the construction compliance and building energy efficiency spaces.
Yes, wheelchair users can work in construction. Let’s see this as an opportunity Jonathan Fritsch, University of South Australia
On why the net zero all-electric challenge deserves the biggest brains trust we can manage (on 5 August at Flick the Switch)
Governance Institute of Australia launches new handbook to help companies disclose climate change risks
Jobs news: Jane Fitzgerald GSC’s interim CEO + our pick A green recovery is on the agenda for Western Australia, with the state government pouring $60 million into environmental projects to create more than 1000 conservation jobs. The plan is part…
Jobs news: Victorian job market feeling the lockdown + our pick of the jobs The Fifth Estate The jobs market continues to rebound, with many employers likely to be feeling relieved by the news that JobKeeper will be extended (albeit at a more targeted, lower rate) for…
Jobs news: Skills shortages threaten infrastructure-led recovery + our pick The Fifth Estate “Shovel ready” infrastructure projects are playing a starring role in Australian post-pandemic recovery as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Jobs news: Deo Prasad; Jane MacMaster; Tanya Cox + our picks The Fifth Estate It’s a tumultuous time for the jobs market, with almost a million Australians out of a job at the last count.
Job movements and our pick of the jobs The Fifth Estate Job advertisements on SEEK are on the rise according to the company’s latest “employment snapshot” (a Covid-recovery fixture) but still at 68.3 per cent of pre-COVID levels. According to the…
Six ways to pivot your career in a time of uncertainty Dr Kaushik Sridhar A few months ago, I made a temporary career pivot. Others may call it a major career change, but I respectfully disagree. My reasoning lies in the definition between the…
Job movements: Mark Steinert, Lisa McCutchion, Jonathan Cartledge, and our pick of the jobs The Fifth Estate Job movements and our pick of the jobs.
McCain Foods go big in Ballarat with renewables Poppy Johnston In the race to decarbonise the economy, industrial processing is a tough nut to crack given the amount of heat needed to process goods. But there’s signs of progress, with frozen food giant McCain Foods committing to what it claims is Australia’s largest behind-the-meter renewable energy system. 1
How Covid is changing the way we use energy Alan Pears, RMIT As response to Covid-19 becomes the “new normal”, lots of people are predicting what will happen beyond the immediate crisis. The obvious answer is “it depends”. It depends on how governments, business and households react. The reality is there will be powerful competing forces.
Next generation fault detection throws away the rule book Imagine a self-learning or machine-learning system for fault detection. One where algorithms find patterns and correlations between a range of data sources to work out the most efficient order for…
There are ways to beat the big energy bill shocks in September Many households are bracing for enormous energy bills in September thanks to the Covid lockdown. It’s no wonder the residential solar industry is booming.
Yes, Mr Cummings, energy efficiency is boring – if you have a one inch deep mind The evil gnome who has taken up permanent residence on the shoulder of British prime minister Boris Johnson and whispers dark instructions into his ears, last week pronounced energy efficiency… 2
Multi million dollar renewable energy deals for Australia’s biggest cities Australia’s two largest cities and Adelaide City Council are stepping out in front with major renewable energy commitments starting this month. The City of Sydney announced that starting 1 July,…
Alan Pears: Submission on the federal government’s Technology Investment Roadmap The Technology Investment Roadmap discussion paper provides a useful review of a range of technologies that could contribute to management of Australia’s climate impact. But this is just one (important) element of the actions required for Australia to build a successful clean energy-based economy. 1
Green Gigs: Bendigo’s “post-landfill” future, small business energy efficiency, urban growth models and compostable bags Mollie Hersh A round up of business opportunities in sustainability, including government tenders, grants and accelerator programs.
Cbus Property aims for the top with its latest sustainability report Roxanne Fitzgerald Cbus Property this week released its sustainability report outlining significant in-roads over the past 12 months and targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Since updating its commitment…
Is it time for a universal basic income? Like cheese from Chernobyl, the prospect of prolonged debt and deficit has long been viewed as unpalatable.
What just happened? How we need to be investing in a responsible recovery As we suspended business as usual during the pandemic what’s impossible to inore is that “responsible investment strategies, that is, those that more actively factor in social and environmental risks…
Green Gigs: Penrith biodiversity corridor, Rockhampton recycling and connecting walkways A round up of business opportunities in sustainability, including government tenders, grants and accelerator programs.
Green Wallet: A simple star rating to prove your spending is green Everything we buy has a price tag on the environment. From your morning coffee to the new shoes bought for work, everything we purchase has a carbon footprint. For Tom… 4
Europeans and many global companies choose a green stimulus, while some reverse It’s time for Australia to make a clear call on what kind of stimulus it wants. The road back to recovery is not just roads
Flick the Switch is on – we’re really excited (and just a tad busy!) The Fifth Estate You’ll have to excuse us for this lighter edition of our newsletter because we’ve been busy bees working on our Flick the Switch event tomorrow, which has attracted more attendees than we’ve ever had at any previous events!
We need to get real about bushfires in Australia and make homes “fire wise” Chris Ferreira, The Forever Project Just as new drivers must pass a driving test, people should need to prove, through a planning, design and management process, that they are doing all they can to create a “fire wise” space to live in.
Auckland’s ambitious climate plan to tackle transport, energy This month, New Zealand’s Auckland Council adopted a unique plan for tackling climate change centred on cutting transport emissions, retrofitting buildings and transitioning to a clean energy system.
To restore our cities’ rivers, we need to decolonise the law reform process The Yarra Birrarung’s bicultural model recognises the Yarra (Birrarung) corridor in Melbourne as a “living” natural entity of bicultural character: both traditional owner and settler-Australia. But although it offers a…
Horsley Park urban farm to bolster Sydney’s shrinking food bowl A corridor of park land cutting through Western Sydney’s dense and busy suburbs is set to be developed into a thriving urban farm, bolstering the city’s food bowl that is at risk of disappearing. 2
We need 3 things to deal with coastal erosion In these stormy days, one is reminded of Charles Dudley Warner’s quip: “Everyone complains about the weather, but no one does anything about it”. This past week, much to the…
Environment Minister Sussan Ley is in a tearing hurry to embrace nature law reform – and that’s a worry The Morrison government on Monday released a long-awaited interim review into Australia’s federal environment law. The ten-year review found Australia’s natural environment is declining and under increasing threat. The current environmental trajectory is “unsustainable” and the law “ineffective”.
Yes, wheelchair users can work in construction. Let’s see this as an opportunity Jonathan Fritsch, University of South Australia For an industry that involves climbing ladders and working in confined spaces, construction seems inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. But according to construction academic from the University of South Australia, Jonathan Fritsch, this isn’t always the cas
Why natural ventilation is so hard to come by Russell Hall Natural ventilation, or lack of. The modernist triumph of bare-arse glass for fully airconditioned office buildings has become the ubiquitous answer for high rise residential. Brisbane is now plagued by… 5
Flick the Switch: heating and cooling is the big challenge so are heat pumps the answer? One of the key speakers at Flick the Switch next Wednesday, Stiebel Eltron’s Glenn Day, will tackle the potential of heat pumps to pave the way to net zero. But it’s not easy: the hurdles are tough, especially for existing buildings. 2
Why construction teams should embrace rather than fear AI and automation When the topic of robots in the workforce gets brought up, it’s easy to feel a little uncomfortable. After all, we commonly hear comments like, “one day when robots are…
Social housing is not a bloody-minded numbers game The truth is, governments have the power to solve social housing shortages and homelessness. But once social housing becomes a bloody-minded numbers game of delays, deficits, and denials, it invariably degenerates into the dark art of political obfuscation.
Hold onto your wallets and your imagination – what’s new in tech world It’s exciting that on nearly every front where we can see problems there is almost equal energy expended in finding solutions. Call it the optimism gene but it’s working for us!
Are green building rating tools ready for a paradigm shift? According to Professor Janis Birkeland, green building rating tools are improving but they are only improving upon a flawed conceptual model. 7
Yes, wheelchair users can work in construction. Let’s see this as an opportunity Jonathan Fritsch, University of South Australia For an industry that involves climbing ladders and working in confined spaces, construction seems inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. But according to construction academic from the University of South Australia, Jonathan Fritsch, this isn’t always the cas
On why the net zero all-electric challenge deserves the biggest brains trust we can manage (on 5 August at Flick the Switch) News from the front desk, issue 491: There’s pretty much consensus, in The Fifth Estate’s circles at least, that going all-electric is the most straight-forward way for most buildings to… 5
Why natural ventilation is so hard to come by Natural ventilation, or lack of. The modernist triumph of bare-arse glass for fully airconditioned office buildings has become the ubiquitous answer for high rise residential. Brisbane is now plagued by… 5
Europeans and many global companies choose a green stimulus, while some reverse It’s time for Australia to make a clear call on what kind of stimulus it wants. The road back to recovery is not just roads
Social housing is not a bloody-minded numbers game The truth is, governments have the power to solve social housing shortages and homelessness. But once social housing becomes a bloody-minded numbers game of delays, deficits, and denials, it invariably degenerates into the dark art of political obfuscation.
On why we shouldn’t devolve environmental protections to the states (without extreme caution) It’s always sobering to be reminded that Australia is the extinction capital of the world. 2
We need 3 things to deal with coastal erosion In these stormy days, one is reminded of Charles Dudley Warner’s quip: “Everyone complains about the weather, but no one does anything about it”. This past week, much to the…
Flick the Switch! A Fifth Estate symposium and ebook The Fifth Estate It’s the biggest, most exciting and critically important challenge we face in the built environment. How to Flick the Switch to a Net Zero future and all electric buildings and cities.
Flick the Switch! Join us on the most important journey of discovery yet The Fifth Estate Our latest event and ebook started with the notion that we need to understand how to create a net zero future and all-electric buildings and cities. It was time to…
New podcast ep: Esther Bailey on the quiet achievement of public service The Fifth Estate Some people have a knack for driving change, and Esther Bailey is one of them. Joining our editor Tina Perinotto on the How to Build a Better World podcast this… 1
Jack Mundey, the Liverpudlian and some other expats Michael Paton MEMOIRS: Some reflections on the impact of Jack Mundey, who pioneered the green bans movement to protect the built environment and who passed away this week. My partner Lisa had… 1
Book review: Ecopiety: Green Media and the Dilemma of Environmental Virtue This book dives into what it means to be a consumer at the heart of two conflicting narratives – buying stuff is good for the economy, and consuming resources is bad for the environment.
Book Review: Finding the Heart of the Nation by Thomas Mayor Finding the Heart of the Nation: The Journey of the Uluru Statement towards Voice, Treaty and Truth is an opportunity to sit in stillness and listen to the voices of the oldest human culture on this planet. 1
New energy performance book should be mandatory reading for architects and policy-makers Architects love to design buildings but how many are taking responsibility for energy performance? A new book published in the UK goes head to head with the facts.
Bren Smith: Eat Like a Fish Many like to call themselves disruptors but Eat Like A Fish author Bren Smith is absolutely not the standard corporate disruptor-type who presents well in a suit.
2040: A Handbook for the Regeneration It can be hard to feel hopeful about the future of life on earth some days, particularly in the current political climate in most English-speaking nations.
Flick the Switch! A Fifth Estate symposium and ebook The Fifth Estate It’s the biggest, most exciting and critically important challenge we face in the built environment. How to Flick the Switch to a Net Zero future and all electric buildings and cities.
Flick the Switch is on – we’re really excited (and just a tad busy!) The Fifth Estate You’ll have to excuse us for this lighter edition of our newsletter because we’ve been busy bees working on our Flick the Switch event tomorrow, which has attracted more attendees than we’ve ever had at any previous events!
Yes, wheelchair users can work in construction. Let’s see this as an opportunity Jonathan Fritsch, University of South Australia For an industry that involves climbing ladders and working in confined spaces, construction seems inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. But according to construction academic from the University of South Australia, Jonathan Fritsch, this isn’t always the cas
We need to get real about bushfires in Australia and make homes “fire wise” Chris Ferreira, The Forever Project Just as new drivers must pass a driving test, people should need to prove, through a planning, design and management process, that they are doing all they can to create a “fire wise” space to live in.
Green Gigs: Bendigo’s “post-landfill” future, small business energy efficiency, urban growth models and compostable bags Mollie Hersh A round up of business opportunities in sustainability, including government tenders, grants and accelerator programs.
Auckland’s ambitious climate plan to tackle transport, energy Roxanne Fitzgerald This month, New Zealand’s Auckland Council adopted a unique plan for tackling climate change centred on cutting transport emissions, retrofitting buildings and transitioning to a clean energy system.
On why the net zero all-electric challenge deserves the biggest brains trust we can manage (on 5 August at Flick the Switch) News from the front desk, issue 491: There’s pretty much consensus, in The Fifth Estate’s circles at least, that going all-electric is the most straight-forward way for most buildings to… 5
Cbus Property aims for the top with its latest sustainability report Roxanne Fitzgerald Cbus Property this week released its sustainability report outlining significant in-roads over the past 12 months and targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Since updating its commitment…
Is it time for a universal basic income? Stephen Dark Like cheese from Chernobyl, the prospect of prolonged debt and deficit has long been viewed as unpalatable.
What just happened? How we need to be investing in a responsible recovery Jillian Reid, Mercer As we suspended business as usual during the pandemic what’s impossible to inore is that “responsible investment strategies, that is, those that more actively factor in social and environmental risks…
To restore our cities’ rivers, we need to decolonise the law reform process Bruce Lindsay, Environmental Justice Australia The Yarra Birrarung’s bicultural model recognises the Yarra (Birrarung) corridor in Melbourne as a “living” natural entity of bicultural character: both traditional owner and settler-Australia. But although it offers a…
Why natural ventilation is so hard to come by Russell Hall Natural ventilation, or lack of. The modernist triumph of bare-arse glass for fully airconditioned office buildings has become the ubiquitous answer for high rise residential. Brisbane is now plagued by… 5
Jobs news: Jane Fitzgerald GSC’s interim CEO + our pick A green recovery is on the agenda for Western Australia, with the state government pouring $60 million into environmental projects to create more than 1000 conservation jobs. The plan is part…
Jobs news: Victorian job market feeling the lockdown + our pick of the jobs The Fifth Estate The jobs market continues to rebound, with many employers likely to be feeling relieved by the news that JobKeeper will be extended (albeit at a more targeted, lower rate) for…
Jobs news: Skills shortages threaten infrastructure-led recovery + our pick The Fifth Estate “Shovel ready” infrastructure projects are playing a starring role in Australian post-pandemic recovery as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Jobs news: Deo Prasad; Jane MacMaster; Tanya Cox + our picks The Fifth Estate It’s a tumultuous time for the jobs market, with almost a million Australians out of a job at the last count.
Job movements and our pick of the jobs The Fifth Estate Job advertisements on SEEK are on the rise according to the company’s latest “employment snapshot” (a Covid-recovery fixture) but still at 68.3 per cent of pre-COVID levels. According to the…
Six ways to pivot your career in a time of uncertainty Dr Kaushik Sridhar A few months ago, I made a temporary career pivot. Others may call it a major career change, but I respectfully disagree. My reasoning lies in the definition between the…
Job movements: Mark Steinert, Lisa McCutchion, Jonathan Cartledge, and our pick of the jobs The Fifth Estate Job movements and our pick of the jobs.
Australian Window Association: Trajectory for energy efficiency in windows is upwards The Australian Window Association is actively engaged in the construction compliance and building energy efficiency spaces.
