How to make Australia’s growing urban fringes smart Ben Cowling, Civica Australia’s more established communities are using technology to become smarter and more efficient. But smart infrastructure is largely out of reach for fast-growing suburbs that are struggling to provide the basic services. Harnessing data that already exists could be one solution for these new communities.
On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction The Fifth Estate - our view News from the front desk 455: Michael Mobbs, one of Sydney’s most established sustainability gurus looks like he’s thrown in the towel on hope. He might not be throwing himself down on the streets as the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters are, but what he is doing could be more subversive. 8
How to make Australia’s growing urban fringes smart Australia’s more established communities are using technology to become smarter and more efficient. But smart infrastructure is largely out of reach for fast-growing suburbs that are struggling to provide the basic services. Harnessing data that already exists could be one solution for these new communities. How to make Australia’s growing urban fringes smart Ben Cowling, Civica Australia’s more established communities are using technology to become smarter and more efficient. But smart infrastructure is largely out of reach for fast-growing suburbs that are struggling to provide the basic services. Harnessing data that already exists could be one solution for these new communities.
On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction News from the front desk 455: Michael Mobbs, one of Sydney’s most established sustainability gurus looks like he’s thrown in the towel on hope. He might not be throwing himself down on the streets as the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters are, but what he is doing could be more subversive. On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction The Fifth Estate - our view News from the front desk 455: Michael Mobbs, one of Sydney’s most established sustainability gurus looks like he’s thrown in the towel on hope. He might not be throwing himself down on the streets as the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters are, but what he is doing could be more subversive.
Minerals Council joins corporate scramble to go green Some of the most unlikely of corporate suspects are going green – or paying lip service to the cause – bowing to pressure from customers, shareholders and other stakeholders. The… Minerals Council joins corporate scramble to go green Poppy Johnston Some of the most unlikely of corporate suspects are going green – or paying lip service to the cause – bowing to pressure from customers, shareholders and other stakeholders. The…
Food for thought BATHURST BURR: Most of us in Australia have probably never woken up wondering, “Where can I find food to eat today?”. Food for thought Michael Mobbs BATHURST BURR: Most of us in Australia have probably never woken up wondering, “Where can I find food to eat today?”.
Graphene could unlock methane from wastewater for renewable energy source A proven “wonder material” – thin sheets of graphene could be used as inexpensive filters in water treatment and lead to methane-fuelled public transport, among other things. Graphene could unlock methane from wastewater for renewable energy source Georgia Roach A proven “wonder material” – thin sheets of graphene could be used as inexpensive filters in water treatment and lead to methane-fuelled public transport, among other things.
How to make Australia’s growing urban fringes smart Ben Cowling, Civica Australia’s more established communities are using technology to become smarter and more efficient. But smart infrastructure is largely out of reach for fast-growing suburbs that are struggling to provide the basic services. Harnessing data that already exists could be one solution for these new communities.
On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction The Fifth Estate - our view News from the front desk 455: Michael Mobbs, one of Sydney’s most established sustainability gurus looks like he’s thrown in the towel on hope. He might not be throwing himself down on the streets as the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters are, but what he is doing could be more subversive. 8
Minerals Council joins corporate scramble to go green Poppy Johnston Some of the most unlikely of corporate suspects are going green – or paying lip service to the cause – bowing to pressure from customers, shareholders and other stakeholders. The…
Food for thought Michael Mobbs BATHURST BURR: Most of us in Australia have probably never woken up wondering, “Where can I find food to eat today?”. 2
Graphene could unlock methane from wastewater for renewable energy source Georgia Roach A proven “wonder material” – thin sheets of graphene could be used as inexpensive filters in water treatment and lead to methane-fuelled public transport, among other things.
Planning for Sydney’s new airport city won’t include sustainability targets Wendy Frew Planners for Sydney’s aerotropolis know they have to contend with a warming climate but they don’t believe sustainability targets are the way to go.
More must be done to keep us all safe at work Willow Aliento The property market love affair with stone benchtops for bathrooms and kitchens is proving deadly for hundreds of Australian workers. 1
Siloed construction industry reform will fail: We need systems thinking Professor Martin Loosemore, University of New South Wales OPINION: Australia needs a different way of thinking about construction industry reform and systems thinking could hold the key.
NSW government celebrates “biggest single transition of social housing tenancies ever” Georgia Roach The NSW government has celebrated the successful transferal of some 14,000 social housing tenancy management tenders to community housing providers.
Bueno’s head start in Australia and where to next Poppy Johnston Now six years old, the success of Bueno’s data-driven building operations software owes a lot to the maturity of energy performance in the Australian property sector. Now it’s looking to grow its presence overseas, with a new office set to open in New York next year. 1
Deodorants, perfumes and other personal pollution: The next frontier in healthy indoor air? Poppy Johnston Fragrances have been under fire for their toxicity lately and now the evidence is mounting that wearing deodorant and other simple acts of human existence – including breathing – may be the biggest source of air pollution in offices. 9
How cities are decarbonising David Thorpe Now we know that an investment of $1.83 trillion a year in 16 low-carbon measures in cities – about 2 per cent of global GDP – could reduce global urban emissions by 90 per cent by 2050.
Sustainable homes pay dividends in health, jobs and growth Suzanne Toumbourou, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council When you think of an unhealthy house, what comes to mind? Mould, damp, leaks, dark and dingy spaces with poor airflow. You are a product of the home where you live; just ask an asthmatic living in a mouldy or poorly ventilated home.
Five ways to finance energy efficiency building upgrades David Thorpe EUROPE: Financing building upgrades to make them more energy efficient is the subject of much research. It’s estimated it would need around EUR 100 billion (AU$163 billion) a year to meet the European target to tackle climate change.
It's been obvious for decades that the end result of no action on global heating is a planet that is dead to most of us. Our government is criminally …Ingrid Strewe M Env Ed on On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction
It's getting close to panic time and social collapse, if we are reading the signs right. It's dumbfounding that the vast majority though, those outs…cars ruin cities on On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction
Tina Perinotto: I find that so encouraging! We are definitely going to need to work together, so much more than we do now. IErin on On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction
Bob, I have to be careful using these platforms. I’m sure the batteries send alarms when they are low, fine. I have to make sure there are no pigg…Joe Oliphant on Building management system with big energy savings for old HVAC systems
RePlated: Making containers beautiful and convenient Naomi Tarszisz wants to make reusable meal containers as ubiquitous as their coffee cup cousins. She founded RePlated to do just that, and has a convenient formula in mind to get people using them.
Siloed construction industry reform will fail: We need systems thinking Professor Martin Loosemore, University of New South Wales
Sustainable homes pay dividends in health, jobs and growth Suzanne Toumbourou, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council
Tomorrowland19 symposium – I, human The Fifth Estate The built environment, climate and technology are speeding headlong on converging tracks. The next five years are critical. We need to collaborate in extraordinary ways to find the solutions we…
2019 Smart City Awards for a better Sydney Georgia Roach Urban wheelchair tracking technology, Transport for NSW’s Opal card system and a customisable strata app were among the winners this year’s Smart City Awards.
Willoughby Council: Resilience Specialist Advertisement Be responsible for developing resilience strategies throughout the council and the community.
Jobs news: Auckland Council, LOGOS Group, Lendlease The Fifth Estate LOGOS Group, a logistics property specialist, has hired to Jamie Ayers as its new group sustainability manager. His role involves “the integration of sustainability into all facets” of the company’s… 1
Jobs news: BVN; Department of the Environment and Energy; Arcadis The Fifth Estate BVN principal Abbie Galvin is the new NSW Government Architect – marking the first time a woman has held the position since it was created more than 200 years ago.…
AECOM: Sustainability and Resilience Consultant Advertisement AECOM’s Environment Business in Brisbane has an opportunity for a Sustainability & Resilience Consultant to join their growing team
City of Yarra: Environmental Sustainable Development Advisor Advertisement Yarra City Council’s Statutory Planning Department is looking for an enthusiastic Environmentally Sustainable Development Advisor to join their team.
Jobs news: Energetics; Uber Air; Murray Darling Basin Authority The Fifth Estate Energetics has appointed Bahador Tari to lead its team of consultants in Melbourne. Mr Tari has held senior roles at the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, including his…
Climate Clever: National Program & Partnerships Coordinator – East Coast Advertisement Climate Clever is looking for a fun, driven and passionate person to join our fast-paced and exciting Edtech start-up.
Jobs news: Community Housing Limited, Deloitte, Urbis The Fifth Estate Sustainability job salaries are fairly even across the various states and territories, according to a report by Talent Nation. The Fifth Estate covered this report last month, pointing to the…
City of Sydney: Sustainability Engagement Officer (Residential) Advertisement The Sustainability Engagement Officer (Residential) will develop and deliver strategic programs to achieve better environmental performance in residential strata communities.
Jess Scully elected City of Sydney’s new deputy lord mayor The Fifth Estate Jess Scully has been elected deputy lord mayor for the City of Sydney. Scully was elected as a councillor for the City of Sydney in 2016. She’s now the deputy chairperson…
Dr Bronwyn Evans appointed Engineers Australia chief executive officer The Fifth Estate Peak engineering body Engineers Australia has appointed Dr Bronwyn Evans as its new chief executive officer. The electrical engineer has had an extensive career that includes CEO of Standards Australia…
Jobs news: Suburban Rail Loop Authority, Mott MacDonald, Standards Australia The Fifth Estate Senior Victorian bureaucrat, Nick Foa, has been appointed to run the new authority responsible for the state’s biggest transport project, Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop.
City of Sydney: Sustainability Engagement Coordinator – Food Waste Advertisement The City is about to embark on the delivery of a 2-year food waste avoidance program across our local government area.
Jobs news: Arcadis; Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group; Great Places Co The Fifth Estate Jacqui Banks has moved to the private sector after working for the Victorian government since 2016, joining Arcadis as city executive Melbourne. Ms Banks has most recently worked on the…
Jacobs: Sustainability Consultant Advertisement We currently have an exciting opportunity in Melbourne for a Sustainability Consultant to join our dynamic team
Alan Pears on the baby steps towards overcoming governance failures in the building sector Alan Pears It has taken something dramatic like burning building cladding to focus governments on the chronic failings of our building industry when it comes to key aspects of public interest. It… 3
Aussie’s doing great on WorldGBC’s net zero commitment – now for the hard part Poppy Johnston Australia is outperforming on green buildings. Again. This time on net zero buildings. But as an industry round table hosted by Cundall heard, achieving the ambitions will be a challenge and require collaboration.
Large-scale solar isn’t warming all farming hearts There’s a battle brewing in the bush not only around water – or lack thereof – but around solar, and whether it has any business taking over farmland. 2
CitySmart and WePower in PPA group for Brisbane A new partnership between Brisbane City Council and a global technology company will make direct access to renewable energy easier for Queensland’s businesses.
World Energy Congress pushes for pathways to energy transition Major fossil fuel players are planning for the inevitable transition to clean energy – and it was all on display at the latest World Energy Congress, last week.
Nuclear industry must address community concerns Recently promoted as a “green power” alternative, the nuclear option, like so-called clean coal, is a dud and fundamental social concerns about its use remain unaddressed. 1
Minerals Council joins corporate scramble to go green Poppy Johnston Some of the most unlikely of corporate suspects are going green – or paying lip service to the cause – bowing to pressure from customers, shareholders and other stakeholders. The…
Bueno’s head start in Australia and where to next Poppy Johnston Now six years old, the success of Bueno’s data-driven building operations software owes a lot to the maturity of energy performance in the Australian property sector. Now it’s looking to grow its presence overseas, with a new office set to open in New York next year. 1
Five ways to finance energy efficiency building upgrades EUROPE: Financing building upgrades to make them more energy efficient is the subject of much research. It’s estimated it would need around EUR 100 billion (AU$163 billion) a year to meet the European target to tackle climate change.
On why we could probably do without the feds altogether News from the front desk 455: There have long been voices suggesting that three levels of government in Australia is simply impractical. But while state governments are often targeted for not doing enough, it’s the federal government that’s falling short on many key agenda items. 3
NSW building reforms in the works but not everyone is happy The NSW government’s building and construction reforms have kicked up a gear with draft regulation to clean up the certification system released on Monday.
ANZ’s “awesome” leadership on 100 per cent clean energy Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ) has become the latest Australian signatory of The Climate Group’s RE100 initiative, joining the likes of Atlassian and Bank Australia in the global transition to a zero carbon grid. 2
A day in 2030 in your sustainable home Here’s what life will look like in 2030 if Australian governments adopt best practice energy standards that are currently on the table for our homes and appliances.. 4
On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction The Fifth Estate - our view News from the front desk 455: Michael Mobbs, one of Sydney’s most established sustainability gurus looks like he’s thrown in the towel on hope. He might not be throwing himself down on the streets as the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters are, but what he is doing could be more subversive. 8
Deodorants, perfumes and other personal pollution: The next frontier in healthy indoor air? Poppy Johnston Fragrances have been under fire for their toxicity lately and now the evidence is mounting that wearing deodorant and other simple acts of human existence – including breathing – may be the biggest source of air pollution in offices. 9
How cities are decarbonising Now we know that an investment of $1.83 trillion a year in 16 low-carbon measures in cities – about 2 per cent of global GDP – could reduce global urban emissions by 90 per cent by 2050.
The people’s priorities must drive planning in Western Sydney, say community groups In the face of rapid development in Western Sydney, a big gap remains between what the people of Western Sydney need and what the NSW government is delivering. 1
The urgent challenge of net zero embodied carbon OPINION: Climate change is without much doubt the greatest threat now confronting the planet – and the dread most of us feel about accelerating global warming is being deepened by the failure of our elected leaders to act decisively.
Sydney Science Park positioning itself to be a sustainable urban idyll Some clever thinking and a lot of collaboration on a new development in Sydney’s western suburbs could be just the ticket for a model “science city” that is a great place to live and work.
Climate crisis – what’s it good for? In the No 1 Motown hit song War, Edwin Starr asserts that war is good for “absolutely nothing”. So too could this be said of climate change. Yet, while the…
Graphene could unlock methane from wastewater for renewable energy source Georgia Roach A proven “wonder material” – thin sheets of graphene could be used as inexpensive filters in water treatment and lead to methane-fuelled public transport, among other things.
More must be done to keep us all safe at work Willow Aliento The property market love affair with stone benchtops for bathrooms and kitchens is proving deadly for hundreds of Australian workers. 1
NSW government celebrates “biggest single transition of social housing tenancies ever” The NSW government has celebrated the successful transferal of some 14,000 social housing tenancy management tenders to community housing providers.
Sustainable homes pay dividends in health, jobs and growth When you think of an unhealthy house, what comes to mind? Mould, damp, leaks, dark and dingy spaces with poor airflow. You are a product of the home where you live; just ask an asthmatic living in a mouldy or poorly ventilated home.
Coliving – a Millennial utopia or another sharing economy cash grab? Coliving can indeed be fun, social places to live but could the benefits peddled in the brochure be a bit overblown? The Fifth Estate investigates. 3
Where to buy property for the climate emergency Browsing glossy property marketing and getting excited about en suites might be fun but serious investors and home buyers should consider one more thing when deciding what and where to buy: the climate emergency.
NABERS cracks some of the thorniest sectors in 2018-19 EXCLUSIVE: It’s been a big year for NABERS, with shopping centres flocking to the environmental rating tool, indoor environment ratings on the rise, and an expansion into the UK. 1
How to make Australia’s growing urban fringes smart Ben Cowling, Civica Australia’s more established communities are using technology to become smarter and more efficient. But smart infrastructure is largely out of reach for fast-growing suburbs that are struggling to provide the basic services. Harnessing data that already exists could be one solution for these new communities.
On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction The Fifth Estate - our view News from the front desk 455: Michael Mobbs, one of Sydney’s most established sustainability gurus looks like he’s thrown in the towel on hope. He might not be throwing himself down on the streets as the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters are, but what he is doing could be more subversive. 8
Food for thought BATHURST BURR: Most of us in Australia have probably never woken up wondering, “Where can I find food to eat today?”. 2
Siloed construction industry reform will fail: We need systems thinking OPINION: Australia needs a different way of thinking about construction industry reform and systems thinking could hold the key.
Sustainable homes pay dividends in health, jobs and growth When you think of an unhealthy house, what comes to mind? Mould, damp, leaks, dark and dingy spaces with poor airflow. You are a product of the home where you live; just ask an asthmatic living in a mouldy or poorly ventilated home.
On why we could probably do without the feds altogether News from the front desk 455: There have long been voices suggesting that three levels of government in Australia is simply impractical. But while state governments are often targeted for not doing enough, it’s the federal government that’s falling short on many key agenda items. 3
The urgent challenge of net zero embodied carbon OPINION: Climate change is without much doubt the greatest threat now confronting the planet – and the dread most of us feel about accelerating global warming is being deepened by the failure of our elected leaders to act decisively.
Bren Smith: Eat Like a Fish Willow Aliento – book review 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 Willow Aliento – book review 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.
A pathway to One Planet cities Our UK based correspondent David Thorpe has written what’s quickly gaining acclaim as a stunning book that offers a holistic solution to the sustainability crisis on our hands… not that we’re biased of course. Here’s our resident book reviewer Willow Aliento’s take.
Problems and Where to Find them by James Murray-Parkes Some books defy easy description or the usual glib reviewer phrases, and Problems and Where to Find them is just such a book. 3
The sustainable summer reading list Here’s our list of (mostly) relaxing yet educational books to pack into your suitcase this Christmas break. Happy reading.
Tomorrowland 2018 – the ebook The Fifth Estate is immensely proud to bring you our latest ebook, Tomorrowland: the urban agenda, based on our Tomorrowland 2018 signature event. 4
No Place Like Home – repairing Australia’s housing crisis BOOK REVIEW: Regular readers of The Fifth Estate who have been following our coverage of housing issues – around affordability, sustainability, homelessness and urban planning are going to love this book.
How to make Australia’s growing urban fringes smart Ben Cowling, Civica Australia’s more established communities are using technology to become smarter and more efficient. But smart infrastructure is largely out of reach for fast-growing suburbs that are struggling to provide the basic services. Harnessing data that already exists could be one solution for these new communities.
On why Mobbs is just part of the chain reaction The Fifth Estate - our view News from the front desk 455: Michael Mobbs, one of Sydney’s most established sustainability gurus looks like he’s thrown in the towel on hope. He might not be throwing himself down on the streets as the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters are, but what he is doing could be more subversive. 8
Minerals Council joins corporate scramble to go green Poppy Johnston Some of the most unlikely of corporate suspects are going green – or paying lip service to the cause – bowing to pressure from customers, shareholders and other stakeholders. The…
Food for thought Michael Mobbs BATHURST BURR: Most of us in Australia have probably never woken up wondering, “Where can I find food to eat today?”. 2
Graphene could unlock methane from wastewater for renewable energy source Georgia Roach A proven “wonder material” – thin sheets of graphene could be used as inexpensive filters in water treatment and lead to methane-fuelled public transport, among other things.
Planning for Sydney’s new airport city won’t include sustainability targets Wendy Frew Planners for Sydney’s aerotropolis know they have to contend with a warming climate but they don’t believe sustainability targets are the way to go.
More must be done to keep us all safe at work Willow Aliento The property market love affair with stone benchtops for bathrooms and kitchens is proving deadly for hundreds of Australian workers. 1
Siloed construction industry reform will fail: We need systems thinking Professor Martin Loosemore, University of New South Wales OPINION: Australia needs a different way of thinking about construction industry reform and systems thinking could hold the key.
NSW government celebrates “biggest single transition of social housing tenancies ever” Georgia Roach The NSW government has celebrated the successful transferal of some 14,000 social housing tenancy management tenders to community housing providers.
Bueno’s head start in Australia and where to next Poppy Johnston Now six years old, the success of Bueno’s data-driven building operations software owes a lot to the maturity of energy performance in the Australian property sector. Now it’s looking to grow its presence overseas, with a new office set to open in New York next year. 1
Deodorants, perfumes and other personal pollution: The next frontier in healthy indoor air? Poppy Johnston Fragrances have been under fire for their toxicity lately and now the evidence is mounting that wearing deodorant and other simple acts of human existence – including breathing – may be the biggest source of air pollution in offices. 9
How cities are decarbonising David Thorpe Now we know that an investment of $1.83 trillion a year in 16 low-carbon measures in cities – about 2 per cent of global GDP – could reduce global urban emissions by 90 per cent by 2050.
Willoughby Council: Resilience Specialist Advertisement Be responsible for developing resilience strategies throughout the council and the community.
Jobs news: Auckland Council, LOGOS Group, Lendlease The Fifth Estate LOGOS Group, a logistics property specialist, has hired to Jamie Ayers as its new group sustainability manager. His role involves “the integration of sustainability into all facets” of the company’s… 1
Jobs news: BVN; Department of the Environment and Energy; Arcadis The Fifth Estate BVN principal Abbie Galvin is the new NSW Government Architect – marking the first time a woman has held the position since it was created more than 200 years ago.…
RePlated: Making containers beautiful and convenient Naomi Tarszisz wants to make reusable meal containers as ubiquitous as their coffee cup cousins. She founded RePlated to do just that, and has a convenient formula in mind to get people using them.
