Five ways cities can step up on climate change Alix Pearce, Climate Council New leaders are emerging to meet the climate challenge. Cities and towns in Australia and across the world are taking charge of their future and moving swiftly to reduce their climate impact and secure a clean energy future for their residents.
On Byron Bay’s slow democracy and fast money – a summer special The Fifth Estate If Byron can’t make good planning and a healthy environment stick, with its lush history of hippies and deep greens, then it’s going to be a lot harder for anyone else. 1
The post-carbon community café that rose from the ashes of a filling station A former failing gas filling station in the UK is now thriving community-run eco-café and shop where you can charge your electric car – a great exemplar of the transition… The post-carbon community café that rose from the ashes of a filling station David Thorpe A former failing gas filling station in the UK is now thriving community-run eco-café and shop where you can charge your electric car – a great exemplar of the transition…
Alice Thompson leaves KPMG, hopes to move to Canberra KMPG will have a tough time finding a replacement the equal of its departing cities director Alice Thompson. Alice Thompson leaves KPMG, hopes to move to Canberra Tina Perinotto KMPG will have a tough time finding a replacement the equal of its departing cities director Alice Thompson.
NABERS eyes off schools, retail and warehouses in five-year plan NABERS has big plans for the next five years according to the 2019-2023 draft strategic plan released on Tuesday. NABERS eyes off schools, retail and warehouses in five-year plan Poppy Johnston NABERS has big plans for the next five years according to the 2019-2023 draft strategic plan released on Tuesday.
Five ways cities can step up on climate change New leaders are emerging to meet the climate challenge. Cities and towns in Australia and across the world are taking charge of their future and moving swiftly to reduce their climate impact and secure a clean energy future for their residents. Five ways cities can step up on climate change Alix Pearce, Climate Council New leaders are emerging to meet the climate challenge. Cities and towns in Australia and across the world are taking charge of their future and moving swiftly to reduce their climate impact and secure a clean energy future for their residents.
Infrastructure in 2019: Arcadis sees no signs of slowing and contractors stretched to breaking point Spending on transport infrastructure remains huge and according to Arcadis managing director infrastructure Australia-Pacific Phil Kajewski, we likely haven’t even reached the peak. Infrastructure in 2019: Arcadis sees no signs of slowing and contractors stretched to breaking point Poppy Johnston Spending on transport infrastructure remains huge and according to Arcadis managing director infrastructure Australia-Pacific Phil Kajewski, we likely haven’t even reached the peak.
The post-carbon community café that rose from the ashes of a filling station David Thorpe A former failing gas filling station in the UK is now thriving community-run eco-café and shop where you can charge your electric car – a great exemplar of the transition…
NABERS eyes off schools, retail and warehouses in five-year plan Poppy Johnston NABERS has big plans for the next five years according to the 2019-2023 draft strategic plan released on Tuesday.
Flow Systems in voluntary administration The Fifth Estate Flow Systems that gave Sydney a host of innovative and sustainable water and energy solutions is in voluntary administration.
Five ways cities can step up on climate change Alix Pearce, Climate Council New leaders are emerging to meet the climate challenge. Cities and towns in Australia and across the world are taking charge of their future and moving swiftly to reduce their climate impact and secure a clean energy future for their residents.
Infrastructure in 2019: Arcadis sees no signs of slowing and contractors stretched to breaking point Poppy Johnston Spending on transport infrastructure remains huge and according to Arcadis managing director infrastructure Australia-Pacific Phil Kajewski, we likely haven’t even reached the peak.
New $1 billion Cbus project in Melbourne will be a wellness oasis Poppy Johnston The wellness revolution in commercial property shows no sign of abating with Cbus Property’s proposal for a 55-storey office tower in Melbourne’s CBD featuring a four-level flexible wellness hub.
Graphene stars in Passivhaus retrofit of Victorian townhouses David Thorpe Passivehaus homes used to have a distinctive look but with the help of a few prize-winning materials such as graphene there’s now more variation in look and style than ever before – even Victorian-era townhouses are getting the Passivehaus treatment.
Microsoft invests $500 million in affordable housing in its home town Poppy Johnston Urban renewal or social cleansing? It’s an increasingly fraught question as traditional occupants are pushed out by rising prices and elite workers, but now one tech giant is trying hard to reverse the trends. 1
On Byron Bay’s slow democracy and fast money – a summer special The Fifth Estate If Byron can’t make good planning and a healthy environment stick, with its lush history of hippies and deep greens, then it’s going to be a lot harder for anyone else. 1
Private property owners lose epic Byron Bay seawall case Poppy Johnston In a win for Byron Bay beachgoers, the NSW Land and Environment Court has rejected an appeal from three coastal property owners to repair failing seawalls on Belongil Beach with 900 tonnes of rock on the grounds that the finished product would restrict public access and use of the beach.
Australia’s wicked energy problem and creative ways to solve it Alan Pears, RMIT University The moving feast that is energy policy continues to bemuse, frustrate and confuse on many fronts.
The Fifth Estate would love some support! Become a member of our community The Fifth Estate Join The Fifth Estate member community and help us keep building the best online newspaper on sustainability in Australia.
Investa nabs first green loan, Climate Bonds Initiative-approved Poppy Johnston Investa is laying claim to Australia’s first green loan for a $170 million facility that is globally recognised by the Climate Bonds Initiative.
First city council to achieve renewables-only power Poppy Johnston Melbourne City Council has leapt ahead of the renewables race with its announcement that it will be now be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
Thank-you Jan Barham for representing the locals during your stint as Mayor. What an amazing woman and leader. I lived in Byron Shire from 2008- 2015…Daniel Wurm on On Byron Bay’s slow democracy and fast money – a summer special
All good stuff. I hope there are people involved who are going to include a universal design approach to this housing. Being affordable is one thing, …Jane Bringolf on Microsoft invests $500 million in affordable housing in its home town
Thanks for your comments Anne. I know they are heartfelt and come from deep knowledge of the industry you've investigated and written about for so lon…Tina Perinotto on SafeWork NSW, it’s seriously time to toughen up on safety
David I believe that by 'failing', that is by not enforcing the law, the Government agencies are fulfilling their REAl brief. The 'laws' are a conduit…Anne Paten on SafeWork NSW, it’s seriously time to toughen up on safety
CRC for Low Carbon Living research is changing the eco performance of schools, buildings, concrete and tourism Here are four videos from the CRC for Low Carbon Living that bring you the fruits of their years of research into how to lower the carbon footprint of Australia’s buildings, concrete production, schools, the tourist industry.
Waste crusade wins First State Super top CitySwitch award Poppy Johnston First State Super’s first-ever “war on waste” challenge to teach staff to curb office waste has won the not-for-profit superannuation fund the Signatory of the Year (over 2000 square metres) award at this year’s National CitySwitch Awards.
Banksia Awards shine the green light Poppy Johnston The Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star program has come out on top at the 2018 Banksia Sustainability Awards – now in its 30th year – winning the sustainability award for not-for-profits and non-government organisations.
Macquarie Group picking up its green threads Tina Perinotto Macquarie Group’s new chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake might be trying to reverse some of the damage from its bad old #MeFirst days with a new thrust into climate action and green investment.
New chief executive officer for Australian Institute of Architects Julia Cambage has been appointed as chief executive officer of the Australian Institute of Architects. Ms Cambage joins the architecture profession’s peak body from youth charity and mentoring organisation TRY…
Alice Thompson leaves KPMG, hopes to move to Canberra Tina Perinotto KMPG will have a tough time finding a replacement the equal of its departing cities director Alice Thompson.
Chief Executive Officer: Green Building Council of Australia via People for Purpose Advertisement This is a unique opportunity to drive the transformation of Australia’s built environment to be more healthy, productive and sustainable.
Architect Chris Godsell joins nettletontribe The Fifth Estate Chris Godsell has been appointed associate director of nettletontribe’s Melbourne studio.
AECOM nabs Arup’s Amy Child The Fifth Estate Amy Child has joined AECOM’s Planning and Design team in Victoria after almost five years at Arup. 1
Infrastructure Australia gets new CEO The Fifth Estate After 13 years as chief executive officer of the Green Building Council of Australia, Romilly Madew is stepping down to head up Infrastructure Australia.
Martin Haese takes on new role The Fifth Estate New Adelaide Lord Mayor is Sandy Verschoor replacing Martin Haese who has been appointed chair of the Premier’s Climate Change Council.
Our pick of the jobs this week and a few predictions for 2019 The Fifth Estate It’s busier than it’s ever been at environment and sustainability recruitment firm Talent Nation. And according to managing director Richard Evans, the spike in demand is about more than just the 25 December Christmas deadline.
BVN has a new lineup The Fifth Estate Architects BVN has announced new co-chief executive office team appointing Neil Logan who will be based in Brisbane and Ninotschka Titchkosky who will be based in Sydney to the shared…
Australia’s wicked energy problem and creative ways to solve it Alan Pears, RMIT University The moving feast that is energy policy continues to bemuse, frustrate and confuse on many fronts.
ICG secures CEFC’s biggest-ever renewables equity investment Poppy Johnston The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed its largest ever equity investment to the Australian Renewables Income Fund (ARIF) in order to attract more institutional investors to the fast-growing sector.
Dexus signs up to seven years of Snowy Hydro energy Snowy Hydro-owned Red Energy will provide off-site renewable energy to more than 40 Dexus buildings in New South Wales through a new deal signed today (Thursday).
Behaviour rises up the ranks of efficiency trends Human nature and behaviour patterns are increasingly coming to the fore in managing energy efficiency for commercial buildings in particular. Now Johnson Controls has released a report showing it’s a rising trend.
Aged Care portfolio on solar and LED blitz One of Australia’s biggest energy efficiency programs in the energy-intensive aged care sector is underway, with Verdia outfitting 54 Opal Aged Care properties on the easter seaboard with LED lights and solar panels.
Enliten: a formula for an energy transition for Australia General frustration with the largely negative debate in Australia around a clean energy transition has inspired industry expert Jonathan Jutsen to develop a formula for a way forward. He’s interested in collaboration.
Blame the failure to decommission coal for renewables’ sluggish growth Any Australians tearing their hair out (if they have any left) about their government’s position on climate change have long suspected that its failure to decommission the country’s coal and oil-fired power plants has been the biggest stumbling block to increasing the amount of renewable energy in the country. 1
Flow Systems in voluntary administration The Fifth Estate Flow Systems that gave Sydney a host of innovative and sustainable water and energy solutions is in voluntary administration.
Investa nabs first green loan, Climate Bonds Initiative-approved Poppy Johnston Investa is laying claim to Australia’s first green loan for a $170 million facility that is globally recognised by the Climate Bonds Initiative.
First city council to achieve renewables-only power Melbourne City Council has leapt ahead of the renewables race with its announcement that it will be now be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
2019: The bumper outlook report It’s the end of the year and time for people to reflect, process and gear up for 2019.
Green investing made very easy and cheap The big story of 2018 has been investor pressure on corporates to take action on climate change and sustainability and its starting to have a real impact.
Sustainability part of the wallpaper at PwC Professional services giant PwC is determined to avoid silos, and according to consulting partner John Tomac, this means sustainability capability and expertise has trickled into all corners of the business.
This is war. It’s time to stand up to the carbon bullies OPINION: Shocking and reprehensible? A colossal betrayal of anyone but their rulers’ own narrow industrial support base? 2
Five ways cities can step up on climate change Alix Pearce, Climate Council New leaders are emerging to meet the climate challenge. Cities and towns in Australia and across the world are taking charge of their future and moving swiftly to reduce their climate impact and secure a clean energy future for their residents.
Infrastructure in 2019: Arcadis sees no signs of slowing and contractors stretched to breaking point Poppy Johnston Spending on transport infrastructure remains huge and according to Arcadis managing director infrastructure Australia-Pacific Phil Kajewski, we likely haven’t even reached the peak.
On Byron Bay’s slow democracy and fast money – a summer special If Byron can’t make good planning and a healthy environment stick, with its lush history of hippies and deep greens, then it’s going to be a lot harder for anyone else. 1
Private property owners lose epic Byron Bay seawall case In a win for Byron Bay beachgoers, the NSW Land and Environment Court has rejected an appeal from three coastal property owners to repair failing seawalls on Belongil Beach with 900 tonnes of rock on the grounds that the finished product would restrict public access and use of the beach.
Is NIMBYism and conservation culture stifling our cities? Over the summer break, urban planner Philip Bull took the opportunity to apply Edward Glaesar’s arguments to the Australian context. 2
Public transport funding, now for the good news In this latest edition in our transport series, we look at how major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane are dealing with the building and the finance elements of the challenge. 4
What’s stopping Australia from building smart cities Governments across Australia, Asia and worldwide are jostling to design ‘smart cities’ that will cater for our growing population. We need to build smart cities to maintain livability, but what… 2
The post-carbon community café that rose from the ashes of a filling station David Thorpe A former failing gas filling station in the UK is now thriving community-run eco-café and shop where you can charge your electric car – a great exemplar of the transition…
NABERS eyes off schools, retail and warehouses in five-year plan Poppy Johnston NABERS has big plans for the next five years according to the 2019-2023 draft strategic plan released on Tuesday.
New $1 billion Cbus project in Melbourne will be a wellness oasis The wellness revolution in commercial property shows no sign of abating with Cbus Property’s proposal for a 55-storey office tower in Melbourne’s CBD featuring a four-level flexible wellness hub.
Graphene stars in Passivhaus retrofit of Victorian townhouses Passivehaus homes used to have a distinctive look but with the help of a few prize-winning materials such as graphene there’s now more variation in look and style than ever before – even Victorian-era townhouses are getting the Passivehaus treatment.
Microsoft invests $500 million in affordable housing in its home town Urban renewal or social cleansing? It’s an increasingly fraught question as traditional occupants are pushed out by rising prices and elite workers, but now one tech giant is trying hard to reverse the trends. 1
Mirvac adds another to six star NABERS Energy tally Mirvac has added more green creds to its portfolio, achieving the highest possible six star NABERS Energy rating for a base building at One Darling Island at Pyrmont in Sydney. 1
Avoiding material tokenism when designing for low climate impact Materials cannot be separated from the specific building performance and context, and to do so is taking a simplistic view. 1
Five ways cities can step up on climate change Alix Pearce, Climate Council New leaders are emerging to meet the climate challenge. Cities and towns in Australia and across the world are taking charge of their future and moving swiftly to reduce their climate impact and secure a clean energy future for their residents.
On Byron Bay’s slow democracy and fast money – a summer special The Fifth Estate If Byron can’t make good planning and a healthy environment stick, with its lush history of hippies and deep greens, then it’s going to be a lot harder for anyone else. 1
Australia’s wicked energy problem and creative ways to solve it The moving feast that is energy policy continues to bemuse, frustrate and confuse on many fronts.
Is NIMBYism and conservation culture stifling our cities? Over the summer break, urban planner Philip Bull took the opportunity to apply Edward Glaesar’s arguments to the Australian context. 2
The summer catch up – stories we missed so far in 2019 and what to expect After a solid three-week break, The Fifth Estate team is back at the desks and gearing up for a big 2019. 2
The Fifth Estate’s top 10 stories of 2018 1 The end of recycling? Why Australia is at crisis point Alas, sometimes things need to be broken for us to realise that we need to make changes. 2 Strongbuild falls as…
Why waiting for better harmonised energy standards in resi is like waiting for Godot There’s something wrong with the notion that we need harmonised energy standards for housing agreed by COAG. Maybe we don’t. 2
The sustainable summer reading list Willow Aliento 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 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.
Jellyfish, capitalism and trees: Perspectives on the human-earth relationship Climate change is not a binary issue of believe or don’t believe, whether it is examined from the perspective of the economic system, disruptions in the marine environment, or the impact on trees. 1
Fiction: For the Greater Good Carolita was hurrying down the path to her apartment when she was intercepted by her neighbour. “Oh! They’ve cut me off for the rest of the month! I went O-D…
Book review: The Long Goodbye – coal, coral and Australia’s climate deadlock Diving into The Long Goodbye, a Quarterly Essay by Anna Krien, means buckling up for a deeply personal, highly analytical and multi-layered tapestry of nature, politics and personalities.
Not just the petrolheads: we all waste energy slaves Canberra-based science communicator Stuart McMillen regularly publishes non-fiction comics about social and environmental issues. We have previously featured his work on The Fifth Estate, including his comics Peak Oil, St…
The post-carbon community café that rose from the ashes of a filling station David Thorpe A former failing gas filling station in the UK is now thriving community-run eco-café and shop where you can charge your electric car – a great exemplar of the transition…
NABERS eyes off schools, retail and warehouses in five-year plan Poppy Johnston NABERS has big plans for the next five years according to the 2019-2023 draft strategic plan released on Tuesday.
Flow Systems in voluntary administration The Fifth Estate Flow Systems that gave Sydney a host of innovative and sustainable water and energy solutions is in voluntary administration.
Five ways cities can step up on climate change Alix Pearce, Climate Council New leaders are emerging to meet the climate challenge. Cities and towns in Australia and across the world are taking charge of their future and moving swiftly to reduce their climate impact and secure a clean energy future for their residents.
Infrastructure in 2019: Arcadis sees no signs of slowing and contractors stretched to breaking point Poppy Johnston Spending on transport infrastructure remains huge and according to Arcadis managing director infrastructure Australia-Pacific Phil Kajewski, we likely haven’t even reached the peak.
New $1 billion Cbus project in Melbourne will be a wellness oasis Poppy Johnston The wellness revolution in commercial property shows no sign of abating with Cbus Property’s proposal for a 55-storey office tower in Melbourne’s CBD featuring a four-level flexible wellness hub.
Graphene stars in Passivhaus retrofit of Victorian townhouses David Thorpe Passivehaus homes used to have a distinctive look but with the help of a few prize-winning materials such as graphene there’s now more variation in look and style than ever before – even Victorian-era townhouses are getting the Passivehaus treatment.
Microsoft invests $500 million in affordable housing in its home town Poppy Johnston Urban renewal or social cleansing? It’s an increasingly fraught question as traditional occupants are pushed out by rising prices and elite workers, but now one tech giant is trying hard to reverse the trends. 1
On Byron Bay’s slow democracy and fast money – a summer special The Fifth Estate If Byron can’t make good planning and a healthy environment stick, with its lush history of hippies and deep greens, then it’s going to be a lot harder for anyone else. 1
Private property owners lose epic Byron Bay seawall case Poppy Johnston In a win for Byron Bay beachgoers, the NSW Land and Environment Court has rejected an appeal from three coastal property owners to repair failing seawalls on Belongil Beach with 900 tonnes of rock on the grounds that the finished product would restrict public access and use of the beach.
Australia’s wicked energy problem and creative ways to solve it Alan Pears, RMIT University The moving feast that is energy policy continues to bemuse, frustrate and confuse on many fronts.
The Fifth Estate would love some support! Become a member of our community The Fifth Estate Join The Fifth Estate member community and help us keep building the best online newspaper on sustainability in Australia.
Macquarie Group picking up its green threads Tina Perinotto Macquarie Group’s new chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake might be trying to reverse some of the damage from its bad old #MeFirst days with a new thrust into climate action and green investment.
New chief executive officer for Australian Institute of Architects Julia Cambage has been appointed as chief executive officer of the Australian Institute of Architects. Ms Cambage joins the architecture profession’s peak body from youth charity and mentoring organisation TRY…
CRC for Low Carbon Living research is changing the eco performance of schools, buildings, concrete and tourism Here are four videos from the CRC for Low Carbon Living that bring you the fruits of their years of research into how to lower the carbon footprint of Australia’s buildings, concrete production, schools, the tourist industry.
