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
NSW government celebrates “biggest single transition of social housing tenancies ever” Georgia Roach | 10 October 2019 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 Suzanne Toumbourou, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council | 8 October 2019 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? Poppy Johnston | 3 October 2019 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.
Where to buy property for the climate emergency Willow Aliento | 3 October 2019 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.
Excelon beefs up Melbourne’s green housing stock Poppy Johnston | 24 September 2019 Melbourne’s inner north is home to some of Australia’s best sustainable housing projects and more are on the way.
The evolution of coliving and how it’s rolling out – Sydney’s west included Poppy Johnston | 12 September 2019 PROFILE: Coliving operator Hmlet only set up shop in Sydney early this year but its portfolio has grown quickly to more than 200 rooms across Paddington, Newtown, Marrickville, Alexandria, and most recently the Western Sydney suburb of Parramatta.
Robotic beds on ceilings and other space-busting solutions from Silicon Valley Poppy Johnston | 27 August 2019 In a time when space is at a premium, it’s no surprise Silicon Valley is working on robotic beds that can be stored on the roof after you wake up.
The rise of solo households and how our cities need to adapt Poppy Johnston | 20 August 2019 The rise of living alone has been well-documented but are our cities doing enough for this growing cohort?
Young Australians still want big houses, and are surprisingly sure they’ll get them Poppy Johnston | 15 August 2019 The Great Australian Dream is still alive and well for many young Australians.
Planning for fire safety in the ACT Willow Aliento | 8 August 2019 The Green Star rated Ginninderry community in the ACT is taking a suburb-wide approach to planning for fire. The development will be something of a living laboratory, with developer Riverview…
How to design your house for fire resistance and sustainability Willow Aliento – Oxygen Files | 8 August 2019 If anyone is any doubt this is a climate emergency, last week’s announcement by the NSW Rural Fire Service that bushfire season has been declared two months ahead of the usual date should sound the alarm bell.
Australia has opened the door to higher performing homes, at lower cost Michael Li, ClimateWorks Australia | 29 July 2019 In the midst of agreements on national reforms to address the cladding crisis and improve the fire and structural safety of buildings, decision makers at the recent Building Ministers’ Forum also reached another significant milestone – one that could set Australian homes on a path towards lower energy bills, reduced strain on the electricity network and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
How to do collaborative housing sustainably and more affordably – Melbourne style Poppy Johnston | 18 July 2019 Three couples have pooled their sustainability, construction and architecture skills to transform a single family home in Brunswick, Melbourne, into three ultra sustainable townhouse with a semi-shared front yard.
Tightening the divide between populism and public housing Jamie Muchall, Horizon Housing Company | 16 July 2019 The aftermath of the latest federal election result has evidently revealed one thing about our society, being the worldwide trend toward “populism” and its drifting distance away from progressive ideals and policy.
Apartment living for families – how to get it right Poppy Johnston | 4 July 2019 Density, when done right and in moderation, might be most sustainable way to live. But for many, the suburbs are still the best place to raise a family. So what’s it like for a family living in an apartment?
