How do we make our Residential Apartment Buildings more sustainable?

No one person has all the answers - but collectively we as owners have all the answers.

No two buildings are the same - but each one can learn from others.

There is no magic formula out there, and no-one is going to write us a manual. We believe that the magic will come through owners sharing what could be done and what has been done, to help us all learn and accelerate the progress of all strata owners.

This site is for owners and their owners corporations to learn, find and share information about making our buildings more sustainable.
Read more
What does a "Green" building look like?

There are two 'standards' for building new sustainable apartment buildings and complexes – one voluntary, one mandatory. While some of the options are not possible to retrofit to existing buildings, they do give us insight into what is possible.

BASIX, the Building Sustainability Index - that ensures new homes are designed and built to use less water and energy.

Green Star - a voluntary environmental rating system that evaluates the environmental design and construction of buildings.

From these, the knowledge and experiences of owners, and excluding structural options that are cost-prohibitive in existing buildings, we can start to identify all the opportunities for improving the sustainability of the common property for our residential apartment buildings.
Read more

Recent News & Information

Sydney Water - Individual metering of units

Category: Water

Topic: water consumption, water meters

10/12/2012

Sydney Water is introducing optional arrangements for developers to implement individual cold water metering of multi-level units. This optional period allows industry to transition to the new requirements that will become mandatory in late 2013/14. Unit developments that are already under construction can continue while providing adequate time for hydraulic designers to meet the new requirements.

NSW Strata Law Review - Invitation to Comment

Category: Strata 101

Topic: legislation

17/09/2012

The NSW Government is currently reviewing the strata and community title laws and wants to hear your views.

A discussion paper has been released examining a wide range of matters relating to strata governance, financial management, building management and handling of disputes.

The closing date for submissions is 15 November 2012.

The green revolution

Category: Community, Gardens & Grounds

Topic: communal gardens

08/09/2012

Communal gardens are increasingly being incorporated into new apartment blocks.

Read the full article by Susan Wellings in Domain

City of Melbourne: Sustainable solutions for apartments

Category: Community, Energy, Gardens & Grounds, Materials, Strata 101, Transport Support, Waste, Water

Topic: water consumption, energy consumption, building management

21/08/2012

The City of Melbourne has released a number of resources developed under its Hi-RES project. They include:

  • a guide to making positive change around your apartment building, and
  • a Good Practice Guide: Multi-unit Residential Facilities Management
More information on Hi-RES and links to the resources

Untangling the steps to a more sustainable apartment life

Category: Energy

06/07/2012

Australian cities are increasingly embracing apartment living. Climate change and the impending carbon tax are providing a perfect opportunity for governments and local councils to work with owners corporations and apartment owners. It’s a great time to embrace sustainable development and retrofits (renovations) of apartment blocks, particularly for common areas.

Read the full article in The Conversation
Syndicate content