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.

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.

Recent News & Information

Review for Solar Bonus Scheme

Category: Energy

24/08/2010

The Solar Bonus Scheme has reached its first milestone – a capacity of 50 megawatts – triggering a review of its performance, Minister for Energy Paul Lynch said today.

As part of the legislation, a review of the Scheme must be undertaken as soon as possible to identify how it has performed against its original objectives.

Public submissions will be received before 30 September, with the review to be tabled in Parliament towards the end of the next session of Parliament.

Submissions can be emailed to solarbonus [dot] reviewatindustry [dot] nsw [dot] gov [dot] au or posted to Solar Bonus Review, Industry and Investment NSW, Level 17, 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000 by close of business 30 September, 2010.

The lighting is everything: a TFE Special Investigation

Category: Energy

Topic: lighting

20/08/2010

Lighting is hot right now. Every week, it seems, there is a new claim about the energy efficiency of this product or that. And with lighting consuming 19 per cent of the world’s electricity generation and CO2 emissions from lighting equivalent to 70 per cent of global emissions from passenger vehicles, according to industry data, it’s hardly surprising. But just how real are all these claims and is there enough emphasis by Green Star and other ratings tools on sustainable practices in the manufacturing and disposal of lighting products?

Lighting case study: Local Government Super backs new improved T8

Category: Energy

Topic: lighting

20/08/2010

A small Australian manufacturing team is bucking the trend with its linear fluorescent light fitting, using what many consider outdated technology to achieve what it says is a 70 per cent reduction in lighting energy use and more effective lighting. Some large property owners, including Local Government Superannuation, are converting to the fitting.

Change in wind as balconies air dirty laundry

Category: Community, Energy

17/07/2010

Apartment balconies could become ''Hills Hoists on high'' if the state government proceeds with environment-friendly strata regulations to allow residents to hang their washing outside.

The Department of Fair Trading has proposed a change to strata by-laws which prohibit washing from being hung on anything except designated clotheslines without the permission of the owners' corporation - a measure many believe has contributed to high use of greenhouse gas-producing clothes dryers.

Sustainable housing: Everything you ever needed to know to unravel the mess in the message

Category: Water, General, Energy

13/07/2010

The number of rating tools, policies, reports, incentives and legal rulings on sustainable residential development has proliferated in recent years. In this comprehensive work, legal firm Herbert Geer has created clear and focused guide through the maze. At least for the eastern seaboard.

It's easier being green

03/07/2010

The supply of eco-friendly developments is blooming, writes Jane Burton Taylor.

The demand for green apartments is growing and looks set to rocket. Government initiatives are fuelling the trend but so too are people who have already experienced living in sustainable houses.

Apartment blocks the missing link in sustainability

Category: Water, Energy

03/06/2010

High rise apartment blocks, it turns out, are the biggest energy guzzlers in the residential market. But they are falling through the cracks when it comes to energy and water efficiency incentive schemes. It is something that local councils are acutely aware of while state and federal government appear to be turning a blind eye.

According to a NSW Energy Australia study, a highrise apartment uses 30 per cent more power than a typical detached house. Much of this is in the common areas such as foyers and car parks where lights are often inefficient and are left on night and day.

Electricity price rises change

Category: Energy

28/04/2010

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) today confirmed electricity prices would change as a result of the Federal Government delay in implementing the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).

As a result, from July 1, 2010, average annual prices will now increase by 7 percent for Integral Energy customers rising to a total of 20 percent by 2012/13; 10 percent for EnergyAustralia customers, rising to a total of 36 percent by 2012/13; and 13 percent for Country Energy customers, rising to a total of 42 percent by 2012/13.

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