Thank You to Members
Member Projects
Member Policy Initiatives
Other News
Over the past 12 months many members have generously provided additional resources to ASBEC. Thanks to members for the following.
We encourage you to participate in ASBEC activities and if your organisation can offer in-kind support please contact us as all contributions are greatly appreciated. The items we need at the moment include: A LCD screen, keyboard and mouse, lap top holder and an ergonomic chair.
Adapting to Climate Change – Where does Landscape Architecture fit in?
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects is currently doing some very interesting work on innovative approaches to landscape management in the context of challenges such as increasing global urbanisation and the impacts of climate change.
The first phase of this program (funded by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change) is focusing on the development of a set of National Landscape Principles. These will be used to guide the implementation of climate change adaptation strategies and professional development programs for landscape architects, as well as increasing the knowledge/advocacy base within the profession when assisting clients and government with this critical issue.
For further information on the project, including recently released consultation documents go to: http://www.aila.org.au/climate.
For a brief overview of some of the ideas currently being examined within AILA’s Climate Change Adaptation Skills for Professionals Program: http://www.aila.org.au/climate/overview/direction.htm
Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficiency for Facility Managers
FMA Australia continually strives to identify initiatives that assist facility professionals doing their jobs in accordance with triple bottom line objectives.
One such initiative is the development of a Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficiency for Facility Managers, which FMA Australia has worked on in conjunction with other strategic partners (including fellow ASBEC members and AIRAH), through financial support provided by Sustainability Victoria.
The four units developed will meet a rapidly emerging need among FM professionals to improve the sustainability performance of their facilities. The content of the course has been informed by feedback from FMA Australia’s members and wider industry research and consultations.
With businesses increasingly committed to management practices that, in particular, reduce the environmental impact of their facilities, FMA Australia is determined to equip FM professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to take a leading role in the delivery of efficient energy management practices.
Delivery of the course will commence from July 2009.
Smart and Sustainable Homes Program Wins Premiers Award
The Smart and Sustainable Homes program recently won the Premiers Award for Excellence in Public Sector Management for the Sustainable Environment category. The program is managed by the Department of Public Works and is a unique collaboration of state government, local government and industry to design and build a series of display homes throughout Queensland, to help educate and inform consumers and industry about more sustainable building practices.
Homes built under the Smart and Sustainable Homes Program use the ‘Smart and Sustainable Homes Design Objectives’ as the minimum criteria - the “triple-bottom-line” approach which balances the environmental, social and economic sustainability issues. Importantly, each of the homes is designed specifically to suit the climatic zone in which it is built, of which there are four in Queensland, and therefore each requires a different design approach. The Program’s publication, “Designing for Queensland’s Climate” provides helpful guidance on how to best design a home to suit the local climate.
For a free copy of the Smart and Sustainable Homes publications, visit: www.smarthousing.qld.gov.au
For information on the display homes visit: www.sustainable-homes.org.au
Guide to Green Building Incentives and Programs
An online guide to government incentives and programs will soon provide a one-stop-shop for subscribers who want to cut building costs while reducing greenhouse emissions.
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the International Council on Local Environment Initiative will launch the new web portal in March at Green Cities 09 to help subscribers realise the economic, environmental and social gains available in a sustainable built environment.
According to the Chief Executive of the GBCA, Romilly Madew, governments at all levels are beginning to offer a range of incentives and support programs which encourage awareness and reduce emissions at low cost and with fast paybacks.
Although efforts are made to co-ordinate action across federal, state and local governments, some governments are leaders in the field of sustainable building. This website will be an invaluable resource for any business looking to maximise support and funding for their green building initiatives.
Adelaide Builds on its Green Credentials
A $2 million fund to deliver significant energy efficiencies in existing commercial buildings could make South Australia the test bed for a raft of new innovative technologies.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann, who is also the state’s Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, said, “This project will stimulate innovation so that Adelaide’s commercial buildings sector is the most progressive in Australia.
“Last year I wrote to the Prime Minister and other First Ministers saying we should commit to achieving a zero carbon target for all new office buildings by 2019 – equal to the toughest target in the world.
This fund will support innovations being trialed for the first time in Australia. It represents the next chapter in the establishment of South Australia as a test bed for climate change responses.” Mr Rann said.
The fund is an initiative of a sector agreement between the Property Council and the State Government to help combat the built environment’s contribution to climate change.
For more information about the South Australian fund visit: www.ministers.sa.gov.au/news.php?id=3315.
Sustainability Victoria Launches an Online Virtual Tour of its Office Space
Sustainability Victoria has launched an online virtual tour of its office space at Level 28, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
Organisational leadership, staff participation and communication all played a central role in designing the fit-out and the results from continuous monitoring are now proving the ongoing success and viability of the model.
The results of the fit-out have been delivered at a commercially viable rate. Including all fixtures and fittings, it was completed at the bottom end of the commercial price range and just above a standard government fit-out.
SV has now developed an on-line fly-through to demonstrate the features of the fit-out.
Take the virtual tour of Sustainability Victoria's office.
VicUrban Sustainable Development
Aurora, which will provide 8,000 homes for 25,000 people, is the most sustainable development of its kind in Australia. Located in Epping North, 22km from the centre of Melbourne, all homes in Aurora need to achieve a minimum six star energy rating and the project has a third pipe recycled water system to each home, and other sustainability features such as solar boosted hot water for all homes, water sensitive urban design and waste reduction during construction.
These initiatives enable a reduction of Aurora’s environmental footprint by over 50%, with potable water consumption being halved, about 50% less energy usage and an 85% reduction of construction waste going to landfill. Aurora is based on an integrated house and land delivery model, delivering a variety of products in response to the need for diversity and affordability.
VicUrban is applying the lessons from Aurora in working on the next generation of projects, establishing a new paradigm of urban development in response to the challenges of urban growth and climate change.
ACEA Climate Change Policy Position
The Association Of Consulting Engineers Australia (ACEA) have spent a significant amount time and effort on the creation of their Climate Change Policy Position, which has now been released. The ACEA consultation process was driven primarily by the Association’s National Sustainability Roundtable and Board and ensured that a broadly agreed upon statement and policy emerged. The ACEA undertook the process of developing a policy position because:
There are complex and possibly not well understood links between social harmony, health and wellbeing, education, economic prosperity, land use, transport and ecology.
It is important that Australia remain globally competitive and for its people to have a sustainable future.
The ACEA accepts that science has demonstrated climate change is inevitable unless our global society reduces carbon emissions significantly and quickly.
There is no political, social, environmental or technological development that is going to prevent climate change between now and 2030.
Climate change will modify the global competitiveness of many countries and disadvantage Australia if we do not adapt quickly.
The ACEA’s Climate Change Policy Position can be accessed here.
AIRAH Issues Joint Resolution on Climate Change with ASHRAE
ASBEC member Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has just released a new joint statement on climate change issue with the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Use of renewable energy, education of the building industry and responsible refrigerant use are encouraged in the joint resolution.
Some of the issues the joint statement on climate change seeks to resolve include:
For more information visit http://www.airah.org.au/new_65.asp
CRC for Construction Innovation Rebid
The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Construction Innovation is in the process of rebidding for a Sustainable Built Environment CRC (SBE CRC). The centre would operate across three integrated program areas: Greening the built environment, Developing innovation and safety culture and Driving productivity through procurement, each with a clear focus on implementation and delivery to industry.
The centre's activities will deliver against the following seven program outputs:
In addition to the strong industry, government and research support, we now have commitments from some of Australia’s key industry associations for infrastructure and building. The support of these associations will ensure broad industry coverage in driving the centre’s applied research outcomes into practice.
In mid to late July, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is expected to announce which bids for new CRCs have been successful.
ASBEC are currently in the process of obtaining funding for three key projects:
Business Case for Sustainable Buildings ASBEC has endorsed the Business Case Task Group’s proposed two stage development of a Sustainable Buildings Business Case Evaluation Tool consisting of:
City Forums Bringing together contributions from members, city councils and additional partners; the City Forums aim to create a new platform for discussion and promotion of Sustainability in the Built Environment. Currently we are negotiating with partners to establish forums in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide, with the aim of expanding into further states upon the successful completion of the first three forums.
Constructing Cities of the Future This research project builds on ASBEC’s 'The Second Plank – Building a Low Carbon Economy with Energy Efficient Buildings' report which has received high acclaim from both industry and Government. Ultimately this work will identify the cost/benefit of various land use scenarios and potential optimal urban form, construction and development options for the future to inform public policy and government decision making. This study will go beyond previous research, investigating the triple bottom line or environmental, economic and social impacts.
Please contact us for further information if you are interested in learning more about these projects, or becoming actively involved. Contact us on admin@asbec.asn.au or monica@asbec.asn.au
Member Events and Courses Promoted for Free
Got an upcoming conference, congress, state division event, training course? All members can promote their events on the ASBEC event page at no cost.
Simply go to http://www.asbec.asn.au/events and click on Members in right hand column to add your details.
The next ASBEC Council meeting on Tuesday March 17th will be held at the Sydney GBCA Office, Level 15, 179 Elizabeth St, from 9.30 to 4pm. The afternoon session will include a lively discussion and debate. More details to follow in early March.