“We were able to demonstrate, with a lot of testing and re-analysis, that we could certify that whole building, including the existing structure, for another 50 or 60 years’ of life.”
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Posted inRural & Regional
Newcastle gets more interesting – views from an engineer who moved from Sydney
Newcastle is a thing of intrigue for Sydneysiders and others who take more than passing interest in this major regional city. All eyes these days are on how to bring it closer to Sydney and the rest of Australia through various schemes to speed up the trains – at least a bit; because no longer […]
Posted inJobs News
Pays and chief sustainability officers on the rise
New year, new vibe. Well, maybe, or is it more of the same? The great resignation continues and so do the great pay rises if you listen to Richard Evans of recruiter Talent Nation.
Posted inBriefs
Hello Tiger – this year we need your spirit, your teeth and your devastating snarl – Paris gets it!
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It’s a new year, but the only year that matters now is 2030. We’ve got just seven years to go, to get things right on climate. Well, at least to minimise the damage. Already we’ve locked in major global warming as Simon Wild underscores in an interview this week as he […]
Posted inRating tools
So much further to go with airtightness testing
For several years the Green Star rating tool has created demand for building airtightness testing services. In late 2021, the Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association (ATTMA) surveyed its own Australia and New Zealand members about their experiences working on Green Star projects. All such testing so far has been under the original and Design […]
Posted inSpinifex
COP26: Why keeping 1.5 alive is critical for a reef ‘in danger’
Earlier this year, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recommended the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to climate-induced risk. They stated, there is “no possible doubt that the property is facing ascertained danger.” The recommendation followed a review of policy and risk mitigation approaches, including the […]
Posted inFinance
Intellihub secures $1.45bn green loan for smart home metering rollout
Smart meters have a key role to play in Australia’s renewable energy transition, enabling distributed energy resources like rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles.
Posted inBusiness & Politics
COP26, China and why Australia is out in the cold
UN climate talks aren’t over yet but Australia has already chosen to sit out the biggest economic opportunity of our time.
Posted inCommercial
Colliers builds ESG capacity
Canadian real estate giant Colliers has announced its global ESG strategy including a dedicated task force for the Asia Pacific, led by Andrew Watson and fresh hire, Lisa Hinde.
Posted inNews from the Front Desk
On why some of us know we need to get our green skates on and some of us are still coal gazing
We’re hearing encouraging noises from some of our state and federal leaders on the need to take climate change seriously while others remain vocally obstinate, or worse, eerily quiet.
Posted inRating tools
Big step forward by GBCA on building airtightness
GBCA’s new Green Star Homes standard and update to Green Star Buildings is a big step forward in addressing building airtightness, one of the juiciest low-hanging fruits on the building performance tree. It is cheap to implement compared to other energy savings investments, it improves comfort, and it reduces interstitial condensation risk.
Posted inJobs News
Jobs and business chatter: More building services jobs than candidates
The jobs market for building services is running hot according to specialist building services recruiter Sarah Wells from Swell Talent Services.
Posted inFinance
Green bonds the new hotcakes of finance
As the global push for climate action becomes increasingly mainstream, so too has the appetite for green bonds.
Posted inNews from the Front Desk
On the huge appetite for green investments, starting with buildings, animal spirits and a tight skinny window
When The Fifth Estate held its sustainable finance salon in London in 2015 (see the ebook here), we talked about the “irrepressible Sean Kidney, who flew in straight from Beijing, suitcase in hand, to attend the dinner.” Kidney, founder, and pretty well sole operator of the Green Bonds Initiative in those days, was full of […]
Posted inSpinifex
Letter: Responsible Wood and PEFC forest certification
Open letter from Responsible Wood and PEFC forest certification in response to The Fifth Estate’s recent feature article about the rise of mass timber construction.
Posted inEngineering/Technology
Big plans and ambitions under way as Darren Bilsborough takes new gig at Meinhardt Group
Engineering services firm Meinhardt Group has continued its aggressive growth strategy to reassert itself as a top player in the Australian market. Among recent activity it’s hired sustainability and integrated design advocate Darren Bilsborough to head the ANZ building services team.
Posted inFinance
Why Exxon has been tossed over by a green company and the new Lendlease green bond is oversubscribed
FINANCE: Green bonds and other sustainable finance vehicles are still booming amid the pandemic. In fact they’re seen as lower risk than traditional investments. It’s no surprise then that Australian property companies are getting on board. Global green bond issuance passed the $1 trillion-mark last week and Australian property giant Lendlease is not missing out on […]
Posted inIndigenous Business Series
How Indigenous enterprises are negotiating free trade agreements
Darren Godwell is changing the game for Indigenous businesses with the new Indigenous Network for Investment, Trade and Export (IgNITE).
Posted inCommercial
Flexible workspace on the rise in Asia Pacific
In the face of ongoing uncertainty due to Covid, flexible office spaces are on the rise in the Asia Pacific region for the third year in a row.
Posted inGovernment/Regulations
Europe’s €540 billion recovery package is aimed at realising the Green Deal and a just transition
Every nation would do well to emulate Europe’s Green Deal approach. Here’s how it works.
Posted inArticles
Meinhardt vies for Tier 1 status with new acquisition
Global engineering company Meinhardt has come “full circle” in its Australian operations by acquiring Bonacci Group, a move it hopes will lock in its return as a top player in the Australian market.
Posted inArticles
EU “green list” could be a game changer for international investments
The Fifth Estate talks to Sean Kidney of Climate Bonds Initiative about a green list of economic activity being adopted by the European Parliament that could put the kibosh on unsustainable developments, such as new coal mines, by tackling demand rather than supply.
Posted inSponsored
During its hottest summer, Penrith calls on the experts to help it cool down
As Penrith residents seek relief from the heat wherever they can find it, the city’s council is holding a masterclass to investigate how to cool its urban spaces.
Posted inArchitecture
Winners of the Australian Institute of Architects National Awards 2019
A submerged library gives way to urban green space, and a stunning annexe ducks under heritage and physical constraints to provide offices to 102 members of parliament and their support staff – here are the winners of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) National Awards 2019.
Posted inHousing
Planning for fire safety in the ACT
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 Projects signing a Collaborative Arrangement Agreement with CSIRO. CSIRO Bushfire Urban Design research leader Justin Leonard will be part of the research team, which also […]
Posted inJobs News
Jobs news: AECOM; Warren and Mahoney; Meinhardt Australia
Read about the latest job movements in the built environment.
Posted inClimate Change
Climate actions will fail without local inclusion, UN meeting told
With only 11 years left to deliver the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda, far more needs to be done and local governments and citizens must become more involved in sustainable development.
Posted inJobs News
Architect Chris Godsell joins nettletontribe
Chris Godsell has been appointed associate director of nettletontribe’s Melbourne studio.
Posted inInfrastructure & transport
An ambitious and “slightly crazy” solar tuk tuk plan – Melbourne to Cairns
A team of sustainability-minded engineers is set to fire up the conversation around sustainable transport through a globe-trotting solar-powered tuk tuk adventure.
Posted inPlanning
How smart cities are about to rock our world
What’s the connection between smart cities and sustainability? How about cleaner water, zero waste, smart transport, better engagement with communities and building resilience? Is that a good start?
