ISPT receives CAF’s first portfolio certification
3 September: Since TFE last covered the Cleaning Accountability Framework last year, ISPT has this month achieved full CAF certification across its portfolio, making it the first to receive this newly created portfolio certification.
This means it received the highest assurance that its cleaning services meet the strict standards in CAF, ensuring fair labour practices and responsible procurement across the entire supply chain.
Last year, CAF CEO Miriam Thompson told TFE that the portfolio assessment was groundbreaking and will allow the framework to “scale up significantly” as previously assessments were done on a building by building basis. The “forensic” process would involve “deep assessments” including worker engagement, paid time meetings with cleaners and the union to “go beyond the garden variety underpayment to more serious things”.
Since 2019, the Modern Slavery Act stipulates that companies with a consolidated revenue of more than $100 million must undertake mandatory reporting obligations, leading to a surge in interest in achieving CAF certifications. Prior to its establishment, Thompson said the industry was marked by toxicity, few rights and low wages from lowball contracts that did not meet fair employment standards.
Three government organisations join forces to advance manufacturing
The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC), the Bradfield Development Authority (BDA), and the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) have signed collaboration agreements. The agreement will include sharing industry trends and insights, convening industry briefings and events, and creating a pipeline of referrals for new and emerging Australian manufacturers.
Under the agreement, businesses deemed with “high potential” will be able to test and improve ideas and prototypes at the manufacturing facility to help scale, commercialise and become competitive in the manufacturing supply chain. The sector would also benefit from more “joined up support” from the government, the organisations said.
The collaboration will also connect emerging manufacturers with the newest innovation cluster in Bradfield City, allowing them access to expert technical support and potential funding pathways.
BDA chair Jennifer Westacott said the partnership will link industry with capital from the NRFC as well as the expertise and infrastructure required, which will help position Australia as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
Dirt to data at Boolah regenerative trial farms
Boolah trial farm, one of Australia’s largest commercial-scale regenerative trial farms, based in Pallamallawa, a rural village in north west NSW, is opening its gates for a farm field day on 10 September.
The family run agricultural business that promotes its Regen4real framework, provides agricultural services and runs connected farms that integrate regenerative farming practices and circular economy principles in its operations – educating others on its resilient and environmentally responsible model.
This year, the event features the theme “dirt to data”.
Call for policy in renewable recycling
The Renewable Energy Alliance, known as RE-Alliance has become the latest to join a coalition of around 60 organisations urging the Australian government to establish a mandatory scheme for solar panel recycling during this parliamentary term.
The RE-Alliance has recently published a framework that sets out actions for industry and government on what to do with retirement age renewable technologies. A joint statement, published by the Smart Energy Council, saw the participation of groups such as the Climate Council, Green Building Council Australia, Fortescue, Veolia, Engineers Australia, Solar Citizens, MRA Consulting Group and Clean Energy Investor Group.
BLP launches Singapore branch
Architects Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) has launched a new branch in Singapore – BLP Asia. The firm said the expansion is part of its long term commitment to the Asian market, following its delivery of the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital and the North District Hospital, also in Hong Kong. It says the branch allows for better placement to meet Asia’s healthcare infrastructure needs.
Managing director Tara Veldman said Singapore was a “natural gateway” for growth in Asia and her firm will be delivering “boundary pushing” designs to health, science and technology, education and social infrastructures in the Asia region.
US climate fight takes a legal hit
International news: The attacks on climate and wind back of the Inflation Reduction Act in the US continues. The most recent volley comes from the legal system that backed the Trump administration’s freeze of $16 ($A24) billion in funds granted by the Environmental Protection Agency for solar and retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency.
According to The New York Times, a Trump appointed administrator at the Environment Protection Agency “called for the return of the money, suggesting, without providing evidence, that the grants were vulnerable to waste, fraud and abuse.”
Beth Bafford, chief executive of Climate United, which was awarded nearly $7 billion in grants, told the publication that the decision was not the end of the road.
“While we are disappointed by the panel’s decision,” she said, “we stand firm on the merits of our case. The EPA unlawfully froze and terminated funds that were legally obligated and disbursed.”
What we are reading
The University of Melbourne is pausing its participation in Fisherman’s Bend for at least five years, due to project delays and funding constraints.
The university had paid $49.8 million for 7.2 hectares of the 480 hectare redevelopment, which was slated to become the nation’s leading precinct for advanced manufacturing, design, engineering and technology, according to The AFR.
The decision comes after a June report by the Victorian Auditor General found key planning documents were still in drafts or incomplete six years after the original framework was released, and that project completion has now been pushed back to 2055.
Despite a $275 million surplus last year, the university said it had an operating deficit of $99 million in 2024, as well as $71 million in 2023, and student caps had affected the university’s ability to continue to fund the project. The university’s plan originally included a campus with advanced defence technology facilities, hydrodynamics and aerodynamics labs, robotics and autonomous systems labs, and a geotechnical testing centre. Read more here.
It is also of note that Marcus Westbury, chief executive of Fishermans Bend Innovation Diversity Experimentation and Activation, known as FB IDEA, has announced on social media that he was leaving the outlet to return to working as an independent consultant.
Government opens tenders for WA clean power
The federal government has opened two new capacity investment scheme tenders in Western Australia for renewable energy.
Announced in a joint statement between Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, Assistant Climate Change and Energy Minister Josh Wilson and WA Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, the latest round is estimated to unlock $4 billion of additional private investment into the wholesale electricity market in WA.
Upon delivery, the tender will add 1.6 gigawatts of clean renewable generation, along with another 2.4 gigawatt-hours of clean dispatchable energy to the market. This will power more than 900,000 households annually and generate enough storage to power the peak load of 550,000 households in four hours.
Proponents will be assessed on deliverability, value for money, contribution to grid reliability, strength of engagement with First Nations communities and commitments to deliver shared benefits. Bidding closes 7 November. More information available here.