The property marketing agency behind realestate.com, the REA Group, alongside Origin Energy, has released a new report, finding 34 per cent of renters are willing to pay more for a rental with smart energy features. But 33 per cent said that the home they currently rent has no energy features, and 22 per cent said they were not sure if there were any energy efficiency features at all in their rental property.
Some shocking numbers that emerged from the study include that just 2 per cent of renters reported having batteries, EV charging or triple-glazed windows, only 8 per cent think their home is well insulated, and 15 per cent have access to solar.
The report authors said there are opportunities for landlords, with 59 per cent of renters surveyed believing that property owners are responsible for improving energy efficiency.
Additionally, 56 per cent cited lack of control as their biggest roadblock to adopting energy efficiency features, with another 27 per cent citing upfront costs.
Ku-ring-gai Council installs kerbside chargers
The Ku-ring-gai council is amongst the latest councils to benefit from the NSW government’s $2.8 million EV kerbside charging grant, which will fund 22 local governments to receive subsidised EV chargers.
The council will receive 25 new kerbside electric vehicle charge points, which it says will be key to the council’s plans to reach net zero. It said in June 2025, the council accounted for 5.1 per cent of all registered vehicles, and had the highest rates of EV adoption, with EVs increasing by 150 per cent in the area between June 2023 and 2025.
CSIRO projects that there could be up to 21,404 EVs in the area by 2030.
New built environment award launches
The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, the peak body for quantity surveyors, has launched its new Built Environment Awards, which will reward the best of the global construction industry. The program will recognise achievements in projects, companies, and individuals for contributions to the industry, focusing on cost, time, sustainability and diversity.
Nominations will close on 15 December 2025.
Jobs news
Architectus has appointed two new principals – Wade Sutton and Kim Small, who are both senior designers with specialisation in healthcare.
Kim Small comes from a role as practice director at architecture firm BVN, where she has been since 2009. Her portfolio includes working on the Canberra hospital expansion as well as the Prince of Wales hospital redevelopment.
Wade Sutton has been a healthcare architect for more than 34 years, finishing at his current role as design excellence program director at NSW Health Infrastructure. He has also worked as a senior associate and healthcare sector leader in NSW at Hassell and was a healthcare architect at Mediclinic, which delivered more than 30 hospitals.
What we’re reading
First algae wastewater treatment plant opens
The Burdekin Shire Council has become the first council to open an official algae-based wastewater treatment plant, which the council said helped them make significant savings. The plant only cost $8 million compared to $30 million required to build a conventional treatment facility, it told the ABC.
Based in Ayr, north east Queensland, the Macroalgae Bioremediation Facility uses RegenAqua’s “macroalgal bioremediation” technology, which involves using Oedogonium – a form of free living green alga to clean water by removing nitrogen and phosphorus while sequestering carbon dioxide. The algae are circled around modular built ponds to absorb nutrient waste. The nutrient-dense algae are then harvested and turned into a biostimulant and used to fertilise crops.
The project is co-funded by both the Queensland government through its Building our Regions and Local Government grants and subsidies, alongside the Burdekin Shire Council. Bio Pacific, parent company to RegenAqua provided industry support. The plant was first trialled in a wastewater plant in Picton, NSW, for two years.
