What a difference a decade makes

This year, the Green Building Council of Australia proudly celebrates our tenth anniversary. 

Ten years ago, our industry had no agreed methodology to measure green building practices, few assessment tools and no benchmarks for best practice. 

There was no organised approach to knowledge sharing or collaboration. 

Nor was there any way for the industry to promote or profit from green building leadership.

What a difference a decade makes!

We’ve all heard stories about ideas, innovations and people who were disregarded.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers,” Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, said in 1943.

“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” HM Warner of Warner Brothers fame exclaimed in 1927.

“We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out,” wrote a Decca Records executive when rejecting the Beatles in 1962.

"Green Star is too hard, too expensive, too time consuming.  It will never take off.”  Many of us will have heard this said numerous times in the early days of the Green Building Council of Australia.

I’m very proud to say that, just like the personal computer, audio film and the Beatles – the Green Building Council of Australia has proven that Green Star is possible.  In fact, we know now that it is achievable, affordable and, indeed, profitable.

This year, our theme for Green Cities was ‘think’.  As we think back over the last ten years, and the exceptional achievements of our industry during that time, we must also ask ourselves ‘what’s next?’

What does the future hold for the next ten years?  What are the possibilities?

For me, personally and professionally, 2012 is an opportunity to think about new possibilities, as I am delighted to have taken up a new position with Norman Disney Young as Global Director of Sustainability. 

Ten years ago, positions such as mine were few and far between.  Today, we have a deepening understanding of the importance of sustainability to the long-term future of our companies, our industries and our nation. 

I’d like to congratulate all the green leaders who have been with the GBCA since the very beginning.  I acknowledge your steadfast commitment to our vision.  Our industry’s transformation is directly the result of the way you have approached and adopted sustainability, and I urge you to continue your great work making a real, long-term difference to Australia’s built environment.

Tony Arnel, Chairman
Green Building Council of Australia