GBCA courses

Sydney and Canberra

GSAP - 7 April, Sydney
GSAP - 5 May, Sydney
GSAP - 11 May, Canberra
GSAP - 9 June, Sydney

Certification Workshop -
23 April, Sydney
Certification Workshop -
1 June, Sydney

Office Interiors - 20 April,
Sydney
Office Interiors - 22 June,
Sydney

GBCA events

Multi Unit Residential Breakfast

Sydney // 21 April

Master Class Conference

Sydney // 22 April

Site Tour: workplace6 and ISIS

Sydney // 22 April

First Canberra Networking Evening

Canberra // 28 April

Industry events

AIRAH workshops on BCA Section J (energy efficiency) amendments, March & April

ARBS 2010 Exhibition, Sydney 12-14 April

BCI Exploring the Opportunties Construction Outlook briefings, May

FMA Ideaction conference, 12-14 May

Developing Human Capital for Sustainable Economies, Germany 27-28 May

Healthy Parkes Healthy People Congress, Melbourne,
11-16 April

Healthy Cities Conference 2010, Brisbane 12-13 July

Leading change, living for one planet, Canberra 27 Sept

Israel GBC co hosting green building convention in Tel Aviv Nov 2010 - email exhibitor expressions of interest

Green Star Communities

Final comments on draft framework close 30 April

Become involved

New members

Architectural Link
BuildingIQ
Built by Thomas
Confluence Project Management
Doig Architecture
Doma Group
Doma Trustee
Equiiva
Floorwise
Home Energy Rating Assessors
Jure Investments
Knauf Plasterboard Australia
LaTrobe University
Metropolitan Fire Brigade
Molonglo Group
Muller Partnership
Nikias Diamond Property Developments
Royal Danish Embassy
SolarArk
Sphere Projects
The Construction Training Centre
Total Energy Solutions
TRG Properties
United Commercial Projects

GBCA Publication
Green Building Evolution

Corporate partners

When one hour is not enough

by Romilly Madew, CEO Green Building Council of Australia

	Millions of homes and businesses around the world turned off their lights on Saturday night for Earth Hour. But is one hour a year enough to make a difference to climate change? The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has to be congratulated for taking a local initiative global and harnessing the support of 4,000 cities in a record 125 countries, but what we need now is more than a global gesture.

Read more on this article

GBCA news

Green Star Communities to address sustainable urban planning challenges
GBCA welcomed the release of the Australian Government's new State of Australian Cities 2010 report; it will help shape the new Green Star Communities rating tool.

Australian and Hong Kong GBC's work together
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Australian and Hong Kong green building councils will enhance collaboration and accelerate the universal adoption of sustainable building practices.

GBCA Chair wins inaugural sustainability award
The Green Building Council of Australia's Chair, Tony Arnel, received the inaugural Australian Institute of Architects' (AIA) Leadership in Sustainability Award.

First scheme recognised under Green Star framework
The Carpet Institute of Australia's Environmental Certification Scheme (ECS) is the first to be recognised under the GBCA's Assessment Framework for Product Certification Schemes.

Green Star Education 'Lighting Zoning' credit
As part of the continuous improvement of Green Star - Education v1, the GBCA undertook a review of Ene-4 'Lighting Zoning'. This revised credit is the result of such work and details can be found here.

GBCA case study

"The Summer" is the first residential apartment development to be certified under the GBCA's Multi Unit Residential PILOT tool. Awarded a 4 Star Green Star rating under the tool, the project represents 'best practice' in environmentally sustainable design.The project by boutique company Match demonstrates that residential developments can achieve high environmental outcomes without sacrificing occupant comfort. Leading the way in sustainable residential design, this 36-unit project on South Beach Promenade in South Fremantle unlocks the potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions in a sector that contributes to approximately 13 per cent of Australia's total emissions.

Read the full case study.

GBCA advocacy

In terms of high policy, the Government is seeking to change the political narrative from climate change to health for the election. For all this, a lot of the practical work on climate change continues, and climate change will still be one of the key issues in this election year. The big action on buildings this past month has been the introduction of the mandatory disclosure bill.

Read about what this means for GBCA and green building.

Industry news

Local

Australian Government released position paper, "Adapting to Climate Change in Australia"

ClimateWorks Australia releases the Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia

Fifth Estate reveals the details of mandatory disclosure

Schneider Electric begins new era of success at Macquarie Park Green Star Head Office

1 Bligh Street - Sydney's first high rise office tower to incorporate blackwater technology

Australian Carbon Trust Board Commences

1 Bligh Street achieves world leadership 6 Star Green Star

International

Journal of Sustainable Real Estate call for papers - deadline 15 May

IFMA Foundation's scholarships for students in Facility Management and related fields - applications close 31 May

United Kingdom: The Government has announced the start of the UK’s “biggest ever” green home building programme

It's Easy Being Green: The Pentagon Goes Green One Wedge at a Time

International project highlight

The Christchurch Civic Building has received a 6 Green Star - Office Design rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council
(NZGBC), with the highest score ever achieved by a New Zealand office building. The building is designed to save $1.3 million in energy annually through its innovative Tri-Generation system, and 85 per cent of its hot water will be heated by solar power. 

The Civic Building, which is nearing completion on Worcester Street, is officially New Zealand’s most sustainable office design. A 6 Green Star rating represents World Leadership and the project scored a record 83 points in the building rating system. It is also New Zealand’s most innovative building, achieving four out of a possible five points for innovation within the Green Star system. The Civic Building is a joint venture between Ngai Tahu Property Ltd and the Christchurch City Council. It is a redevelopment and extension of the old Post Office building in Worcester Street, which was built in the 1970s.

Read more about the project.

Member of the month

As the one stop shop for bicycle parking, Bike Storage specialises in cycle storage infrastructure solutions from simple rack supply and installation to large scale end of trip facilities.  Bike Storage custom builds cycle infrastructure solutions for office buildings, universities, car parks, train stations, shopping centres, schools and residential settings, and can also provide shower facilities and accessories like air compressors, stands and tools.  The Bike Storage designers take a holistic approach to bicycle parking systems, managing the process from start to finish: analysing the space, designing the most suitable system and installing the racks and infrastructure.  All Bike Storage designs are also created to minimise materials and use Australian made products.

The Bike Storage team has extensive experience in bicycle commuting both nationally and internationally that directly influences their design solutions. The company also offers AustCycle Accredited Training to clients to provide cycling skills education for beginner to advanced riders, and a design consultancy service for architects, designers and developers.

Bike Storage has been a GBCA member since 2008.