Cities and buildings

Green Lease Training

Harold Park redevelopment: a sustainability framework

Home based sex services policy research

Impact of building energy efficiency on investment in energy infrastructure

Kinglake West sustainable sewerage project: Mutual learning for social change

Sale and lease processes for residential buildings

Your Home fact sheet review

Green Lease Training
Client: State Property Authority

Institute researchers developed a training program to give leasing and portfolio managers at the State Property Authority the knowledge to understand and implement green leases. Green leases provide a mutual obligation on landlords and tenants to work together to ensure sustainability standards are achieved and maintained. This is commonly achieved via the establishment of Building Management Committees, the adoption of Environmental Management Plans and the monitoring of building performance ratings. The NSW State Government’s Office Building Strategy focuses on the development and implementation of Green Lease Schedules for both the properties it manages and the buildings it leases from private landlords for government agency tenants. To assist leasing and portfolio staff from the State Property Authority in their negotiation of green leases, Institute researchers developed a workshop that covered the policy context, barriers & opportunities; costs & benefits; and the business case for green leases. Case studies featuring real examples of green leasing success stories were provided by the Institute’s industry partners. The benefits of green leases are detailed in the Institute’s ‘Green Lease Guide for Commercial Office Tenants’ published in 2006.

Harold Park redevelopment: A sustainability framework
Client: DBL Property

The proposed redevelopment of the Harold Park site located 2km west of Sydney’s CBD presents a significant opportunity to showcase cutting edge sustainable development. A framework that highlights environmental and social sustainability options for the site was developed by Institute researchers. This has been made available to all stakeholders in the redevelopment process as sustainability is more cost effectively delivered when it is integrated with planning and decision making from the very outset of a redevelopment. The framework contains a set of overarching principles, site specific objectives and options for sustainable, environmentally and socially ’regenerative’ development. If sustainable development is defined as having no net adverse impact on the environment and the broader community, regenerative development has a net positive impact. This could include, for example, the export of energy with low greenhouse intensity or recycled water. The framework covers environmental issues such as low greenhouse intensity energy, urban ecology, materials used, water recycling as well as pollution and waste minimisation. Social sustainability aspects of this site include the way the development could improve housing diversity and affordability and help Sydney meet its 2030 housing supply targets. Information about the site and the development process can be found on the City of Sydney web site.

Impact of building energy efficiency on investment in energy infrastructure
Client: Australian Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

In partnership with Energetics, the Institute carried out research to quantify the potential savings from reduced investment in new energy infrastructure that could be achieved by investing in more energy efficient buildings. The value of avoidable infrastructure investment achievable through energy efficiency was found to be highly significant. The building sector could eliminate all projected growth in Australia's carbon emissions to 2020 at a net economic benefit to society. Two complementary methods were used in this research. The first established the relationship between the impacts of building energy efficiency measures on peak electricity and gas demand at critical times when the supply systems are at maximum constraint. The second determined the cost of providing new electricity and gas infrastructure to meet growth in peak demand, using historical and planned infrastructure investment data. This project filled a research gap in the implications of peak demand reduction for energy efficiency initiatives in residential, commercial and industrial buildings and contributed to informing policy that aims to deliver emissions reductions at lowest cost to society.

Home based sex services policy research
City of Sydney

Research on the types, practices and impact of home based sex services operating in the City of Sydney was undertaken through interviews with operators and stakeholders. The research found the impact on residential amenity in terms of noise, antisocial behaviour, late night disruption etc was minimal given the priority placed on discretion in the operation of such services. A number of operational and long term strategic challenges in relation to regulation and governance of home based sex services were identified. The research found good practice management information on home based sex services which deal specifically with management issues, could be produced to ensure that the current knowledge and experience of workers can be shared with any people considering operating a home based sex service. It also found the issue of safety of workers needs to be further explored and ideally addressed collaboratively with all stakeholder groups with a view to improving the work environment for home based sex workers.

Kinglake West sustainable sewerage project: Mutual learning for social change
Client: Yarra Valley Water

The Kinglake sustainable sewerage project is a trial of alternative sewerage services for Kinglake West households (Victoria). Recruited residents have installed urine diverting toilets (UDTs), onsite treatment of greywater for non potable reuse, and Septic Tank Effluent Pump/Gravity (STEP/STEG) systems for blackwater management. This social research project aims to identify the experiences, practices and attitudes of householders to using UDTs. The research has involved developing a suite of engagement tools for households to ensure appropriate use and maintenance of UDT systems. A user manual and signage for residents will therefore encourage easy operation and maintenance of UDTs and the associated systems. The methodology for the research included a literature review of user manuals for UDTs; pre- and post-installation interviews with householders adopting UD systems; the use of diaries for householders to track their experiences over a two month period; workshops for residents and other key stakeholders and a wrap-up focus group. The Institute and Yarra Valley Water (YVW) have developed a collaborative relationship in piloting UDTs with YVW sponsoring a UDT pilot project at UTS. Both the Kinglake and UTS trial contributes to the limited literature on whole of system design of UD systems, while documenting the experience of users in both an institutional and residential setting in Australia.

Sale and lease processes for residential buildings
Client: Department of Environment, Water Heritage and the Arts

The Institute was commissioned to conduct research into the general processes, paperwork and costs associated with the sale or lease of residential properties. The aim of this research was to help formulate a nationally consistent mandatory disclosure strategy across all states and territories. The mandatory disclosure of information about the energy and water efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions of residential properties at the point of sale is one of the initiatives agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments in July 2009 as part of the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency. The research looked at the processes and costs for both sellers and buyers of non strata and strata titled residential property as well as the processes and costs for landlords and tenants. Recommendations were made in relation to state vendor legislation and ways to implement mandatory disclosure. Communication and education to support vendors in taking on compulsory vendor disclosure were also recommended. Others involved in the sale process such as agents, solicitors, conveyancers and property valuers will also need information and education about the scheme. Assessment methods need to be standardized across jurisdictions. A balance will need to be found between rigour of the assessment process and the ease and cost of the assessment method. A new rating tool that assesses the energy and water efficiency of a home from a holistic perspective may be needed.

Your Home fact sheet review
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

The Institute provided expert advice for updates to the Your Home Technical Manual fact sheets on Hot Water Service and Lighting. The Your Home Technical Manual contains detailed practical information for anyone building, buying or renovating or home who wants to design or build a more comfortable home with reduced impact on the environment.
View/download the Hot Water Services fact sheet
View/download the Lighting fact sheet

Development of a draft monitoring and evaluation plan for the Green Loans Program

Green loans social research

Household sustainability assessment reporting: research into effective communication with householders

Sustainability advice to Frasers Property Australia for development of Broadway site

Sustainability advice to Waverley council

User testing of the Your Home Renovator's Guide

Development of a draft monitoring and evaluation plan for the Green Loans Program
Client: Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) engaged the Institute for Sustainable Futures to develop a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the Australian Government's Green Loans Program. The Green Loans Program is a five-year program with $175 million in funding that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 300,000 tonnes per annum by 2020 and to stimulate $1.1 billion in green investment. A robust Monitoring and Evaluation plan was needed to assess the impact and efficacy of the Green Loans Program during and after its implementation. The key objectives of the Green Loans Program include reductions in household energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and stimulus for green investment and it was critical that the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan measured success in achieving these objectives. In addition, the Green Loans program will reduce water use, deliver economic benefits including employment and industry development and may encourage participants to become more informed about climate change or to take further action on climate change. The Monitoring and Evaluation Plan needed to measure all of these benefits and to assist in adapting the program to improve its effectiveness during implementation. More information on the Green Loans Program is available on the Green Loans web site (opens an external site).

Green loans social research
Client: Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

The Institute conducted a number of research projects with householders to inform the development of the Commonwealth Government's Green Loans program. The projects were conducted in collaboration with a network of universities from around Australia. The aim was to examine current householder attitudes and practices in relation to sustainability, and to identify the factors that maximise participation in behaviour change programs and lead to successful outcomes. The research included a literature review and structured interviews with a range of householders, government and housing industry stakeholders.

Household sustainability assessment reporting: research into effective communication with householders
Client: Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

ISF undertook research for the Australian Government's Green Loans scheme, in collaboration with the Centre for Design at RMIT and the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors. The aim of the research was to determine the most effective type and format for information to be presented to consumers as part of a home sustainability assessment, and in particular the report sent to the household post the assessment which highlights the environmental benefits of the recommended actions. The research included a review of existing international and Australian home assessment tools,focusing in particular on the information presented to the consumer. Two different draft versions of the report were assessed through interviews with a broad range of householders and recommendations made on the most appropriate format and content.

User testing of the Your Home Renovator's Guide
Client: Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

This user-testing of the Your Home Renovators Guide was done in conjunction with the Centre for Design at RMIT and communications testing specialist David Moore. The research involved a series of interviews with randomly selected renovators in four States, to explore their attitudes to sustainability and how these were reflected (or not) in their renovation practices, and then to specifically test their response to the guide. The interviews were followed by two focus groups in Adelaide and Melbourne.

Sustainability advice to Frasers Property Australia for development of Broadway site
Client: Elton Consulting

The Institute and Elton Consulting were commissioned by Frasers Property Australia to provide advice on improving the sustainability of the Frasers Broadway development. The former site of the Carlton and United Brewery is being developed to provide a mix of residential, commercial, retail and public spaces. The developer, Frasers Property, is committed to delivering a landmark green precinct on the western edge of Sydney's CBD. ISF worked in partnership with Elton Consulting and other consultants to identify sustainability opportunities for the site, focusing particularly on reductions in energy use, water use, solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Our work included detailed modelling of site energy and water use and options for reducing energy and water use, participation in stakeholder consultation processes, liaison with regulatory authorities, research on innovative sustainability options for the site and provision of high-level advice on sustainability strategies for the site. For further information on the Frasers Broadway development, see http://www.frasersbroadway.com.au/broadway/ (opens an external site)

Sustainability advice
Client: Waverley Council

Institute researchers were engaged to provide high level sustainability research and advice to Waverley Council regarding their planned future infrastructure. This involved undertaking a literature review on material selection and design aspects which could contribute to the sustainability of Council's operations. 

Barangaroo Development sustainability framework

Creating sustainable neighbourhoods: web-based factsheets

Green Square Town Centre

Energy efficient building fact sheets

Retailer energy efficiency education program

Urban planning: developing an integrated model

Your Home Renovator's Guide

Barangaroo Development sustainability framework
Client: Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA)

The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) invited Institute researchers to develop a sustainability framework and conduct energy and water infrastructure modelling for the Barangaroo renewal project being managed by SHFA at the site formerly known as East Darling Harbour. A concept plan for the mix of commercial, residential, tourist, retail and community uses for this 22-hectare land parcel on Sydney Harbour was endorsed by the Minister in February 2007. This plan makes a commitment to pursuing the highest environmental return possible in terms of water, power and waste technology, as well as environmental building and design excellence processes. The Institute developed a framework featuring six overarching principles to guide future development of the site. This framework was used by the ISF researchers as they developed detailed models for energy and water infrastructure for the site that looked at ways of absolutely minimising demand through high level efficiency, such as water- free cooling and vacuum toilets, as well as interesting ways of meeting that demand, for example, site-wide co-generation of heat and electricity, on site energy storage, water recycling and use of roof water for showering. The report on water options included models for precinct wide flows (demands, potable, greywater, stormwater, rainwater) These details were then used to provide a quantity surveyor with the information required to cost different options. A workshop was held to further discuss targets and options, and develop options to a level of detail that would enable creation of a conceptual design for the Barangaroo site. Following the development of a conceptual design by an engineering firm, a joint preliminary costing exercise was conducted by the engineering firm and ISF. The preliminary costing provided a sense of whether the market could cope with the proposed targets and options. More information on the development of the Barangaroo site can be found at http://www.barangaroo.com/

Creating sustainable neighbourhoods: web-based factsheets
Client: CSIRO

ISF was commissioned to research and write a number of factsheets for the CSIRO 'Your Development' website - an information resource for the development industry on best practice in sustainable mixed-use development. ISF factsheets include: 'Community integration', Community Facilities', 'Walkable neighbourhoods', 'Tools and rating systems for land developers', 'Smart metering'. The factsheets can be accessed from the Your Development website: http://www.yourdevelopment.org/ (opens an external site)

Green Square Town Centre
Client: Mirvac

Institute researchers worked with Elton Consulting to develop a high level sustainability strategy for the Green Square Town Centre development. This strategy sets out environmental sustainability principles, objectives and implementation strategies for the developer of the site. Detailed modelling of options for energy and water was undertaken to ensure the suggested sustainability targets could be met in the most cost effective way. This strategy was used by the developer in its successful tender for the development site to clearly articulate how its integrated sustainability approach would realise Landcom’s and the City of Sydney’s vision for Green Square and commitment to deliver quality urban developments that are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. The sustainability strategy devised for Green Square incorporated rigorous analysis, modelling and feasibility testing of initiatives to ensure project commerciality; phased delivery of sustainability initiatives to meet project timelines and desired outcomes; as well as comprehensive evaluation and monitoring within a living, learning environment. Objectives, initiatives and outcomes were developed for energy/greenhouse gas; water servicing; catchment management; transport and accessibility; operational waste; demolition and construction waste; ecology and biodiversity; construction materials; and indoor air quality.

Energy efficient building fact sheets
Client: Adelaide City Council

The Institute researched and wrote a series of green building fact sheets for Adelaide City Council, focused on energy efficient design and renewable energy technologies. The fact sheets were written for developers, to provide them with practical advice about how to cost effectively reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in their developments.

Your Home Renovator's Guide
Client: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

The Institute is the primary author of the Your Home Renovator's Guide. Developed in collaboration with the Centre for Design at RMIT, the guide is based on detailed research with community, local government and building industry stakeholders. The guide focuses on how to renovate to reduce environmental impact, and acts as a portal for the more detailed information in the Your Home technical manual guide. The guide is supported by a range of government partners from across Australia at Commonwealth, State and local level. The guide is available from: http://www.yourhome.gov.au/renovatorsguide/index.html (opens an external site)

Retailer energy efficiency education program
Client: The GPT Group

Property Group GPT is working with the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change to deliver energy savings through various tenancy initiatives. This project is part of a wider initiative to reduce energy used by lighting in shopping centres by fifty per cent. To date, retailers have been resistant to change towards energy efficient practices and GPT would like to address the barriers which prevent their uptake. ISF was engaged by the property group GPT in 2007 to design training materials and workshops for designers, shop-fitters and tenants of its retail shopping centres. The training focused on the energy efficiency of lighting in the shopping centre tenancies. The Institute took a learner-focused, participatory approach to developing the training materials and sessions. At the outset of the project, members of each audience group were engaged in order to understand their training needs.In order to increase the pool of trainers who could provide ongoing education 'train-the-trainer' workshop was held with a number of GPT staff members to ensure they acquired the appropriate skills to pass on to the key target audiences. The key outputs from the project were two detailed training programs customised for each audience group which can be delivered by GPT's trainers on an ongoing basis.

Urban planning: developing an integrated model
Funded by: University of Technology, Sydney

This project developed sustainable approaches to city planning through an interdisciplinary collaboration, to address the current disconnect between urban planning and environmental impacts. This project reviewed existing planning models for transport, population and land use, and developed a modelling framework that links these components. This integrated framework enables environmental impacts (e.g. greenhouse emissions, energy and water consumption) of future city planning configurations to be assessed. A Sydney based case-study demonstrated the approach and can improve decision-making for urban planning.

Rickwood, P., Giurco, D., Glazebrook, G.J., Kazaglis, A., Thomas, L.E., Zeibots, M.E., Boydell, S., White, S., Caprarelli, G. & McDougall, J. 2007, 'Integrating population, land-use, transport, water and energy-use models to improve the sustainability of urban systems', State of Australian Cities National Conference (SOAC 2007), Adelaide, November 2007 in Proceedings of the State of Australian Cities National Conference 2007, ed Hamnett, S., SOAC, Adelaide, pp. 314-324.
View/Download paper (PDF 183.06KB)

Articles for Sanctuary Magazine

Factsheets for the Your Building web site

Costs and benefits of a green village development

ADVANX sustainable redevelopment project

Clarendon Homes: Home Buyers' Guide

Case study for Your Home

Learning and change for the building industry

Urban environments that promote active living - research and development of website case study materials

Lifting the bar on water and energy infrastructure in Canberra greenfield developments

Your Home Buyers Guide: home energy and water use calculators

Articles for Sanctuary Magazine
Alternative Technology Association
Based on our extensive experience in sustainability-related popular communication, ISF was invited to write several articles for the Alternative Technology Association's 'Sanctuary' magazine. Sanctuary (opens an external site) is sold in newsagents and features sustainable housing projects from around Australia.

Factsheets for the Your Building web site
Client: CSIRO

ISF contributed content to the 'corporate strategies' section of the Your Building web site. Your Building is a comprehensive national guide to sustainable commercial buildings. Our content is on 'learning and creating change', based on many years experience in creating learning and change programs for building industry organisations. The ability to learn and adapt is key to an organisation's competitiveness, and this is particularly true of the building industry as momentum towards a more sustainable approach grows. The content focuses on how best to engage employees and create a culture of organisational learning and innovation. See www.yourbuilding.org (opens an external site)

Costs and benefits of a Green Village Development
Client: Land Management Corporation

ISF was engaged by the Land Management Corporation of South Australia to analyse the whole-of-society, monetised and non-monetised costs and benefits of selected sustainability initiatives planned as part of the Lochiel Park green village development. In stage 1, we developed a detailed methodology, based on integrated resource planning, to carry out the analysis. This included mapping sustainability principles and initiatives; mapping indicative costs and benefits across time and stakeholders; and mapping indicative data needs and likely data availability and quality. In stage 2 we implemented the methodology, developed in Stage 1 based on integrated resource planning, to carry out the analysis. We identified and analysed the most significant costs and benefits of a small, specific set of sustainability initiatives from a whole-of-society and individual resident perspective.

ADVANX Sustainable Redevelopment Project
Client: Rushcutters Bay Pty Ltd

ISF was engaged by Rushcutters Bay Pty Ltd to provide site specific advice for the multi-residential and retail redevelopment of the old Advanx Tyre Service site at Rushcutters Bay. An assessment of best practice, cost effective sustainability options was undertaken following site visits and a review of design proposals and reports. A series of cost-effective sustainable improvements were recommended and included within the developer's application to City of Sydney Council.

Clarendon Homes: Home Buyers' Guide
Client: Investa Property Group

ISF worked in collaboration with Clarendon Homes (of the Investa Property Group), RMIT Centre for Design and the Australian Greenhouse Office to develop an easy-to-use Home Buyers' Guide to provide information on sustainability features (and their benefits) that can be included in newly-built homes. The guide takes home buyers through a step-by-step process to purchasing a new home, providing checklists and tips to help them decide on the features most appropriate to their needs. Information on sustainability was incorporated subtly throughout the guide in order not to overwhelm the reader. The guide was informed by primary research undertaken via interviews with potential project home buyers and Clarendon sales staff. It also drew on examples of existing successful publications aimed at this particular target market and feedback from the project partners. The guide was disseminated widely and designed to be easily accessible to the general home-buying public.

McGee, C.M. 2007, Your Home - Buyer's Guide: A Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a New Home, [prepared for Investa Property Group], Sydney. View/Download (PDF 2.93MB)

Case study for Your Home
Client: Australian Greenhouse Office

ISF is the principal author of Your Home, a comprehensive guide to sustainable housing commissioned by the Commonwealth Government. This small project was to research and write a case study for Your Home's fourth edition on an innovative Sydney renovation in Clovelly. We examined the renovation's sustainability initiatives, which include a cutting edge domestic water treatment system. The full case study is available on the Your Home website: www.yourhome.gov.au (opens an external site)

Learning and Change for the building industry
Client: CSIRO

ISF provided content for the CSIRO Your Building website (opens an external site). This website is a comprehensive national guide to sustainable commercial buildings. Our expertise in learning and change programs for building industry organisations led to an invitation to develop content for the 'corporate strategies' section of the website. The ability to learn and adapt is key to an organistion's competitiveness, and this is particularly true of the building industry as momentum towards a more sustainable approach grows. The content focuses on how best to engage employees and create a culture of organisational learning and innovation.

Urban environments that promote active living - research and development of website case study materials
Client: Premier's Council for Active Living

This project developed case studies to illustrate Designing Places for Active Living - a set of planning and design guidelines developed by the Premier's Council for Active Living. The research investigated a number of urban environments and built form projects in Sydney to determine whether they demonstrated the application of the 'Active Living principles' devised by the Premier's Council for Active Living. Research was conducted into a selection of these projects determined to be good examples, and concise case studies were then developed (with text and photographs) for inclusion as part of the Designing Places for Active Living resource on the PCAL website (opens an external site). The 'Designing Places for Active Living' web resource, can be found on the Premier's Council for Active Living website at: http://www.pcal.nsw.gov.au/planning_and_design_guidelines (opens an external site)

Lifting the bar on water and energy infrastructure in Canberra greenfield developments
Client: Land Development Agency

The Institute was commissioned by the ACT's Land Development Agency to assist in creating guidelines for potential joint venture participants for the latest greenfield development at the northern ACT suburb of Crace. Like other State Government land developers, LDA's role encompasses industry leadership. LDA's vision for Crace is that it should set a new standard in sustainability initiatives in the ACT, so LDA has high expectations for water and energy demand and supply. ISF reviewed the opportunities for Crace, and specified targets that align with LDA's intentions, and are qualitatively different from current thinking what is best practice. The notional targets set significant water and energy use reductions for the residential land release. They are strong targets, relative to current best practice, with a focus on efficiency first (e.g. efficient appliances for water, high level passive solar design for energy, then source substitution for water (e.g. raintanks, greywater reuse, sewer mining) and low emission and/or renewables for energy (e.g. solar hot water and efficient gas heating provisions).

Your Home Buyers Guide: home energy and water use calculators
Client: Investa Property Group

ISF was engaged by Investa Property Group to develop calculators for various aspects of home energy and water use, to link to the Your Home Buyers Guide. Excel calculators were created to compare relative cost  and greenhouse gas emissions savings for lighting, comparing various lighting options with similar light output. In addition, ISF developed a tool to compare relative costs, emissions and (where relevant) water use for various white goods and costs and water use for various water-using appliances.

Applying sustainability to residential housing

Ecological footprint studies review

The Green Lease Guide

Perceptions of sustainable housing: research with industry and consumers

Developing a sustainability vision for the Australian Technology Park

GreenSmart Renovations Course

Green Living introductory course for builders and GreenSmart Modules

Applying sustainability to residential housing
Client: Stockland Corporation Ltd

The Institute provided expert advice to major developers such as Landcom and Stockland Corporation on various sustainability-related projects. Members of the project team coordinated the ESD plan for Stockland Corporation's bid for the Rouse Hill Regional Centre and Second Ponds Creek.

Ecological Footprint Studies Review
Client: Total Environment Centre

The Total Environment Centre engaged ISF to prepare a desktop report on relevant ecological footprint studies. The studies support a comparative assessment of urban forms and housing types with a focus on low-density and medium-density (near rail), residential experiences. Reviewed studies which compared environmental impacts of different types of urban development in Australian cities. Impacts covered by studies included energy, greenhouse, urban air pollution and water use. Review included analysis of methodological limitations and potential application to Sydney.

The Green Lease Guide
Client: Investa Property Group

ISF researched and wrote the award-winning Green Lease Guide for tenants of office buildings. The guide encourages tenants to make more sustainable choices in the selection, design and management of their offices by providing a practical and informative decision-making framework. Tenants were directly targeted because they play a significant role in the environmental performance of office buildings. The guide also indirectly targets property owners and managers, by creating tenant demand for more sustainable leasing options. Project partners include Investa Property Group, City of Sydney, City of Melbourne and the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation. Since its release in 2006 the guide has received an extremely positive response from tenants and property managers, and in 2007 it won an Australian Property Institute award for leadership and innovation.The guide is available for download from: http://www.investa.com.au/Sustainability/Tenants.aspx (opens an external site)

Perceptions of sustainable housing: research with industry and consumers
Client: Sustainable Industries Division, Queensland EPA

This research examines consumer and industry perceptions of sustainable housing and makes recommendations for effective policy development based on the findings. The project has a focus on Queensland, but also draws on relevant information and literature from elsewhere. The report separately identifies consumer and industry perceptions of sustainable housing and examines the relationships between them. It is based on three complementary components; an extensive literature review, separate surveys of consumers and industry members (conducted at a Brisbane home show), and structured interviews with over 20 stakeholders. The project considered how the Queensland Government might use the research findings to inform its approach to policy development in the area of sustainable housing. The report identifies a number of key 'drivers' and related perceptions, and develops a number of potential policy responses.

Developing a sustainability vision for the Australian Technology Park (ATP)
Client: Australian Technology Park (Precinct Management)

The Australian Technology Park is Australia's leading technology precinct. Its future planning has a strong focus on achieving sustainable outcomes reflected in social, environmental and economic agendas. ISF was engaged to run a sustainability workshop designed to establish a vision for the Park and some overarching goals and strategies to help it move towards sustainability. The workshop was held with a cross section of senior staff from the Redfern/Waterloo Authority and the Australian Technology Park. The ISF team presented an overview of sustainability to create a common understanding of the current issues and challenges and then ran group exercises, such as a back-casting session to draw ideas from the staff about the direction in which the Park should be moving. A report was provided which detailed the outcomes and ideas. The project acted as a first step on the sustainability journey for ATP.

GreenSmart Renovations Course
Client: Housing Industry Association (NSW)

ISF developed a sustainable renovations module for the popular GreenSmart training series for designers and builders. Based on theories of effective learning and research with the intended audience, the training follows the typical renovations decision-making process and includes interactive components. it provides a comprehensive review of the important sustainability issues to be considered at each stage of the process. The aim is to provide learners with the tools to translate principles into practice across a range of different situations and encourage genuine, personalised learning. The module is currently being delivered nationally.

Green Living introductory course for builders and GreenSmart   Modules
Client: Housing Industry Association (NSW)

The Institute has just completed the development of sustainable housing training programs for members of Australia's two peak building industry organisations, HIA and MBA. The courses provide designers, builders and developers with practical tools for ensuring their buildings have low environmental impact and are socially responsible. For the MBA, we have designed an innovative new program that is informed by learning theory, structured from the builders point of reference and based on a participatory, 'active learning' framework. For the HIA, we designed specialist   GreenSmart modules to complement the existing introductory course, focused on water management, energy services and renovations.

Sustainable water use: efficient then effective

Scoping study on mixed-use development

Design charrette - Desert People's Centre

Sustainable Water Use: Efficient then Effective
The award-winning BEDP Environment Design Guide (opens an external site) is a product of the Australian Council of Building Design Professions.   It is a sought after source of valuable information for practitioners in industry and government, as well as academics and students. In 2005, ISF was invited to prepare a peer-reviewed paper on sustainable water use in buildings.   The paper starts by outlining the crossroads at which urban water finds itself.   It then debunks some common myths about what the most cost-effective investments are for water use in the urban built environment, and briefly explores the pros and cons of existing regulatory and rating tools.   It finishes by explaining the main factors that influence water use, identifies the many opportunities   building design professions have to influence these factors, and explains how to go about making decisions that will lead to better outcomes in terms of sustainable water use.   EDG papers and case studies are available at the BEDP Environment Design Guide (opens an external site) web site.

Scoping study on mixed-use development
Client: Australian Greenhouse Office

The Institute conducted a consultation process with a broad range of industry stakeholders involved in mixed-use subdivision development (urban infill and greenfield sites). The aim was to determine what the key information gaps currently are in terms of implementing sustainability at this scale of development, and from there to develop a framework for a best practice technical guide on sustainable mixed use development.

Design charrette - Desert People's Centre
Client: Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment (NT)

In February 2005, the Institute's Director was invited to participate in a 2-day Design Charrette and to provide expert advice and input for water use, in particular advice on water reclamation for cooling towers and fire protection. The Charrette was held on 7 and 8 February 2005 at the CSIRO offices and Desert Knowledge CRC headquarters on the outskirts of Alice Springs, adjacent to the proposed location of the Desert People's Centre, which was proposed to be the new home for the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Batchelor College. The Charrette aimed to develop objectives, performance indices, design principles and possible design solutions for a simple, world class, environmentally friendly Desert People's Centre. Further details regarding the Desert People's Centre can be found on the Desert Knowledge CRC web site (opens an external site).

Greensmart Magazine

Sustainable - Affordable Housing: submission to inquiry into first home ownership

Community Learning and Innovation Centre (CLIC) Mullumbimby Redevelopment

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Design and Documentation Operations Manual

Greensmart Magazine
Client: Housing Industry Association (NSW)

Greensmart Magazine is a HIA initiative- a glossy yearly publication on sustainable home design aimed at the general public. The Magazine is published by Fairfax and will be sold in news agents. HIA needed ISF's technical expertise to edit the stories researched and written by journalists.

Sustainable - Affordable Housing: submission to inquiry into first home ownership
Client: Productivity Commission

The Institute made a submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry evaluating the affordability and availability of housing for first home buyers. This submission recommended the affordability of living in houses and not just their purchase cost should be examined. High energy and water bills and high transport costs can affect the affordability of housing because they reduce first homeowners' ability to repay their mortgages.

Tarlo, K., McGee, C., Campbell, S. Cheney, H., Goldie, C. and Lansbury, N. 2003, Sustainable-Affordable Housing: submission to inquiry into first home ownership, [submission to the Productivity Commision], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney. Download/view (PDF 1.6MB)

Community Learning and Innovation Centre (CLIC) Mullumbimby Redevelopment
Client: Community Learning and Innovation Centre

The Community Learning and Innovation Centre (CLIC) engaged the Institute to provide advice on how to incorporate sustainability principles into the redevelopment of their site in Mullumbimby.

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Design and Documentation Operations Manual
An Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Design and Documentation Operations Manual that if successfully implemented by Clarendon will position the company at the leading edge of sustainable development in the Australian Building Industry. The Institute is working with Clarendon Property Group, a major residential developer, to assist them to incorporate sustainability into their operations. We are providing technical advice, designing in-house training, and working with Clarendon staff to design a sustainability operations manual to ensure that sustainability is considered at every stage of the design and construction process for their developments, as well as in their own internal business operations.

Developing strategies for mainstreaming sustainability: identifying constraints and potential solutions

Greening the Building Works

Redesigning the Urban Water Cycle

Developing Strategies for Mainstreaming Sustainability: identifying constraints and potential solutions
Client: Planning NSW

ISF completed an assessment of the barriers holding back the implementation of sustainability in the residential property industry on behalf of Planning NSW and the Sustainability Advisory Council.   This project identified and mapped the main barriers to 'mainstreaming' sustainable residential development, using extensive stakeholder consultation across the relevant government and industry sectors, and an emergent process to map results. The value of having an independent group manage the process was demonstrated by the level of cooperation and positive feedback given by participants. The project has since been acknowledged as the most comprehensive consultation process the NSW development industry has seen.

Greening the Building Works
Funded by: Institute for Sustainable Futures

Two-day course for local government, project managers, developers and design professionals. The course will cover how to integrate sustainability into building developments from a life cycle perspective, using concepts, case studies and tools. Greening the Building Works is aimed at an audience of developers, project managers, planners, architects, engineers and other development professionals. The course provides participants with an understanding of planning contexts, key environmental issues to be considered at each stage of the building's life cycle, and a range of tools designed to assist in integrating environmental issues with project planning. The course was originally developed in collaboration with the Centre for Design, RMIT University, and has been run several times in Sydney and Melbourne. Each time the course is run participant numbers increase, a reflection of the growing interest in these issues. The Institute is now looking to expand on the previous course format by creating specialised modules on top of the introductory level material.

Redesigning the Urban Water Cycle
Funded by: Institute for Sustainable Futures

Redesigning the Urban Water Cycle was run for the first time last year and proved to be a great success. The course provides participants with an understanding of innovative approaches to water management at a range of development scales and across a range of building types. An interactive workshop in the afternoon allows participants to engage with the concepts being discussed. Last year, an existing inner city site was used as the basis for the workshop- participants worked with final year architecture students from UTS to create sustainable water management strategies, based on the student's design proposals for the site. Both the students and the participants found the workshop enjoyable and beneficial.

Shop Smart: Buy Green: a consumer's guide to saving money and reducing environmental impacts.

Product Innovation: the green advantage

Your Home good design guide

Shop Smart: buy green: A consumer's guide to saving money and reducing environmental impacts.
This booklet shows consumers how to assess the environmental impacts of the products they purchase. It allows consumers to choose products that use fewer natural resources and less energy during their manufacturing, distribution, use and disposal. It includes a handy checklist and practical tips on how to shop smart and green.

Product Innovation: the Green Advantage
Design for Environment, or Ecodesign, encourages businesses to design products in ways that minimise their environmental impacts, whilst increasing market advantage and fostering innovation. This booklet, produced for Environment Australia, shows the economic and environmental benefits of DfE and how to introduce DfE into a business. Case studies illustrate some Australian businesses that have successfully incorporated DfE into their business operations. A useful list of additional resources and contacts is included in the booklet.

Your Home: Design for Lifestyle and Future

This comprehensive national guide to sustainable home design and construction is presented as a magazine, with a series of technical fact sheets contained on a CD ROM at the back of the magazine.

Your Home was published by the Institute and the Australian Greenhouse Office to encourage the design, construction and renovation of homes that are comfortable, healthy and more environmentally sustainable.

The Your Home Consumer Guide is a 32 page, easy to read, full colour magazine with helpful hints on buying, building or renovating a home. The aim of the magazine is to generate consumer demand for sustainable home design.

The Your Home Technical Manual contains over 60 individual fact sheets full of all the technical information needed by designers and builders to implement sustainable solutions and create homes that are more comfortable, less expensive to run and more environmentally friendly. The technical manual covers all aspects of building, renovating or buying a home. Extensive stakeholder consultation has ensured the information is provided in a accessible and highly usable form. The guide was updated in 2002 with the addition of five new case studies. Both the consumer guide and the technical manual are available from the Your Home web site at http://www.yourhome.gov.au (opens an external site)

Your Home won the Environmental Leadership in Communications award at the 2003 Banksia Environmental Foundation Awards (opens an external site). These awards acknowledge efforts that make a positive difference to our environment and so inspire and motivate others to pursue the practice of environmental excellence. The Environmental Leadership in Communications award recognises communication that raises public awareness and understanding of environmental issues and innovations.

Your Home also took out the Housing Industry Association (HIA) GreenSmart Partnership Award (opens an external site). The HIA GreenSmart Partnership Award recognises projects that best typify the collaborative partnership approach of GreenSmart in achieving environmental outcomes in housing construction and operation. At the awards ceremony HIA noted that the Your Home project had successfully brought together stakeholder groups from government, community and the building and design industries to create a suite of design guide materials for producing houses that are more environmentally sustainable and have a lower greenhouse signature. Winning the award gives the project key recognition within the building industry itself - an achievement that indicates the level of credibility that the guide materials enjoys amongst practitioners in the building industry.

The June issue of the Better Homes and Gardens magazine included a free CD of Your Home, promoting it as a guide to better building, buying and renovating. The sellout success and high consumer demand throughout Australia for Your Home was described in an article in UTS: News (25 February-10 March 2002).

Sustainable management guidelines for buildings owned by the City of Sydney

Australian Conservation Foundation's 60L Green Building

Case for green buildings: capturing the financial benefits

Training in the building and construction industry

Sustainable Management Guidelines for Buildings owned by the City of Sydney
Client: City of Sydney

The City of Sydney owns an extensive property portfolio that is an integral part of the built and social landscape of the Sydney Local Government Area. This project developed a set of integrated guidelines for energy, water, waste and materials to ensure that the principles of sustainability are incorporate into the construction of new buildings and the management of existing buildings, in particular those with heritage significance such as the Sydney Town Hall.

Australian Conservation Foundation's 60L Green Building
60L aims to be the premier green commercial building in Australia, unique in its approach to energy and water consumption, and the use of recycled and re-used materials during construction. For a building of this type to achieve the goal of world's best practice environmental performance in a commercially viable office building, it is imperative that scheme water demand be reduced as much as possible. The Institute developed a series of water management options for the building, and undertook modelling of the hydraulic, technical, economic and other aspects of these options and their implementation. The practical limits of demand reduction were tested by detailed end-use modelling of various options incorporating water efficiency, reuse and dry sanitation technologies. See http://www.60lgreenbuilding.com/ (opens an external site) for details.

Case for Green Buildings: capturing the financial benefits
This research examined the range of financial and other benefits associated with green buildings, through both new construction and refurbishment.   A wide range of Australian and international case studies, demonstrating how numerous organisations have 'greened' their building stock and the resulting financial benefits were examined. Recommendations were made to the client on the organisational factors needed to successfully implement a green building program and the process for the AGD to take its agenda forward. The first section of this report documents growing evidence of a strong economic case for 'green' or sustainable building, synthesised from a wide range of international and local research, case studies and data. It examines the wide range of direct and indirect economic benefits associated with green building, including recurrent operational savings, potential capital cost savings, wellbeing and productivity benefits, regulatory drivers and financial incentives, improved risk management, improved investment value and the indirect economic value of leading by example. The second section of the report examines the most effective approaches to implementation of sustainability in buildings, and specifically the opportunities for the AGD in relation to its building portfolio. It examines the need for organisational commitment, a new approach to defining 'value', the use of innovative financing mechanisms, a new approach to cost planning, investment in quality design and a new approach to project delivery. The report concludes by outlining a staged implementation plan for the 'greening' of the AGD building portfolio.

Training in the Building and Construction Industry
The first stage of this project for Australian Building Energy Council (ABEC) involved design, management and analysis of a nation-wide survey for universities, TAFEs and professional associations within the Australian building and construction sector, in order to establish the level of coverage of greenhouse-related issues in current teaching and establish where the greatest gaps occur. The second stage of this project involved assembling a set of principles and criteria for the development of sustainability education, and analysing the 'best practice' educational offerings we identified in the survey against these principles and criteria. Recommendations were developed, as a result of this analysis, to assist education deliverers to integrate sustainability when designing programs and courses. These recommendations focused on both content and process. A subsequent project focused on enabling education deliverers to create sustainable change. This report has been created as a resource for tertiary education deliverers who wish to develop and deliver training aimed at enabling more sustainable practices in the building and construction industry. Stage II of the Australian Building Energy Council (ABEC) project on Training in the Australian Building and Construction Industry focused on enabling education deliverers to create sustainable change. The report was created as a resource for tertiary education deliverers who wish to develop and deliver training aimed at enabling more sustainable practices in the building and construction industry.

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