Awards 2012

CitySwitch National Signatory of the Year 2012

The Royal Automobile Club Of Western Australia

The creation of a marginal abatement cost curve showed a first principles approach to formulating efficiency strategies and ensured that the right projects were tackled in the right order. RACWA’s communications and staff engagement strategy demonstrated leadership over-and above in delivering sustained change that is well ingrained in its corporate culture.

CitySwitch National Awards judging panel

Congratulations to the Royal Automobile Club of Western  Australia (RACWA) for their commitment and comprehensive approach to minimising their carbon impact. RAC is WA’s leading motoring membership club, with more than 720,000 members. A corporate culture of environmental  sustainability is already embedded across the organisation’s external operations with initiatives such as the ‘Less Emissions Mission’ which rewards low carbon emitting car owners with cheaper insurance and membership, offsetting of emissions produced by its own vehicle fleet, provision of greener motoring information to all members and participation in WA’s first electric vehicle trial. Since joining CitySwitch in  November 2011, RACWA has turned their focus to their own office operations and implemented a range of bold and innovative projects.

RACWA impressed CitySwitch  Awards judges with their commitment and rigour to introducing and implementing new green initiatives. Having originally gained a 4 star rating in 2009 they have since gone on to achieve and maintain a 4.5 NABERS Energy whole building rating, saving 46,474 KWh in electricity use. Following on from this achievement, RACWA conducted a comprehensive assessment of resource consumption at their West Perth office, identifying a range of opportunities to reduce energy consumption. A resulting Resource Efficiency Action Plan and associated Marginal Cost Curve of Abatement (which facilitates the prioritisation of energy saving initiatives based on their cost and abatement potential) have helped identify the organisation’s next energy saving initiatives. 

City of Perth’s Clr Lyndon Rodgers presents RACWA’s Senior Vice President Esme Bowen & CEO Terry Agnew with the National Signatory of the Year Award.

New Signatory of the Year 2012

Tract Consulting & GIW Enviromental Solutions

If the definition of leadership is to inspire others to follow, Tract is the standout winner in this category. Their internal competition has all the hallmarks of best practice.

National CitySwitch judging panel

Tract Consultants and GIW Environmental Solutions are the collective winners of the 2012 National New Signatory of the Year. Sharing a tenancy in Richmond, Melbourne, the office has cut energyuse by 10 per cent and are on track to reduce their annual energy consumption by 19MWh, saving $4,400 and achieving a 4 Star NABERS energy rating. The judges said, “If the definition of leadership is to inspire others to follow, Tract and GIW are the standout winner in this category. Their internal competition has all the hallmarks of best practice: creating competition to drive engagement, empowering teams to improve their environments, backing this up with budget and management support, and implementing ideas for continuous improvement.”

The shared office put staff up to the challenge of an internal energy reduction competition across ‘blue’, ‘yellow’, ‘green’ and ‘orange’ teams.  Competing for maximum energy savings, teams actioned a diverse number of initiatives ranging from delamping, an HVAC upgrade and an energy-saving tips mascot, to equipment timer switches and use of switch-off signage with the slogan ‘we are yellow’ to bolster team member participation and behaviour change. The tenancy has since gone on to partner with RMIT University students (as part of CitySwitch Victoria’s collaboration project) to identify new improvement strategies.

Winners under 2000sqm

New South Wales

Buildcorp Group

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
28 tonnes CO2-e (excludes PV system)
Key initiatives:
Full lighting upgrade, cluster PC shut-downs, motion sensor lighting, installation of 21kW PV system, Green Star accreditation.

The Buildcorp Group have reduced electricity use by 5,580 kWh by under taking a range of energy saving initiatives at their former warehouse office space in Camperdown. The incorporation of high-tech energy saving equipment, along with Green Star accreditation compliments the efforts of an active sustainability committee who has been key in getting staff on board, thinking about sustainability at both work and home.

Buildcorp’s strong commitment to energy efficiency is innovative and daring.

NSW CitySwitch judging panel

Tony Sukkar of Buildcorp Group accepts the CitySwitch Award as presented by Lord Mayor, Clover Moore.


South Australia

CBRE

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
27 tonnes CO2-e (excludes PV system)
Key initiatives:
Office relocation to a 4 star Green Star rated building, advocated and worked with building owner to improve base building energy performance, installed a 36kW PV solar installation (generating over 52,000 kWh of zero emission electricity for the base building).

Following an office relocation to a green building in Adelaide, CBRE has taken a proactive approach to measure, monitor and optimise energy efficiency. A number of actions have been implemented to further improve the performance of both their tenancy and building, and CBRE continues to be an active member and great advocate of the CitySwitch program.

The team at CBRE have used low-cost solutions to produce easy-to-use, effective opportunities in energy efficiency.

SA CitySwitch judging panel

Lord Mayor, Stephen Yarwood presents David Lowe of CBRE with the CitySwitch Award.


Victoria

Public Transport Ombudsman

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
10.6 tonnes CO2-e
Key initiatives:
Comprehensive staff behaviour change campaign, upgrading to more efficient appliances, IT equipment improvements and upgrades.

Having increased their rating to 6 stars and saved over 2600kWh in the last year,the Public Transport Ombudsman has demonstrated more incremental savings this year cited ongoing environmental management, staff engagement and education as their key to success. The not for profit organisation was the recipient of this award in 2011, a finalist in 2010, and continues to demonstrate.

Since joining CitySwitch in 2009, Public Transport Ombudsman has achieved a 6 star NABERS Energy rating, and has been a strong advocate and active participant in CitySwitch, truly walking the talk when it comes to energy efficiency.

Victoria CitySwitch judging panel

Christine Arthur and Janine Young of Public Transport Ombudsman CitySwitch Award.


Western Australia

Norman Disney & Young

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
438 tonnes CO2-e (excludes PV system)
Key initiatives:
Policy changes, plant and equipment upgrades, implementation of an Environmental Management System and a behaviour change program.

Norman Disney & Young have undertaken a number measures to reduce energy consumption including creation of a volunteer staff committee responsible for monitoring and instigating various environmental initiatives. The engineering consultancy have also upgraded to energy efficient printers and introduced alternate travel incentives to reduce staff car dependency.

As active supporters of CitySwitch since joining in 2010, Norman Disney & Young were awarded for successfully undertaking measures to reduce energy consumption with current savings21,737kWh and 438 tonnes of CO2 emissions. We commend them for their commitment and dedication.

WA CitySwitch judging panel

(Left to right): Darrel Williams of Norman Disney & Young with Margaret Collingwood, CitySwitch Program Manager and Esme Bowen of RAC

Winners over 2000sqm

New South Wales

Dexus Property Group

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
70 tonnes CO2-e
Key initiatives:
Rollout of remote access software, virtual servers, air-conditioning and lighting control adjustments, swipe card print tracking software.

Projects implemented in DEXUS’ George Street tenancy in Sydney have brought excellent and tangible outcomes. DEXUS have achieved carbon neutrality for the second year running, have reduced electricity use by 17 per cent and increased their NABERS rating by half a star for their existing fit out.

DEXUS’ carbon neutrality certification demonstrates a high level of commitment to ongoing sustainable office management.

NSW CitySwitch judging panel

Michael Lane of DEXUS Property Group accepts the CitySwitch Award as presented by Lord Mayor, Clover Moore.


South Australia

South Australia Police

NABERS Energy rating:
TBA
Emission savings:
TBA tonnes CO2-e
Key initiatives:
Innovative building performance control systems, extensive staff engagement, replication of lessons learnt across other state offices, active involvement in CitySwitch.

By consolidating two tenancies into one purpose-built, environmentally focussed facility, South Australia Police have seen an impressive 63 per cent reduction in overall energy consumption. The new tenancy delivers 100 staff bicycle parkingspaces, natural light and an air-conditioning system that provides 100 per cent fresh air for an improved internal working environment.

South Australia Police have chosen a sustainable path forward. They are a great example of corporate leadership, having taken a holistic approach to sustainability, not only to energy reduction, but also for reducing waste to landfill, consolidating equipment, improving fleet efficiencies and staff communication.

SA CitySwitch judging panel

Lord Mayor, Stephen Yarwood presents Steve Attard of the South Australia Police with the CitySwitch Award.


Victoria

Wise Employment

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
1655 tonnes CO2-e
Key initiatives:
Behaviour change, upgrade to more efficient equipment, strategic policy implementation, carbon offsetting.

Since becoming a Signatory to CitySwitch in June 2011, WISE have investigated sustainable procurement, offset all fleet and travel emissions and developed a detailed emissions inventory across their entire business. The company provides added incentivise for their offices to achieve energy reductions via the WISE 5 star Sustainability Awards.

Wise Employment achieved a 5 star NABERS Energy rating and saved over 1655 tonnes of carbon emissions in the first year of joining CitySwitch—the equivalent of removing 390 cars offthe road. We commend their efforts in their quest to become carbon neutral.

Victoria CitySwitch judging panel

Professor Veena Sahajwalla, Climate Commissioner joins CitySwitch winner Kate Gomers all of WISE Employment and Cr. Stephen Mayne of the City of Melbourne.


Western Australia

The Royal Automobile Club Of Western Australia

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
TBA CO2-e
Key initiatives:
Resource efficiency action plan and marginal abatement cost curve, real time monitoring project and roll out of staff behavioural change programs.
Upcoming priority initiatives include delamping, control system adjustments and enhancement of air-conditioning and lighting systems.

The Royal Automobile Club of WA (RACWA) has undertaken an in-depth assessment of resource consumption at their West Perth office. Through this assessment, opportunities to reduce energy consumption have been identified and a strategic Resource Efficiency Action Plan created to prioritise energysaving initiatives.

Since joining the program in November 2011, the RACWA has demonstrated active engagement and large investment in technology to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption.They have also demonstrated strong cultural interaction between management and personnel. We congratulate the RACWA for their leadership.

WA CitySwitch judging panel

Lord Mayor Lisa-M Scaffidi presents Esme Bowen of the RACWA with the CitySwitch Award.