Norman Disney Young (NDY) carried out a Sydney office refurbishment over 3 weeks that resulted in significant cost savings and energy efficiency. Highlights include: integrated management system tracking their NABERS energy rating each month, a lighting upgrade, improved workspaces such as quiet pods and activity-based working (ABW) desks, end of trip transport facilities and reuse of furniture. NDY achieved a reduction of 1,513 pages printed per person, saved 8,511 kWh, increased staff wellbeing, and maintained their 5 star NABERS Energy rating.

NDY’s Global Annual Report tracks key areas of focus through data collation of building energy consumption, travel, paper use and recycling. Between 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years, NDY reduced air travel by 1.09 tonnes CO2-e and reduced building energy by 132 kWh per person

NDY’s offices were already pretty efficient, so the additional effort shows genuine commitment to doing something in every box - including employee wellness. A holistic project that demonstrates their consistent hard work and exemplary sustainability commitment.

NSW judging panel

In late 2016, AMP Limited used an office relocation as an opportunity to transform their Adelaide office to an activity based working environment through an innovative combination of people, space, technology, and sustainability. A strong emphasis on energy efficiency, installing full LED panel lighting with zone controls as well as light harvesting, has resulted in a 70% reduction in lighting energy consumption. In addition to lighting, energy efficient IT equipment supported by a transition to laptops has resulted in a 46% reduction in annual electricity consumption compared to the old office.

To encourage health and wellbeing, AMP has adopted principles of active workplace design including stand up meeting areas, sit to stand workstations, centralised bins, and print stations with secure printing. AMP is a strong supporter of CitySwitch, participating in workshops and sharing report updates across the country. The tenancy is carbon neutral through the purchase of Gold Standard and VCS carbon offsets as part of AMP’s commitment to operational carbon neutrality.

AMP Limited’s well planned and executed relocation strategy, has achieved a 46% reduction in electricity use, carbon neutrality status and wellbeing benefits. They utilise detailed data monitoring and metrics, engage strongly both internally and externally and are strong advocates of CitySwitch.

South Australian judging panel

Determined to set a high standard of commitment and lay a claim to sustainability leadership, ACORPP’s office refurbishment project was carefully planned with clear objectives in mind. Their goals were achieved and even surpassed during the fitout process, with improvements to their recycling and waste reduction, improvement in energy efficiency to 4.5 star NABERS, indoor environment quality and wellness plan including achieving Gold in Healthier Workplaces WA, to create a positive physical environment for staff.

 

 

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) implemented extensive sustainability initiatives in their move to 535 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Their new building features 120 solar panels, hybrid car spaces, end of trip facilities, smart lifts, several internal staircases, energy efficient shading and light systems, in house composting of organics waste and improved recycling streams. ANMF is currently awaiting their accredited ratings with the expectation to meet their 4.5 NABERS energy target and 5 Star Green Star Rating.

 

ANMF have shown genuine leadership when it comes to sustainability, both in the workplace and across the broader health sector. ANMF are a beacon for its members and truly deserve this accolade - Liam Henderson, former CitySwitch award winner with Baptcare.

Victorian judging panel

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) rolled out a national Energy Reduction Strategy that has resulted in a 48.5% reduction in their carbon footprint and a 2.0T CO2/FTE from a peak of 5.04T CO2/FTE in 2009. One hundred per cent of their commercial office spaces have completed NABERS energy ratings and solar has been installed across 38 sites equating to a 544kW capacity. CBA also added 15 new retail sites with each tenancy achieving at least a 5 star NABERS Energy rating.

Other sustainability wins:

• 7 NSW tenancies have with 4 to 5 star NABERS ratings
• 8 NSW tenancies have onsite solar
• 5 NSW tenancies with 5 or 6 star Green Star interiors ratings

Commonwealth Bank of Australia have been the quiet achiever for a number of years, chipping away at waste and cranking up renewable production across a terrific breadth of tenancies. They have now reduced emissions by 48.5% on a 2009 baseline and have even set a 2 tonnes per FTE target. We are delighted to recognise these impressive results across their portfolio.

NSW judging panel

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has the largest area of NABERS Energy rated office space in Australia, are committed to the national CitySwitch program and are ranked number one in lowest carbon intensity per capita against their peers. Their focus is on reducing the impact of their activities by investing heavily in energy efficiency as a first step followed by on-site renewables. During the 2016/17 financial year, the CBA tenancy at 96 King William Street, Adelaide reduced their energy consumption by over 45,000 kWh (8%) and CO2 emissions by 37 tonnes (12%). By implementing new technology such as Smart Relay systems and Envizi monitoring systems across all tenancies, CBA are leading the way in sustainable practices across Australia.

 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s use of monitoring systems to track and benchmark energy data is paying dividends as they are achieving substantial and continual improvements in energy and carbon efficiencies. It is great to see Australia’s biggest bank leading industry and promoting CitySwitch.

South Australian judging panel

Commonwealth Bank rolled out a national Energy Reduction Strategy that has resulted in a 48.5% reduction in their carbon footprint and a 2.0T CO2/FTE from a peak of 5.04tCO2/FTE in 2009. 100% of commercial office spaces have completed NABERS energy ratings and solar has been installed across 38 sites equating to a 544kW capacity. CBA also added 15 new retail sites with each tenancy achieving at least a 5 star NABERS Energy rating.

 

 

Steensen Varming led an effective waste management partnership. They increased their waste streams in the office to include organic waste, landfill, mixed recycling, food packing/soft plastics, Nespresso capsules and cardboard. They engaged their building management Charter Hall to set up organic waste collection by their contractor, and also got onsite cafe The Naked Duck participating in organic waste, and are recruiting other office occupants of the building to scale the project up.

Steensen Varming also took on the CitySwitch coffee cup challenge, procuring reusable coffee-mugs for all their staff. They have also been considering changing their grocery supplier to company which delivers in cardboard boxes instead of plastic bags.

How do you improve on a six star tenancy? You tackle waste and lead your building to establish new recovery beyond the three bin system. They’ve demonstrated a creative, local and tangible partnership. It seems that impressive and sustained leadership is the Steensen Varming hallmark.

NSW judging panel

As a result of government amalgamations, the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) found itself operating out of seven locations in the Adelaide CBD. The decision was made to co-locate into the 35-year old Australian Taxation Office building, choosing to retrofit rather than occupy a new building. This was successfully achieved through an Early Contractor Engagement process, including the building owner and Schiavello as the fitout and base building upgrade contractor, and DEWNR as the tenant.

The achievement is a 6 Star Green Star Interiors rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, and has an agreement with the building owner to achieve a 5 Star NABERS energy and water rating. The environmental footprint has been reduced by nearly 40% in terms of leased floor space and 90% of the materials from the de-fit were diverted from landfill. The interior design has a focus on active working, with more than 30% of workstations being “sit to stand”, as well as centralised staff break out and printing stations. The partnership has achieved leadership in all areas of sustainability and shows that with strong partnerships extraordinary things can be accomplished.

The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources’ decision to consolidate multiple tenancies and retrofit a new tenancy to achieve a 6-star Green Star Interiors rating is an exemplary display of innovation, collaboration and engagement. Their close working relationship with Schiavello was pivotal both the process and exceptional outcomes achieved.

State judging panel

HFM Asset Management (HFM) and TSA Group (TSA) engaged in an energy saving partnership in July 2016. As part of this partnership HFM undertook a comprehensive Energy Audit of the TSA tenancy in July 2016. Through the identification of energy saving opportunities and implementation of sustainability initiatives TSA is achieving 121,440kWh savings/annum, with a projected $37,646 financial benefit and 1.5 increase in their NABERS Energy Rating to 4.5 stars. HFM also has a 5 star NABERS Energy Rating.

 

 

Kernel Property repurposed a previously unused diesel generator room into a fully functioning office that has resulted in financial savings, environmental value, and reuse of recycled materials.

Kernel Property retained the site’s original features as a raw industrial space. Their approach was to introduce materials that would have otherwise gone to landfill. They also converted a plant room into an office space and transformed a service balcony into a usable terrace that also allows fresh air into the office.

Kernel Property executed an innovative project that went beyond business as usual. A true success story about waste avoidance; and that’s something you want to reward.

NSW judging panel