Awards 2018

CitySwitch National Signatory of the Year 2018 - Under 2000 sqm

 

Steensen Varming - winner

Steensen Varming

This was a very holistic approach to improving waste management. Their engagement of staff in the project was particularly strong.

National judging panel

Steensen Varming have been operating at a high level of energy efficiency in their Sydney tenancy for several years, and the waste actions and engagement we’ve heard about earlier are thoughtful and comprehensive. Additionally, the national judging panel were impressed with their commitment to fostering a vertical community within their building, as well as communicating their sustainability goals within their global team.

Michael Harrold (Associate Director), Annie Vaughn (General Manager), Kamisha Goburdhun, Tia Simpson, Diksha Vijapur and Garry Luu from Steensen Varming with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore (L-R)


 

Baenziger Coles - highly commended

Baenziger Coles

Baenziger Coles stands out for their rigorous approach to identifying opportunities for improvement and persisting at the numerous small changes that add up to significant achievements.

National judging panel

Since joining CitySwitch in 2012 Baenziger Coles have been consistently working towards reducing energy consumption through increasing efficiency and improving behavioural practices. They’ve undertaken rigorous process of analysis and fine tuning in their architecture studio, including relacing lighting, closing unsealed fitting gaps, and optimising HVAC settings combined with 28 roof solar panels to achieve a 5.5 NABERS energy rating.

Sue Coles, Director, Baenziger Coles with Deb Cailes, Manager – Urban Sustainability, City of Melbourne (L-R)’

CitySwitch National Signatory of the Year 2018 - Over 2000 sqm

 

First State Super - winner

First State Super

First State Super’s project involved the biggest effort on engagement we’ve seen in this category. The project demonstrates the benefit of involving all stakeholders in striving for positive change.

National judging panel

On 19 February 2018 the First State Super Sustainability Council launched their first War on Waste challenge to educate and encourage staff to reduce office waste. As part of this challenge they asked all 500+ employees to make a pledge to undertake a sustainable action and commit for at least 6 weeks. They then ran a detailed and comprehensive engagement campaign, 366 pledges made, 220 keep cups provided to staff, 10,443kg CO2 reduction, a 41% reduction in disposable coffee cup waste, 136 employees completed the online sustainability training and 141 sustainability reward cards were sent via peer to peer recognition.

First State say that this project has significantly raised awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability in the workplace. There is a noticeable and visible ongoing effect with most employees continuing to use keep cups long after the campaign ended and continuing to encourage others to do so. They are now preparing for our second War on Waste initiative “Rethink the print” which was an idea suggested to the council from our Head of Technology.

Emma Keating and Zoe Heath from First State Super with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore (L-R)


 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia - highly commended

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

A company such CBA with its size and complexity continuing to achieve such impressive outcomes should be congratulated.

National judging panel

CBA set ambitious 57.6% emissions targets to be achieved by 2020, and through a comprehensive, holistic and ongoing efficiency program, sophisticated monitoring, analysis and building tuning, this year CBA has already reached a 52.5% reduction, another 7% since last year. This includes saving 1,855 tonnes CO2-e in their NSW properties, and almost 400,000 dollars.

They’ve backed all of this with science based targets, onsite solar, a Carbon Positive commitment and this month signed on as the first Australian RE100 company, going 100 per cent renewable by 2030.

In parallel, they continue developing on-site renewable energy generation capacity, and all new retail branches are being built to minimum 5 star Green Star rating, and they have developed a program to rate all main commercial tenancies for IEQ.

David Bullock and Sanjeet Singh from Commonwealth Bank of Australia with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore (L-R)


 

TSA Group - highly commended

TSA Group

This was a very broad-focused project that has address sustainability holistically. TSA Group have addressed all of CitySwitch’s focus areas.

National judging panel

TSA Group have implemented additional energy saving measures in their Perth office to reduce electricity consumption by a further 10% on top of the savings realised last year. They also ran a war on waste, introducing a recycling hub, engagement and education, and estimate they have diverted 100,000 litres of waste from landfill in the last 12 months, achieving a 75% recycling rate. They implemented a range of ‘healthy building’ actions, and have seen absentee and productivity rates improve, saving the company money, but also resulting in a happier, healthier team.

Francis Stockwell from TSA Group with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore (L-R)

CitySwitch National Partnership of the Year 2018

 

Melbourne Renewable Energy Project - winner

Melbourne Renewable Energy ProjectPacific Hydro

MREP is a really innovative use of Public-Private Partnerships across a large number of quite different organisations, and it’s impressive in its scale of ambition and documentation of outcomes.

National judging panel

The Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP) is a catalyst for changing electricity procurement, acting on climate change and driving investment in renewable energy. The MREP marks the first time that a partnership of 14 organisations from a range of sectors - local governments, cultural institutions, universities and corporations – have collectively purchased renewable energy from a newly built facility.

The MREP partners have committed to purchasing 88 GWh of renewable energy under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). The agreement enables Pacific Hydro to progress financing and construction of a new wind farm at Crowlands, a small agricultural community, north of Ararat in western region of Victoria.

Dick Gross, Port Phillip Deputy Mayor and Rob Spurr, CEO of Pacific Hydro with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore (L-R)

CitySwitch National New Signatory of the Year 2018

 

Catholic Church Insurance - winner

Catholic Church Insurance

CCI stood out in a very competitive round due to their quantification of outcomes, involvement of staff in initiatives, and connecting environmental outcomes to social ones (e.g. donating old IT to charity).

National judging panel

CCI established the Green Team in early 2018 and determined that printing and waste reduction were the principal concerns. They developed campaigns to educate and communicate staff and their second round of waste audits in July 2018 showed a 70% reduction in coffee cups, 20% overall waste reduction and a recycling rate increase from 44% to 55%. They reduced paper usage by 152,000 sheets in just 3 months, that’s over 300 reams.

They achieved all of this with no dedicated budget, producing monthly newsletters, recycling tips, videos, articles, sustainable products, images, statistics and reports via email and Yammer. They created posters, held lunch and learn sessions in an effort to create successful change.

Susan Smith and Jenni Walker from Catholic Church Insurance with Port Phillip Deputy Mayor Dick Gross (L-R)

CitySwitch State winners under 2000sqm

 

New South Wales

Steensen Varming - winner

>Steensen Varming

Steensen Varming have done all of the low hanging fruit already, and they’re still actively exploring new ways to improve, and to go beyond their tenancy, working with the building. A high quality submission.

NSW judging panel

Since introducing an organics stream last year, Steensen Varming have identified further ways to improve their holistic waste reduction management strategy. They have implemented a number of initiatives that align with the company philosophy of creating positive environments, identifying a range of items they could eliminate, reusable options, additional recycling streams – they now have 8 - and run a deep engagement program with staff.

The team at Steensen Varming are passionate about not only improving their on performance, but setting an example for other tenancies (both within and outside their building). They say the process has identified office sustainability leaders and created a positive culture within the office where staff continually remind each other to be office champions of sustainability.

Kamisha Goburdhun, Michael Harrold (Associate Director), Tia Simpson, Diksha Vijapur from Steensen Varming, North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson, and Garry Luu from Steensen Varming (L-R)

Designlogic Australia - highly commended

Designlogic Australia

DLO have shown great initiative, getting on with what they can do. Fantastic first steps and they should be commended for taking action, and encouraged to keep monitoring performance and telling their story.

NSW judging panel

Designlogic joined CitySwitch as one of their first sustainability steps, and wanted to change as much as they could and they definitely hit the ground running. The instant game changer was lighting. They retrofitted the existing lights and changed all lights to LEDs. In addition, motion sensors were installed in less used areas of the office. These changes alone made an enormous difference people & cost saving wise, and they say other measures followed quickly – proper recycling possibilities, company branded keep cups, shopping bags to reduce plastic waste, plastic recycling (RED), default black & white printing, electronic waste recycling, reducing the hot water temperature and posting regular Green Fun Facts to staff.

Court Williams from Designlogic with North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson (L-R)


 

South Australia

dsquared Consulting - winner

dsquared Consulting

dsquared’s holistic and persistent approach has resulted in them becoming South Australia’s first NCOS (National Carbon Offsett Standard) carbon neutral certified SME (small to medium sized enterprise) – a huge achievement. Their journey provides a clear roadmap for others to follow and their leadership in this area is highly commendable.

South Australian judging panel

Having already focused on energy efficiency and onsite renewable energy, dsquared Consulting office has achieved a 6 Star NABERS energy rating with GreenPower. Their ongoing commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of their business has led to them becoming South Australia’s first carbon neutral certified small to medium sized business. Dsquared’s journey to becoming carbon neutral has been documented in a detailed case study to assist others.

Paul Davey, Director, and Ken Long, ESD Consultant, dsquared Consulting (L-R)

Cundall - highly commended

Cundall

Cundall’s intelligent and innovative office refurbishment has delivered cost savings, improved wellbeing and inherent carbon emissions reduction, presenting a clear business case for others to follow.

South Australian judging panel

Cundall has achieved: a 5.5 star NABERS tenancy rating (without GreenPower) in a B Grade building. The achievement is a testament to the focus that Cundall has placed on energy efficiency and occupant comfort in the retrofit of their office space. Standout features include a circadian LED lighting solution with great controllability. This delivers an energy intensity of less than 3 watts/m2 and continuous sensor monitoring of indoor environment quality. Cundall’s retrofit has created for their staff a comfortable, healthy, adaptable and stimulating working environment and presents a clear business case for others to follow.

Lewis Hewtown, Senior ESD Consultant, Cundall with Nick Stokoe, Associate, Cundall (L-R)


 

Western Australia

Colliers International

Colliers International

Colliers have been showing excellent leadership for several years now and this award is well deserved. How fantastic to Colliers International influencing sustainability in the Perth market like they do

Western Australian judging panel

Colliers International trialled and pioneered new processes in their own office on behalf of the broader property industry and in doing so, achieve exceptional results. They have achieved a 5 Star NABERS energy rating; are one of two current NABERS indoor environment ratings in the state; and are at the leading edge of office sustainability, encouraging others to follow their example.

Ali Qamar, Direct, Colliers International Perth, Chair Commissioner Eric Lumsden, City of Perth, Patrick Jeannerat, Sustainability Manager, Colliers International (L-R)


 

Victoria

Baenziger Coles

Baenzinger Coles

Baenziger Coles has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement which is an asset to their business and to their clients.

Victorian judging panel

Since joining CitySwitch in 2012 Baenziger Coles have been consistently working towards reducing energy consumption through increasing efficiency and improving behavioural practices. They’ve undertaken rigorous process of analysis and fine tuning in their architecture studio, including relacing lighting, closing unsealed fitting gaps, and optimising HVAC settings combined with 28 roof solar panels to achieve a 5.5 NABERS energy rating.

Sue Coles, Director, Danica Fletcher, and Jamie Servinis from Baenziger Coles

CitySwitch State winners over 2000sqm

 

New South Wales

Commonwealth Bank of Australia - winner

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

CBA continues to demonstrate leadership, and they’re not just doing the easy things. They’re doing harder work now and still achieving tangible results year on year. Excellent monitoring and measuring, and exciting policy commitment and targets. This is where corporate Australia needs to be.

NSW judging panel

CBA set ambitious 57.6% emissions targets to be achieved by 2020, and through a comprehensive, holistic and ongoing efficiency program, sophisticated monitoring, analysis and building tuning, this year CBA has already reached a 52.5% reduction, another 7% since last year. This includes saving 1,855 tonnes CO2-e in their NSW properties, and almost 400,000 dollars.

They’ve backed all of this with science based targets, onsite solar, a Carbon Positive commitment and this month signed on as the first Australian RE100 company, going 100 per cent renewable by 2030. In parallel, they continue developing on-site renewable energy generation capacity, and all new retail branches are being built to minimum 5 star Green Star rating, and they have developed a program to rate all main commercial tenancies for IEQ.

David Bullock and Sanjeet Singh from Commonwealth Bank of Australia with North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson (L-R)

AMP - highly commended

AMP

Leading for innovation of wellness and comfort, with measurements, ongoing testing and experimental floors, as well as very impressive energy and waste savings. AMP show that looking after your people is sustainability.

NSW judging panel

AMP has been committed to reducing their environmental footprint as an organisation, promoting the wellbeing of our employees, contributing to the community. While also delivering 33% reduction in scope 1 + 2 emissions from their 2013 base year, and being carbon neutral since 2013, they have embarked on a comprehensive activity based working refurbishment of workplaces nationally. They deliberately put people at the heart of their design philosophy to ensure workplaces support high performing people, deliver operational savings and create advocacy for talent attraction and retention.

Each project has involved iterative spatial, technological and behavioural improvements in the design, delivery and operation of their workplaces. Using recognised industry frameworks such as Green Star, WELL, Fitwel and NABERS, they are delivering great environmental and wellbeing outcomes.

Tom Treffry from AMP with North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson (L-R)


 

South Australia

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

CBA have a strong commitment to reducing emissions across all operations having achieved 2.3 tCO2/FTE nationally (for Scope 1 and 2 emissions). Their ongoing commitment in their South Australian office has resulted in an improvement in their NABERS rating from 4.0 to 4.25 over the past year

South Australian judging panel

Setting ambitious targets back in 2015 the Commonwealth Bank is now realising the delivery of their 2020 Property Sustainability Strategy. Their comprehensive energy and carbon reduction strategy is delivering impressive results. To-date they have achieved a national average of 2.3 tonnes of carbon per full time employee. This is a reduction of over 50% in emissions from their 2009 baseline.

Sanjeet Singh, Property Sustainability Manager and Camille Rose, Client Services Coordinator, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (L-R)


 

Western Australia

TSA Group

TSA Group

A second award in less than a year and a half in CitySwitch – TSA have grasped CitySwitch and sustainability with both hands. TSA have covered all bases: energy, waste and healthy buildings. Can’t wait to see what’s next for them

Western Australian judging panel

The TSA Group has demonstrated that sustainability doesn’t have to be hard to implement. They’ve addressed energy, waste and healthy buildings elements with very impressive results. In engaging with the healthy buildings campaign, they reduced unplanned absences by $20,000 a month and increased productivity by $30,000 a month. In engaging with specialist consultants, they have reduced energy use and improved air quality. And in just stopping to think what makes sense, they asked their cleaners to attend earlier in the evening, so they can turn lights off earlier at night to save energy.

Best of all, their enthusiasm for sustainability is infectious. For their second award in just over twelve months as a signatory, the Signatory of the Year Over 2,000 square metres goes to TSA Group.

Chair Commissioner Eric Lumsden, City of Perth with Francis Stockwell, National Facilities Manager, TSA Group (L-R)


 

Victoria

First State Super

First State Super

First State Super's War on Waste featured a strong staff communications campaign and well utilised online platform. Incredible result and a very deserving winner.

VIC Judging Panel

On 19 February 2018 the First State Super Sustainability Council launched their first War on Waste challenge to educate and encourage staff to reduce office waste. As part of this challenge they asked all 500+ employees to make a pledge to undertake a sustainable action and commit for at least 6 weeks. They then ran a detailed and comprehensive engagement campaign, 366 pledges made, 220 keep cups provided to staff, 10,443kg CO2 reduction, a 41% reduction in disposable coffee cup waste, 136 employees completed the online sustainability training and 141 sustainability reward cards were sent via peer to peer recognition.

Frist state say that this project has significantly raised awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability in the workplace. There is a noticeable and visible ongoing effect with most employees continuing to use keep cups long after the campaign ended and continuing to encourage others to do so. They are now preparing for our second War on Waste initiative “Rethink the print” which was an idea suggested to the council from our Head of Technology.

Zoe Heath and Tim Mayberry from First State Super

CitySwitch State partnership winners

 

New South Wales

Fujitsu Australia and The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage

Fujitsu Australia The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage

An impressive project with an exciting outcome, and we love the potential application of digital owl to other problems in the future, and around world. Great public-private partnership! This project stands out as real innovation; it goes beyond using existing tools.

NSW judging panel

Fujitsu’s Digital Owl project collects population data on endangered plant species within the NSW region, using drones equipped with high tech cameras to survey large areas and video analytics and artificial intelligence. The innovative use of technology saves time, costs and fuel and emissions of helicopter observations.

A trial in remote bushland had excellent accuracy levels and resulted in successful identification of two endangered plant species feared to be facing extinction, but were found growing in the wild.

Blaise Porter and Lee Stewart from Fujitsu Australia with North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson (L-R)


 

South Australia

Knight Frank

Knight Frank

Knight Frank has shown leadership in the commercial property sector in undertaking the NABERS Co-Assess pilot in South Australia. The level of tenant engagement was impressive, with 15 out of 17 tenancies participating, forming the foundation for vertical community. The project paves the way for continued uptake of Co-Assess in South Australian commercial buildings.

State judging panel

Knight Frank and tenants of Westpac House participated in the national NABERS Co-Assess pilot, making it the most successful building in the national pilot.For the 17 out of 19 tenants in Westpac House, it meant that they had achieved an accredited NABERS energy rating for their tenancy. Tenants were also provided with CitySwitch Beginner Guide packs to encourage other sustainable office practices.

Nick Mavropsi, Partner and Head of Sustainability, and David Low, Senior Facilities Manager, Knight Frank (L-R)


 

Western Australia

Cleandustrial Services

Cleandustrial ServicesAll Saints' College

What could be more important than improving our school buildings to ensure the health of our kids. It is inspiring to see a partnership like this one achieving healthier environments for learning in schools

State judging panel

Cleandustrial Services engaged with CitySwitch’s drive to create buildings that are healthier for people. Partnering with All Saints College, AbcoPro and ProMicro, Cleandustial Service created a cleaner and less toxic environment for school students through careful research and innovation in cleaning products.

Chair Commissioner Eric Lumsden, City of Perth with Tammy Vladich, General Manager at Cleandustrial Services (L-R)


 

Victoria

Melbourne Renewable Energy Project

Melbourne Renewable Energy ProjectPacific Hydro

MREP is a really innovative use of Public-Private Partnerships across a large number of quite different organisations, and it’s impressive in its scale of ambition and documentation of outcomes.

National judging panel

The Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP) is a catalyst for changing electricity procurement, acting on climate change and driving investment in renewable energy. The MREP marks the first time that a partnership of 14 organisations from a range of sectors - local governments, cultural institutions, universities and corporations – have collectively purchased renewable energy from a newly built facility.

The MREP partners have committed to purchasing 88 GWh of renewable energy under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). The agreement enables Pacific Hydro to progress financing and construction of a new wind farm at Crowlands, a small agricultural community, north of Ararat in western region of Victoria.

  • City of Port Phillip
  • Pacific Hydro
  • NAB
  • Australia Post
  • Zoos Victoria
  • Bank Australia
  • RMIT University
  • Moreland City Council
  • Citywide
  • Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • City of Yarra
  • NEXTDC
  • The University of
  • Fed Square
  • Tango

CitySwitch State new signatories winners

 

New South Wales

Stylecraft

Stylecraft

Great example of a company working with the building manager and other tenants, looking outside their tenancy to where they can have a bigger impact, that’s really good to see.

NSW judging panel

Over the past year, Stylecraft have tasked themselves with creating positive change and engagement within their own company, as well as for clients and suppliers. Their actions include the a range of strategic targets and projects, and over the past year Stylecraft have worked with the Building Operations Manager & Waste Contractors to successfully introduce co-mingled recycling bins for glass & plastics not just in their own tenancy, but on all 24 levels of their building.

They also became a signatory to CitySwitch, to the United Nations Global Compact, Participation in Clean Up Australia Day, and carried out a range of staff and customer activities.

Jacqui Warner from Stylecraft with North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson (L-R)


 

South Australia

Oxigen

Oxigen

Oxigen are specialists in sustainable design, and their office design shows that they truly practice what they preach. A clear vision, incorporating all aspects of sustainable design with a real focus on community engagement and staff wellbeing has resulted in a beautiful, energy efficient, high performing workspace.

South Australian judging panel

Oxigen is a landscape architecture firm on Halifax Street. Oxigen’s Adelaide office visibly demonstrates sustainable behaviours and a sustainable design approach. Features included smart building material choices, cross ventilation, natural lighting and LEDs, underfloor heating, enhancement of the existing streetscape and both rooftop and vertical gardens. These resulted in lower maintenance, lower energy costs, comfortable and engaging work environments and an increase in staff health, wellbeing and efficiency. The space has become an incubator for sustainable design outcomes.

James Butterworth, Landscape Architect and Urban Planner, Oxigen


 

Victoria

Catholic Church Insurance

Catholic Church Insurance

Great programs and engagement from across the busienss has resulted in success. Extra credit for the innovative IT sale which has benefited charity

Victorian judging panel

CCI established the Green Team in early 2018 and determined that printing and waste reduction were the principal concerns. They developed campaigns to educate and communicate staff and their second round of waste audits in July 2018 showed a 70% reduction in coffee cups, 20% overall waste reduction and a recycling rate increase from 44% to 55%. They reduced paper usage by 152,000 sheets in just 3 months, that’s over 300 reams.

They achieved all of this with no dedicated budget, producing monthly newsletters, recycling tips, videos, articles, sustainable products, images, statistics and reports via email and Yammer. They created posters, held lunch and learn sessions in an effort to create successful change.

Melanie Evans, Susan Smith, and Paul Wyer from Catholic Church Insurance