13 Dec 2016
What a year it's been in government shaping our environmental future. In line with COP21 in Paris we've seen commitment to sustainable change bolstered on a local level as the NSW Government actions the Climate Change Policy Framework. The Carbon Neutral Adelaide Action Plan, Sustainability Victoria supporting energy efficient office buildings marks another win, while the industry has held its breath as the Australian Government generates a further round of political controversy with Terms of Reference for its Climate Change Review. We welcome a year of change in 2017 with fresh opportunities for GBCA leadership in the new year.
With 24 Green Star – Community certified projects taking shape across the country, we’ve been busy working with the Government Land Organisations and Partners who brought the Green Star – Communities rating tool to life in 2012.
We’re gunning for this number to grow, which is why we hosted a forum in November to map out the policy landscape, the challenges and learnings from Green Star-certified projects and discussion on where to next for the rating tool.
Representatives from Renewal SA, Riverview Developments and Landcorp presented on their Green Star case studies from around Australia, we explored the conditions for successful projects and our CEO Romilly Madew engaged with participants to garner feedback on the current framework.
We also heard from Places Victoria, City of Melbourne and Frasers Property Australia on tomorrow’s policy landscape.
All will be revealed in a summary report due for released in 2017 and following on from its success, the forum is likely to make a welcome return next year.
Stay up to speed with our five core Policy Priorities drawn from our new Strategic Plan 2016-2017. We are excited to be advancing these with parliaments and government agencies across Australia in the months ahead.
This year we’ve ticked off nine government Green Star certifications and 12 government Green Star registrations.
As Australia’s population is forecast to grow to over 40 million by 2060, we will continue to work alongside all levels of government and industry to grow the number of Green Star projects across homes, workplaces, schools and hospitals. We will also continue to work with governments to develop policies that deliver greater Green Star outcomes.
The shape of our built environment must change to meet this demand – but we must build smarter and more sustainably.
Australia’s cities are regularly named among the world’s most liveable – but we can do more to position our cities to thrive in the new global economy.
In November, the Hon Angus Taylor MP, Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation, along with Sarah Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Sydney Commission and Andrew Whitson, Group Executive and CEO Residential, Stockland provided their thoughts at the Stockland sponsored ‘Australian Cities from liveability to lovability’ luncheon.
According to Minister Taylor, City Deals will encourage state and local governments to share goals to innovate on building design and design of spaces, reduce urban heat and noise, use public transport to reduce emissions and improve liveability.
For Sarah Hill, the perception of safety is one of the growing concerns for the Greater Sydney Commission. It’s about creating communities and places, not just housing – or a “grid of green and blue places,” she said.
Andrew Whitson underscored the nexus between housing supply and affordability. He argued that we are not zoning enough land or urban renewal areas to meet demand, and without addressing supply home ownership for future generations will be unattainable.
We are pleased with the commitment from the federal government to a National Cities Performance Framework to deliver more productive, resilient, sustainable and liveable communities across Australia, as well as the announcement of the formation of a Cities Reference Group to assist with inquiries on City Deals.