16 Apr 2026
It would be remiss of me to start this without addressing the overwhelming uncertainty that is our current global context. Skyrocketing fuel prices are adding pressure to the economy and flow on effects are showing us that the built environment is far from immune to these external pressures. Beyond that are the direct, everyday impacts on people across Australia – particularly in underserved communities. We need to keep finding ways to manage and mitigate the rising costs of construction and supply chain uncertainty, as well as the increasing costs of living, wherever we can.
I take comfort in the fact that the people in the built environment sector offer a constant source of solutions and encouragement
I witnessed this firsthand at TRANSFORM, GBCA’s annual conference held in March, where we heard from countless inspiring individuals from around Australia, and the world, about how we can continue to learn, innovate, and most importantly, act, to keep us moving in a positive direction. I was also fortunate to join the recent Danish State visit for a day of touring and discussing green buildings, energy-efficient urban development and Danish-Australian collaboration.
While some of the ideas and initiatives are new, some of the solutions are things we’ve been talking about for years, they’ve just continued to develop and gain proof points along the way – such as energy efficiency and electrification, which if implemented at scale, will help shield us from future energy shocks. Another is government leadership which helps to turn today’s innovation into tomorrow’s industry norms – two amazing council projects from Maribyrnong City Council and City of Port Adelaide Enfield have recently tied in achieving the second-ever Green Star Buildings certifications. And some ideas are ancient and safeguarded by Indigenous people around the world, such as building with nature and within the planet’s means, we just need new ways to help industry to see the path forward.
While I will be the first to admit that things feel complex and overwhelming right now, solutions and inspiration are all around us, from the simple, familiar and local to a mission around the moon. Victor Glover, Pilot on Artemis II, reminded us why we need to keep looking for the lessons and actions, large and small, that keep us moving towards a sustainable and thriving future.
“In all of this emptiness — this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe — you have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist (in) together."
Doing data centres better
Australia’s first data centre was built in 2007, but in the past couple of years the speed and scale of development of this sector has been increasing exponentially. GBCA has announced its first Sustainable Data Centres program in partnership with Data Centres Australia, to explore what best practice sustainability outcomes in the design, construction, and operation of data centres in Australia could look like. The Australian Government has released a set of expectations for data centre developers, while the NSW Parliament has held an inquiry in data centres and NSW Government has opened consultation on a set of principles to guide data centre investment.
See GBCA submission to NSW inquiry here
Advice for NSW Net Zero Plan reflects central role of built environment
NSW’s Net Zero Commission has provided advice to inform the NSW Government’s Net Zero Plan to 2035. The advice identifies four priorities for the development of the Plan, including accelerating the electricity transition, incentivising electrification across transport, industry and buildings, and phasing down refrigerants. Last week GBCA participated in a roundtable with Minister Penny Sharpe on the next NSW net zero plan.
See GBCA’s response here
Insulating Victorian homes
The Victorian Energy Upgrades program has launched support for ceiling insulation to reduce household energy bills and emissions. The activity will begin with a targeted rollout to public and community housing. From 1 October 2026, it will expand to all eligible Victorian homes with no or low ceiling insulation. Upgrades can deliver average energy bill savings of around $418 per year, up to $887 in avoided health costs, and cut emissions by approximately 0.9 tonnes per household.
Find out more here
Implementing NCC 2025
Four states have now announced that they will adopt National Construction Code (NCC) 2025. In Victoria, NCC 2025 will be live from May 2026 with ACT, Queensland and NSW adopting the updated version of the NCC from May 2027.
See more here
Infrastructure to enable the net zero transition
GBCA welcomes the strong emphasis on the transition to net zero and climate resilience in the Infrastructure Priority List released by Infrastructure Australia in March. The list identifies nationally significant infrastructure priorities over the next decade, including investment in clean energy, sustainable water systems and high-capacity transport to support Australia’s growing cities.
National
State
Joint media release: Canberra's third community battery powers up | Ministers
Tasmanian container refund scheme marks mammoth return - Inside State Government
Sustainable Household scheme reaches new milestones - Our Canberra
Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund Round 6 | Sustainability Victoria
Local
City of Casey's Rebately | Home
Energy Savers – Local Government Program
New era of recycling begins in Parramatta - Inside Local Government
City of Melville receives IPWEA sustainability honour - Inside Local Government