Why This Debate Matters in 2025 Corporate net‑zero pledges are booming, but not all carbon reductions are treated equally. Green Star Buildings v1.1—Australia’s leading sustainability rating—prioritises on‑site abatement over carbon offsets and sets strict eligibility rules for both upfront (embodied) and operational emissions. Misunderstand them and you risk losing up to 10 rating Read more…
Why Conversions Are Booming in 2025 CBD office vacancies are hovering around 14 %, while Australia’s housing shortfall exceeds 175,000 dwellings. Converting surplus office stock into apartments can be 20–40 % faster than new builds and saves up to 65 % of upfront embodied carbon—but only if you nail the ESD fundamentals. Regulatory Snapshot Read more…
Why Heat‑Island Mitigation Matters in 2025 Australian cities are warming 4–7 °C faster than their rural surrounds. NCC 2025 and many local councils now require urban heat‑island (UHI) mitigation plans for large developments. Green Star Buildings v1.1 offers up to 4 points for reducing hard‑surface temperatures by 5 °C—making climate‑positive landscaping both an environmental and Read more…
Why WSUD Is No Longer Optional Extreme rainfall events are rising by 11 % per degree of warming, and every state planning scheme now mandates on‑site storm‑water quality targets (e.g., 45 % reduction in total nitrogen in Victoria’s BPEM). Smart WSUD can also unlock Green Star ‘Water’ points and council fast‑track approvals. Top Read more…
Why This Comparison Matters Since the NCC 2022 update lifted the minimum thermal‑comfort requirement for new dwellings to the NatHERS 7‑star level, many homeowners and developers are asking whether it’s worth stretching to full Passive House certification. Both promise ultra‑low energy bills and healthier indoor environments—but the cash flows look different. Read more…
Designing net‑zero commercial buildings in Australia? Follow our 7‑step roadmap aligned with NCC 2025 to cut carbon, boost ROI and secure Green Star certification.
What Is Embodied Carbon & Why It Rivals Operational Emissions Embodied carbon is the CO₂ emitted to mine, manufacture and transport building materials plus end‑of‑life impacts. For new Australian buildings it already equals 10–20 years of operational emissions.citeturn0search1 The Australian Baseline Infrastructure Australia forecasts 37–64 Mt CO₂e of upfront embodied carbon annually through Read more…
Why Condensation Risk Is Rising Tighter, better‑insulated buildings slash energy bills—but they also trap moisture. Nationwide insurance data shows condensation‑related claims up 38 % since 2018, and CSIRO research links hidden mould to a 28 % rise in asthma flare‑ups. NCC 2025 responds with the most stringent moisture‑control provisions Australia has seen. NCC 2025: Read more…
