Building Futures helps strata buildings slash costs and emissions

27 May 2019

Building Futures helps strata buildings slash costs and emissions

Read about Building Futures in The Fifth Estate and City Hub.

Waverley Council has launched round two of its Building Futures program to help a further 10 strata buildings in Waverley save thousands in energy and water costs, by providing support from start to finish.

It comes off the back of the success of round one which saw 10 apartment buildings in Bondi Junction aim to save an average of 20% off their common area energy usage and reduce operating costs by tens of thousands of dollars.

Building Futures is a free building efficiency and retrofit program launched by Council in May 2018 to help selected apartment buildings easily identify and implement cost-saving solutions to reduce operating costs, common area energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and improve waste management.

It originated from Council’s Green Infrastructure Master Plan which maps a sustainable future for Bondi Junction by identifying low carbon, energy efficient, sustainable water and waste management solutions for new and existing buildings as well as the streetscape. It has now been expanded to other areas in Waverley.

Mayor of Waverley, John Wakefield, said Council is in a prime position to support local building owners in their goals for more carbon-friendly and budget-friendly buildings especially where related incentives for apartment buildings fall short.

“This is first time we have included buildings from other parts of Waverley, and I congratulate our new participating buildings who will work towards a shared energy goal of reduced common property energy by 20%,” Mayor Wakefield said.

Council is also working to reduce its own carbon footprint by embedding sustainability into its own business practices and making sustainability ‘second nature’ in the community.

“We have already completed energy efficiency upgrades, installed solar and constructed raingardens for its own facilities,” Mayor Wakefield said.

The apartment buildings participating in round two from now until June 2020 are:

• 151° East, Bondi
• The Eclipse, Bondi Junction
• Oceanview Apartments, Bronte
• The Forum, Bondi Junction
• AquaBondi Junction
• Crestview, Bondi
• 212 Bondi Road, Bondi
• 29 Newland Street, Bondi Junction
• Penkivil Gardens, Bondi
• The Duke, Bondi

Round one participants included Eastgate Gardens, The Palisades, ParkSun Apartments, The Oscar on Hollywood, The Crown, The Stanford, Vue Apartments, Trevilion, Capitol and Spring Street Apartments.

Projects typically include efficiency lighting retrofits and cost-effective carpark carbon monoxide monitoring and ventilation solutions. On average, buildings are expected to save more than $10,000 each year on their electricity bills with a payback period of around 2.5 years, with some projects paying off in as little as a few months. The implemented projects will deliver an estimated carbon emission reduction of 535 tonnes per year.

Each participant building receives free expert energy assessments, costed upgrade recommendations, matched funding for upgrades and support to implement the changes. Training and networking opportunities, awards and recognition are also provided.

For more, visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/buildingfutures.