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Official magazine of the Facility Management Association of Australia Ltd Print Post Approved 340742 00155 $9.

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facility
Volume 1 Number 2 June 2007 integrating people – process – place

Greening the Future


Role of the built environment
Project Management’s work in progress
Global FM: Interview with Stan Mitchell
Measures & Services

Ernst & Young – Watching the Clock:


Countdown to Water reform ideaction 2007
Planning & Infrastructure: Innovation, inspiration
Sustainable Sydney 2030
and celebration
FM Lead Story: SAM @ UNE

Book review
Scorcher: The Dirty Politics of Climate Change
ADVERTORIAL

Open
warfare
Supporters of open building
automation standards should
themselves remain open as the
two main protocols overlap,
writes Simon James.

O
pen protocols were conceived as part of an end user Achieving an environment that mixes both protocols,
backlash against the proprietary building however, is still a fairly complex task. As the overlap in
automation and control systems that were standards becomes more pronounced, the willingness of
traditionally a staple of the market. In the past, if a vendors to support both protocols, either separately or
customer wanted to expand or change their together, will become increasingly important from a future-
building systems, they were typically locked into using the proofing perspective. The same vendor’s ability to provide
original supplier of the control system. The rationale for systems integration and consultancy support may also prove
developing open protocols was to prevent this ‘lock-in’ by advantageous in the long term, particularly as the need for
allowing users the ability to ‘mix and match’ products from integrated LonWorks and BACnet environments increases.
different vendors and easily integrate them for management HOW THE STANDARDS EVOLVED
purposes. LonWorks is the control networking technology platform
Today, most organisations are aligned with one of two key developed by Echelon Corporation. In 1994, Echelon also
open protocols for automation and control – LonWorks or created LonMark – a governing body with a set of guidelines
BACnet. The decision to go down either path can be dependent and strict testing process to certify the interoperability of
on a number of factors – for example, the level of integration LonWorks-based solutions from multiple manufacturers – a
required in a particular room or zone, the factory-standard critical element to ensure the platform can act as a global
controls provided with the building equipment, and future open standard. LonWorks is generally considered the best
solution for device-level connectivity – for example, enabling
building expansion plans. However, the alignment of the
the controller that modulates the damper for airflow in a
consulting engineer to the project is just as likely to be a key
particular room to ‘communicate’ locally with a lighting
influence. controller from another manufacturer.
The trend for open protocols in recent months is one of overlap The American Society for Heating Refrigeration and Air
and convergence. LonWorks, which derives its strength from Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) developed the other open
device-to-device integration, is moving upmarket at a time protocol, BACnet, starting in 1987 and finishing almost a
when open rival, BACnet, known in the high-level system-to- decade later— initially as an enabler for system-to-system
system integration space, is executing a “top-down” approach. integration. The protocol has since evolved to be included in
The resulting overlap in capabilities means it is now possible control devices as well. ‘Native BACnet’ solutions are often
for organisations to have a perfectly functional end-to-end promoted as the only true open standards by followers, based
automation and control system using either protocol. on the protocol’s development origins from within an ASHRAE
ADVERTORIAL

industry group as opposed to coming from a private company.


The argument does not appear to have negatively affected
sales of LonWorks controllers globally, which so far outnumber
BACnet-based solutions. In saying that, BACnet can boast a
relatively strong following among government and higher
education organisations, based on its status as a more openly
developed protocol and broad acceptance within the academic
and consulting engineer fraternities.
It is currently not possible for LonWorks and BACnet platforms
to interoperate without a gateway device that converts one
protocol to the other. It is technically possible for either a
BACnet or LonWorks device to share a common LonTalk bus to
transport messages using their separate control languages (in
the same way the devices can communicate over Ethernet)
although, in practice, this is rarely done.
DECISIVE FACTORS FOR OPEN ADOPTION
As the standards continue to evolve, interoperability is likely to
become a key issue. Manufacturers, systems integrators and
other professional services firms that remain open to both
protocols rather than aligning with either camp will likely
have a natural advantage over competitors who do not
embrace the relevant standards.
A key factor in any successful building system
implementation is a trained and knowledgeable vendor to
design the system, write the applications and make the right
technology choices to enable efficient operation and
maintenance, while accommodating future expansion needs.
While a LonWorks only or BACnet only based solution can
work, adherence to a single protocol can create increased
complexity and cost, particularly from a long-term
maintenance and future expansion perspective.
Emerging standards such as Open Building Information
exchange (oBIX) – a protocol for exchanging building
information using XML (therefore making it more consistent
with Information Technology standards) – further justifies the
need to choose a platform with multi-protocol support. These
types of solutions will prove far more cost-effective over the
life of the building system than those that work with a single
protocol.
MAKING TOP-TIER CONTROL ACCESSIBLE
One of the key benefits of open standards is that they have
essentially commoditised the automation and control systems
market. Cheaper electronics, together with the number of
providers with open standards-based solutions, has levelled
the playing field both in terms of upfront purchase costs and
the functionality manufacturers are able to build into their
devices.
While there is little doubt integration and interoperability
have improved with the advent of open standards, anecdotal
evidence suggests that less than 20 per cent of the commercial
building market has embraced the concept to create a true
multi-vendor environment. In reality, up to 80 per cent of
organisations – and maybe more – still buy most of their
equipment from one vendor. The recent trend away from best-
of-breed ‘point’ solution-based environments to end-to-end,
single vendor platforms means this trend may continue for
some time.
Ultimately open protocol-based devices have benefited the
market as a whole. The next challenge – and opportunity – for
systems integrators in the space will be ensuring they have
the ability to offer either BACnet or LonWorks-based devices or
a ‘best of both worlds’ type approach, tailored to the
ABOVE: Comforpoint product
customer’s requirements. At the same time, organisations
family – an example of a BACNet
Compliant HVAC controller currently participating in tender processes should ensure the
systems integrator or service provider they select has the
flexibility to offer multiple control options to ensure the
system provided today can scale to meet any future needs in
this space.
an open book

The right Building Management tools can’t be


found in a text book.

Honeywell believes that each business is unique so the


systems and processes you use should reflect that.
Honeywell introduces ComfortPoint — a BACnet-based
building control system that’s simple to use, yet is
sophisticated enough to seamlessly integrate a wide range
of applications and control components so that you won’t need to worry about it. Whether
you are working with a new construction project or planning a retrofit for an older building,
ComfortPoint’s Open Systems Technology is your ultimate choice in achieving an efficient
and reliable automation system. Book an appointment with Honeywell’s experts today to find
out more about how ComfortPoint can make your operations as easy as A-B-C.

For more information, contact Honeywell Building Solutions


at (02) 9353 7807 or customeradvocate@honeywell.com
or visit www.honeywell.com.au/hbs
© 2007 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved
IN THIS ISSUE
facility
integrating people – process – place

Cover Story
18 Greening the Future and the role of the Built Environment
By Facility Perspectives Melanie Drummond.
The blunt truth about the politics of climate change is that no country will want to sacrifice
its economy in order to meet this challenge, but all economies know that the only sensible
long term way of developing is to do it on a sustainable basis. – Tony Blair

Regulars
4 Editors Comment 6 FMA Chairman’s Address 8 FMA CEO’s Address
10 FMA Calendar 12 Fast Facts & News
50 FM ACTION AGENDA Stephen Ballesty
52 ESD & THE ENVIRONMENT Preparing for the perfect storm – The Australian Climate Data Bank Project.
63 ESSENTIAL SAFETY MEASURES Building Update
66 FM LEAD STORY SAM at University of New England
70 LEGAL & COMPLIANCE Major initiatives in Waste Management, and Victoria’s new Charter of Human Rights
80 PEOPLE 15 Minutes of FM Fame – Jan Biggs FM, Merrill Lynch (Australia)

Features
20 COVER STORY Greening the Future and the role of the Built Environment
Going Green Today. Case Studies: 500 Collins St, Solson Place and Deakin University Geelong Campus.
42 EVENTS FMA Australia ideaction 2007 Conference Report
Three perspectives on ideaction 2007
The FMA Australia FM Excellence Awards and Branch Awards
Gala Night Picture Montage
56 GLOBAL FM: Interview with Stan Mitchell.
Having implemented their organisation and governance principles, Max Winter spoke to Global FM’s Stan Mitchell about the next
step in the process.
58 PROJECT MANAGEMENT: The changing Face of Project Management
Huge strides have been made in providing the tools necessary for Project Management, but as Facility Perspectives Melanie
Drummond found out, skills shortages are not unique to Facilities Management.
Case Study: Eureka Tower
72 PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE: The Sydney 2030 Plan
How will the City of Sydney become sustainable by 2030? WinterComms Sydney correspondent, Marie Giessler reports on an
AIRAH sponsored forum outlining the City of Sydney’s plan for Sustainable Sydney 2030.
74 PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE 2: Watching the Clock: Countdown to Water Reform.
One of six articles in Ernst & Young’s 2007 edition of Business Agenda, Watching the Clock: Countdown to Water Reform
reminds us the scarcity of this precious resource – best described as belonging to everyone, and yet no-one – is foremost on
everyone’s minds.
78 BOOK REVIEW: Scorcher: The Dirty Politics of Climate Change by Clive Hamilton.
Book Review by Susan Keck WinterComms Director Instructional Design & Research

Sponsored Industry Profiles


13 The Dynalite Philosophy
24 New Artoleum – Nature inspired eco-floring from Forbo
28 Green Air Handling Units aim for the stars
30 Intelligent Daylight Harvesting
32 Visy Recycling – Green office tips
40 Lamp Recycling – The responsible thing to do

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 3
EDITORS COMMENTS

ideaction 2007 –
An Event to Level 6, 313 La Trobe Street

Remember Melbourne VIC 3000


Tel: 03 8641 6666
Fax: 03 9640 0374
Email: info@fma.com.au
MAX WINTER Web: www.fma.com.au

FMA Australia’s ideaction 2007 certainly lived up to its name Front Cover:
Larry Pitt Photography
this year with an agenda jam-packed with site visits, Tel: 0408 727 006
networking events, informative keynotes and challenging
Published by:
panel sessions, plenary and concurrent sessions.

F
rom a strategic viewpoint, the stand-out information system that supports the BIM. ABN 30 007 224 204
session for me was CEO of the Property Excited? You should be. In essence it is a
Council of Australia Peter Verwer’s complete Building Information Model that covers Editor-in-Chief: Ric Navarro
vision of the Building Information Model the entire life cycle of a building, and an Layout + Design: Anthony Costin
(BIM) as being the quantum leap forward in invaluable tool that removes the information National Sales Manager: Phil Haratsis
enhancing facility management’s value in the barriers that currently exist between the 430 William Street
Boardroom and toward organisational different disciplines involved in the life of a Melbourne VIC 3000
objectives. building, represented visually, with all the Tel: 03 9274 4201
This viewpoint reinforced the outcomes of information you would need, at hand. Fax: 03 9329 5295
the FM Action Agenda FM Exemplar Project: Facility managers would be able to optimise Email: media@executivemedia.com.au
Sydney Opera House, and the collaborative their procurement processes, their Web: www.executivemedia.com.au
industry and government team led by CRC for maintenance requirements and contractor Offices also in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide
Construction Innovation, this year’s winner of relations, they would not lose time looking for
the FMA Australia - Rider Hunt Terotech Industry Architectural plans, and As-Builts, they would be Editorial: WinterComms
Achievement Award. able to do performance benchmarking internally Director & Editor: Max Winter
Of the three research streams of and externally, and most of all, they would be National Communications Manager:
Performance Benchmarking, Services able to provide all the information needed to Melanie Drummond
Procurement and Digital Modelling, Verwer made present their cases for their predictive WinterComms Sydney Correspondent:
particular mention of the Digital Modelling maintenance budgets and forward facilities Marie Geissler, Geissler Communications
stream which concerned the Building management planning. Editorial enquiries
Information Model (BIM) and interoperability. In short they would have all the information Tel: 02 4471 1252 or 03 8417 6577
BIM is an integrated 3D digital description of needed to optimise their portfolios and add real E: mrwinter@netspace.net.au
a building, its site and related Geographic (and statistically acknowledged) value to the
Information System (GIS) context. A BIM is Board. This is what Peter Verwer was excited Stock Images: Photo Disc, Jupiter Images,
comprised of individual building, site or GIS about. Digital Vision, Creatas
objects, (supported by accurate geometry and Is the process of digitising information
represented visually), with attributes that currently held in hard copy or microfiche Printed by Superprint Pty Ltd
define their detailed description, and costly? Yes it is, but industry organisations
The editor, publisher, printer and their staff and agents are not
relationships that specify the nature of the everywhere are biting the bullet incrementally responsible for the accuracy or correctness of the text of
context with other objects.* and taking the first tentative steps into contributions contained in this publication or for the
If you can picture a building represented 3- software-enabling their space, maintenance and consequences of any use made of the products, and the
dimensionally, placed in context of its compliance management processes (read the information referred to in this publication. The editor, publisher,
printer and their staff and agents expressly disclaim all liability
surroundings with each of the building’s FM lead story in this issue as an example), and
of whatsoever nature for any consequences arising from any
components complete costing, life-cycle and reaping the rewards. errors or omissions contained in this publication whether
maintenance history listed, including their The BIM with interoperability, as outlined in caused to a purchaser of this publication or otherwise. The
hierarchy in relation to other building the first and second reports of the FM Action views expressed in the articles and other material published
components, you will get the idea. Agenda FM Exemplar Project: Sydney Opera herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor and
publisher or their staff or agents. The responsibility for the
Secondly, that the BIM is supported by House is the next step. accuracy of information is that of the individual contributors
interoperability through Industry Foundation *quoted from Adopting BIM for facilities and neither the publisher or editors can accept responsibility for
Classes (IFC). This means (very roughly) that management. Go to the FM Action Agenda the accuracy of information which is supplied by others. It is
they have developed a software shell into which website at www.fmactionagenda.org or the CRC impossible for the publisher and editors to ensure that the
advertisements and other material herein comply with the Trade
all sorts of compliant software from all the for Construction Innovation website at Practices Act 1974 (Cth). Readers should make their own
Architectural, Engineering, Construction and http://www.construction-innovation.info/ for inquiries in making any decisions, and where necessary, seek
Facilities Management industry sectors can be more details on the reports. professional advice.
placed and with minimum tweaking, they can Max Winter All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part, without
be seamlessly integrated into one cohesive Editor – Facility Perspectives written permission is strictly prohibited. © 2007 Executive
Media.
ISSN 1834 6375
FMA CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS

News from
Photography: Melbourne Headshot Co.

Andrew McEwan
ANDREW MCEWAN
Chairman – FMA Australia

T
hank you to all our FMA Australia As a national organisation we would not u sustainability in FM and how smart FM
members and readers of Facility exist if not for the hard work from all our can meaningfully contribute to
Perspectives for the overwhelming branches. It is a highlight for each chairman to environmental, social, financial and
response to the first edition of this award the FMA Australia Recognition Awards and economic sustainability
magazine. I would like to congratulate the following u providing greater opportunities for
It was very pleasing to receive such positive winners: knowledge and skill growth with a
feedback from the advertisers, members and priority focus on addressing the ever
subscribers. FMA Australia is very proud of the u Branch Committee Member of the Year increasing skill shortage
new look magazine with a format that will Western Australia – Renae Loftus u addressing the impact of our ageing
continue to reflect the innovation and evolution u Branch Committee Member of the Year ACT infrastructure
of our industry. – Ami Sudjiman u the increased need for security in our
I have just returned from ideaction 2007 u Branch Committee Member of the Year iconic and commercial buildings, and
and as you will see depicted in this edition we Victoria – Derek Wilson u being able to productively contribute to
experienced many memorable moments u Branch Committee Member of the Year the vibrancy and function of urban
through the enjoyment of our social functions NSW – Christine Kelly communities into the future through
and through the value presented by the u Branch Committee Member of the Year integrated facility and urban design.
outstanding presentations. Thank you to all our Queensland – Lex Dewar Many of these issues were addressed
presenters and I would like to especially thank u Branch of the Year – Victoria during ideaction but should continue to be on
our Platinum Sponsor ISS Facility Services and u Corporate Supporter of the Year – GJK our radar and through FMA Australia’s
all our other supporters and exhibitors, who Facilities Services Professional Development series, our Special
ensured with their involvement, that this u Member of the Year – Stephen Ballesty Interest Groups and through our other state
conference would provide a valuable and activities. We, as a board, look forward to
memorable experience. We have featured ideaction 2007 in this meeting the challenges of these topics and
A special thank you to all our delegates who edition and I encourage you to read the review others over the coming months.
travelled to Sydney and I look forward to on this year’s conference, and pre schedule Enjoy this edition and, again, don’t hesitate
receiving the final evaluation reports on your your extended holiday next May on the Gold to let us know your thoughts on this magazine
thoughts of the conference, after all ideaction is Coast. or any issues in general.
run for our members and industry practitioners It is important for the board and
and your feedback is very important to assist membership to continue to focus on emerging Regards
us with our planning. issues that face the FM industry such as: Andrew McEwen – Chairman
FMA Australia’s Awards for Excellence are
designed to recognise our members who have
excelled in these categories. Again this year the
nominations were of a high calibre and the
judging panel had a difficult job. Our
congratulations to the following winners:

u FMA Australia and Transfield Services


Environmental Achievement Award
Air Con Serve Pty Ltd
u FMA Australia and Rider Hunt Terotech
Industry Achievement Award
Cooperative Research Centre for
Construction Innovation
u FMA Australia and Programmed
Maintenance Services Facility Manager of
the Year Award
Frank Riley – Brisbane City Council
u FMA Australia and Tungsten Young FM of
the Year Award
Michael Russo – Investa Property Group Andrew McEwan (2nd from left) and David Duncan (3rd from left), with Branch of the Year, Victoria members Mike Rowlands
(left), Kristiana Greenwood(centre), Martin Lietch (behind), Trish Ferrier, Branch Committee Memebr of the Year, Derek Wilson
(front), Lou La-Delpha and Greg Burnham. Phtography by Larry Pitt.

6 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
FIRE EQUIPMENT | EX TINGUISHING SYSTEMS | INSTALL ATIONS | SERVICING | COMPLIANCE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Nothing good comes without training.


Even professionals need the right training to perform in pressure situations. Will your staff know how
to properly tackle an emergency? These days the onus is on the employer to provide a safe working
environment for their team. As one of the world’s leaders in fire protection, Wormald has the experience
to equip your people with the skills they need – skills that save lives and reduce damage to property when
the pressure is on. Our fire training covers everything from basic extinguisher skills, to evacuation and fire
warden training.

For the best training around call 133 166 or email firesafety.au@tycoint.com.
CEO’S MESSAGE
Photography: Melbourne Headshot Co.

DAVID DUNCAN CEO’s Message


With another successful ideaction conference behind us it is appropriate
that we reflect on, and acknowledge, some of its highlights.

T
he 18th national conference themed
“Striving towards a better environment-is
it important?” was held in the beautiful
city of Sydney at Darling Harbour and
attracted nearly 400 delegates and over 40
exhibitors. Pleasingly corporate sponsorship
was at an all time high which enabled us to
deliver a first class event.
High calibre speakers were a feature of the
event, a claim substantiated from the
summaries of speaker evaluation forms
submitted by delegates at the conclusion of
each of the sessions. Indeed we attracted
speakers from the United States and Hong Kong
and very much appreciated them making the
effort to ensure a successful event.
We were also joined by colleagues from
Global FM, a federation of international FM
Associations of which FMA Australia is a
founding member, including the International
Facility Management Association (IFMA), the
British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM)
and the Association des Directeurs et
Responsables de Services Generaux (ARSEG)
from France.
Photography Larry Pitt
A very memorable highlight of the
conference program was the Gala Awards generous support and participation of all our FMA Australia as a member organisation
Presentation Dinner held in the stunning speakers, sponsors and exhibitors. Indeed very much appreciates feedback from members,
Sydney Town Hall. The black tie event was most without all of you the conference would not whether good or not so good. While it is difficult,
fitting for such an elegant venue. have been the success it was. and probably impossible, to cater to every
It would be remiss of me not to mention Apart from the conference activity much is member’s wants, it is certainly our aim to
that every aspect of the conference was happening throughout the Association. Notably I satisfy the majority of them.
managed by my highly competent staff under was very pleased to have visited our WA and SA Finally, I trust members and others, find
the guidance of the conference organising branches and meet with some of our members. this second issue of Facility Perspectives
committee. They operated like a well oiled Although small in number at this time the level interesting and informative. As the new official
machine and the successful outcome was due of interest is growing in both of these States publication of FMA Australia we are striving to
in large measure to their hard work and untiring and national office support will be forthcoming ensure Facility Perspectives is the pre-eminent
efforts. to assist the branch committees and ensure magazine of the facility management industry.
Next year we will be staging our 19th that members have access to a broad range of Your feedback will greatly assist us in achieving
national conference on the Gold Coast and the local events and services. that goal along with the much appreciated
challenge before us is to make it an even better An electronic survey of members in both support of all our advertisers.
experience for delegates, corporate sponsors States has been undertaken and the results are
and exhibitors. currently being assessed with the view to David Duncan
That said, I take this opportunity to thank developing and implementing proactive Chief Executive Officer, FMA Australia
sincerely all delegates for attending and for the measures for the benefit of members. David’s Photo Melbourne Headshot Co.

8 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
Simple Steps to Relocating…
Rack, Pack, Stack, and Go!
Making All the Right Moves
Movers and Shakers Reusable Plastic Crates
(RPCs) provide the ultimate in protection for
your important documentation and belongings,
whether you’re moving internally or across the
city. Designed to replace the standard
cardboard carton, our simple rack, pack and
stack system provides a quick, safe, secure
and cost effective solution to packing and
relocating your business.
Thinking of using cardboard boxes…
Think again…

Rack… Pack… Stack… You Benefit from…


Optional rack inserts Crates arrive ready to Loaded Crates are more • Cost saving - Eliminate time
mean your suspension pack – no assembly efficient to handle and and labour of assembling,
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Crate. firmly with NO available space in storage • Space saving - Empty Crates
• No more ‘floating’ TAPING required or during transport nest to conserve valuable floor
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contents quick packing provide secure stacks to • Eco Friendly – Crates are
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Contact us: 1300 136 681


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FMA AUSTRALIA EVENT CALENDAR

2007 Branch Events


ACT Branch Events Professional Development Seminars
26 July – Site Visit – Visit to an Existing Facility
30 August – Social Dinner – Lake Cruise Dinner Sustainability with Dr Vyt Garnys
27 September – Forum – Managing Change in Melbourne Brisbane
Accommodation Topic 1 Topic 1
25 October – Annual Pitch and Putt Golf Day Tuesday 24th July Friday 27th July
29 November – Forum 9.00 am to 1.30 pm 9.00 am to 1.30 pm
Ether Centre, Grand Mercure Royal on the Park
QLD Branch Events 265 – 281 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne Cnr Albert & Alice Streets Brisbane
18 July – Site Visit Topic 2 Topic 2
9 August – Networking Forum Wednesday 8th August Monday 13th August
24 August – Annual Golf Day 9.00 am to 1.30 pm 9.00 am to 1.30 pm
19 September – Innovation Forum Ether Centre, Grand Mercure Royal on the Park
11 October –Networking Forum 265 – 281 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne Cnr Albert & Alice Streets Brisbane
24 October – Site Visit Topic 3 Topic 3
6 November – Melbourne Cup Event Wednesday 22nd August Tuesday 28th August
7 December – Lunch 9.00 am to 1.30 pm 9.00 am to 1.30 pm
Ether Centre, Grand Mercure Royal on the Park
NSW Branch Events 265 – 281 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne Cnr Albert & Alice Streets Brisbane
8 July – Lunch
24 July – Site Visit Sydney
2 August – Hunter Region Sub–Branch Lunch Topic 1
8 August – Lunch Thursday 26th July
22 August – South Coast Sub–Branch Lunch 9.00 am to 1.30 pm
28 August – Site Visit Mercure Sydney,
12 September – Lunch 818 – 820 George Street, Sydney
25 September – Lunch Topic 2
10 October – Lunch Friday 10th August
30 October – Site Visit 9.00 am to 1.30 pm
6 November – Lunch Mercure Sydney,
27 November – Site Visit 818 – 820 George Street, Sydney
28 November – South Coast Lunch Topic 3
5 December – Christmas Lunch Tuesday 4th September
9.00 am to 1.30 pm
VIC Branch Events Mercure Sydney,
27 July – Lunch – RACV Club 818 – 820 George Street, Sydney
24 August – MCG Site Visit & Luncheon – MCG
21 September – Lunch – Crown
19 October – Lunch – Crown
23 November – Lunch – RACV Club
14 December– Christmas Lunch – Crown

WA Branch Events
24 July – Site Visit
20 September – Site Visit
23 November – Annual Golf Day

Women in Facility Management, NSW


10 July – Recall Document Management Site
Visit – 5:30 pm

Photography Larry Pitt

10 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
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FAST FACTS + NEWS
SOLAR FOR A SLIVER OF THE PRICE u Flexible, roll-up solar panels
Ground-breaking technology, that could cut the cost of solar panels u High-voltage solar panels, and
in half, may soon see more Australian businesses making the move to u Solar powered aircraft, satellite and surveillance systems
renewable energy. In collaboration with Origin Energy, Australian National Since Origin Energy first engaged the Australian National University’s
University researchers Klaus Weber and Andrew Blakers have developed group of solar energy researchers a decade ago, it has invested $30
the ‘SLIVER®’ cell technology which reduces the amount of expensive million in developing the SLIVER® technology to be ready for the
silicon wafer needed in conventional solar panels by 90 percent. commercial market and building a pilot plant at Regency Park in South
By slicing the silicon wafers into thin slivers and placing them in a Australia.
panel, the solar energy conversion rate greatly increases – a solar power Origin hopes that moving forward with an international partner
panel that uses SLIVER® cell technology would use only two silicon already connected in the international solar market will enable them to
wafers to convert sunlight to 140 watts of power, compared to a begin large scale production of SLIVER® modules in the near future.
conventional solar panel which uses approximately 60 silicon wafers to Developments are regularly updated on the Origin Energy website at
achieve the same results. www.originenergy.com.au
Significantly thinner than most solar cells, SLIVER® cells are micro
machined from monocrystalline to 50 microns thick (thinner than a LEADING THE WORLD IN CARBON TRADING
human hair). They are also flexible and perfectly bifacial (accept light Media Source: Lend Lease News
from either side), unlike conventional solar cells which are often square Origin Energy and construction giant Lend Lease have recently
or round, up to 4 or 5 times thicker, quite rigid and usually single sided. announced the development of a scheme which enables the global
The SLIVER® cells are capable of high-grade performance due to their property industry to sell and measure carbon credits obtained by
thickness and good cell design, with demonstrated efficiencies over 19% adopting energy efficient practices into their buildings.
and voltages of 680mV. The 50 thickness corresponds to a Watt/kg ratio The world-leading mechanism will provide portfolio owners and
of 1600 and, unlike conventional cells, SLIVER® cells have a width that is property developers inducement to undertake energy efficient practices
the order of the thickness of the module which allows for the design of relating to HVAC systems, ventilation, appliances, lighting and building
efficient light trapping schemes. design.
The new technology allows for large decreases in silicon usage Rather than undertake the traditional emission offsets of renewable
compared to conventional crystalline silicon wafer technologies. In energy projects and tree-planting, the carbon trading scheme will
addition, it allows for a large reduction in the numbers of wafers approach reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for
processed per module by up to a factor of 35 compared to standard electricity. It’s a move that can’t come soon enough – current estimates
crystalline silicon technology. show the operation, maintenance, construction and demolition of
The new technology reduces costs in two main ways – by using buildings is responsible for about 40 percent of global greenhouse
much less expensive silicon for similar efficiency and power output, and emissions.
needing less capital to build a solar panel plant of similar capacity. Lend Lease announced its work on the development following the
The unique attributes of SLIVER® cell technology could lead to other March launch of Origin Energy’s voluntary national carbon trading
SLIVER® cell development applications, in addition to conventional scheme. Under Origin’s Carbon Trading Scheme, Lend Lease will make its
rooftop and off-grid uses, including: global headquarters in Sydney carbon neutral by purchasing carbon
u Transparent SLIVER® cell panes to replace building windows and credits from energy efficiency to offset tenant electricity consumption.
cladding For more information visit www.lendlease.com

12 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
INDUSTRY PROFILE

THE DYNALITE PHILOSOPHY

D
ynalite is a highly specialised
company whose principal
occupation is to provide cutting
edge technology solutions in lighting
control and automation. THE DYNALITE SOLUTION
A sophisticated lighting control system
A wholly Australian owned and operated
can provide significant cost savings in any
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achievements and success worldwide.
a variety of control methods present a solution
that gives workers flexibility and control
We live in a time of environmental paradox;
over their environment, whilst ensuring that
social and political attitudes have changed
energy is not consumed unnecessarily.
in favour of energy conservation, yet
working habits now lean toward longer
The Dynalite approach to energy
working hours spread across a wider period
management;
of time. Office tasks have evolved from
isolated individual processes to technology-
s ,IGHTING QUALITY MUST BE APPROPRIATE FOR
based interactive communication tasks. In
the task
effect, workers a consuming more energy
s 4HE USER SHOULD BE EMPOWERED NOT
for longer periods of time!
deprived
s 3TEPS TAKEN TO CONSERVE ENERGY MUST BE
SYMPTOMS OF AN UNDER-CONTROLLED
future-proof. Today’s actions shouldn’t
LIGHTING INSTALLATION
prevent tomorrow’s solutions from being
s ! SHARP RISE IN ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
implemented.
before most workers have arrived
s .O OBSERVABLE ENERGY REDUCTION AROUND
To find out how Dynalite can help your
the middle of the day when many workers
bottom line, phone 1300 554 178 or go to
go to lunch and daylight penetration is at
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its peak
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s %XCESSIVE ENERGY USAGE CONTINUES
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Energy usage profile in an undercontrolled


lighting installation

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 13
FAST FACTS + NEWS
TELSTRA IN A TIZZY – THE REAL STORY however, Alan Kohler contends that the rest of the world is already
Telsta’s full page ads, recently placed in major Fairfax daily moving away from copper wiring (used in FTTN from the telephone
newspapers, created a furore with messages targeted at getting John exchange to the home) and on to fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) internet
Howard to overrule the Australian Competition and Consumer services which is faster and (ultimately) cheaper to run. The Optic fibre
Commission’s (ACCC) pricing conditions on fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) used in FTTH technology is significantly more reliable than FTTN, since it
broadband. bypasses the telephone exchanges and goes directly to the home, and
As reported by Alan Kohler in The Age on May 15, 2007, the does not require the use of the existing copper wire infrastructure. It
contention between the ACCC and Telstra originates from Telstra wanting, therefore encounters less interference and ultimately gives customers
in the ACCC’s view, to charge competitors excessive wholesale fees for more control over the service. While the initial cost to establish FTHH in
accessing its existing copper wire network to deliver internet services. the home is estimated at falling somewhere between $1200 to $1500 to
Telstra’s proposal for delivering the much needed high-speed establish, it is likely to save each household about $US110 per year.
broadband to Australians is estimated at delivering a retail price of Adopting FTTH technology would leave Telstra with only their cable
around $100 a month, compared to the competing Optus G9 consortium trenches as the established infrastructure for which they could charge
proposal which settles at around half of Telstra’s retail price. their competitors, since duplicating this would be too prohibitive for
The Telstra ads (which cost somewhere in the vicinity $250,000) other telecommunication companies.
call on the public to “tell the ACCC to stop saying ‘No’ to high-speed
broadband” but ACCC Chairman Mr. Graeme Samuel says they are not BUDGET DELIVERS ON WATER RECYCLING
prepared to back down on ensuring Australians get a fair deal on FTTN The 2007/08 Victorian State Government budget delivers an extra
broadband. $136 million for vital water projects needed to secure the future water
“The law requires that decisions as important as the future of supply of Victoria.
broadband supply in Australia be made in an open transparent way. The Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has said that $16 million would be
public and competitors must have the chance to make comment on how invested in Altona, Westenport and Frankston to save 3.5 billion litres of
this is done – whether it’s the G9 proposal, Telstra or anybody else.” drinking water every year. The Government will provide $5 million
Mr Samuel says the ACCC’s three main criteria, which it will apply towards an upgrade of the Altona Treatment Plant which will allow the
without fear or favour, are to: supply of 2 billion litres of recycled water per year to the Qenos plastics
u Promote investment plant a kilometre away. At the Qenos plant, a further 400 million litres of
u Promote competition and water will be recycled on site. At the Australian Vinyls plant also nearby,
u Protect consumers against paying monopoly prices and to another on-site project will free up a further 300 million litres. The on-site
promote innovation and highest quality services projects at Qenos and Australian Vinyls are supported by $4.3 million in
While Telstra battles it out to deliver FTTN broadband to Australia the 2007-08 Budget.

14 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
FAST FACTS + NEWS
A further $2.2 million is allocated to fund a Frankston project to producing energy more efficiently.
provide recycled water to community open spaces such as sports The Report also makes the point that while biofuels such as ethanol
facilities, parks and gardens, saving 160 million litres of water a year. The will make a significant contribution to road transport energy needs in
Government is providing $4.1 million to another industry recycling either scenario (with Brazil leading the way), rising food demand will
project at South East Water’s Somer’s Treatment Plant which will free up compete with biofuels for existing arable land and pasture land. About 14
660 million litres of drinking water by providing recycled water to Blue million hectares of land are currently used for the production of biofuels,
Scope Steel’s Hastings Plant. which is equal to about 1% of the world’s currently available arable land.
Water Minister John Thwaites said the budget also contained new This share rises to 2% in the Reference Scenario and 3.5% in the
funding to reduce industry water use including initiatives to reduce Alternative Policy Scenario. The amount of arable land needed in 2030 is
water use in cooling towers, industrial laundries and to install smart equal to more than that of France and Spain in the Reference Scenario
water metres in industry, a move estimated to save about three billion and that of all the OECD Pacific countries – including Australia – in the
litres of water a year by 2008. Alternative Policy Scenario.
Facility managers are committed to playing their part in saving Go to the International Energy Agency’s website at
water, and for more information on water saving practices, Sydney Water http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/ for the Report.
have outlined valuable water conservation measures in the best practice
guidelines for cooling towers in commercial buildings and best practice ANZ TOWER SETS GREEN EXAMPLE
guidelines for clubs, now available from their website at Source: The Age (Peter Hannam, 7 May 2007)
www.sydneywater.com.au ANZ announced its intentions to build the largest green building in
Australia on its Collins Street site in Melbourne’s Docklands, by using
UMS ACQUIRES NEW BUSINESS solar cells and wind power to cut reliance on fossil fuel-generated power
Urban Maintenance Systems (UMS) have recently purchased Sydney by 70 per cent, and water recycling to reduce the use of mains water by
based company Service Station Building Maintenance Services (SSBMS) 60 per cent.
– one of petroleum’s leading Building Maintenance companies. SSBMS According to the Green Building Council of Australia, ANZ is aiming for
has been supplying building maintenance services to the retail side of a world-leading 6 Star Green Star sustainability standard for its new 10
the petroleum industry for the best part of 28 years. storey complex; a move likely to prompt more companies to invest in
The recent acquisition will allow SSBMS to grow its services further in reducing their environmental impact.
Queensland and Victoria, as well as enabling SSBMS to offer the full suite ANZ initially budgeted $478 million for a 5 Star-rated building, but
of UMS services which include Road, Park and Building maintenance and opted to spend another $34 million to reach the highest rating, achieved
management, Graffiti removal, Essential Services (Safety Measures), Life by just three other bank projects globally and just two other Australian
Cycle costing and a range of Project Management Services. buildings – CH2 and 40 Albert Road.
SSBMS will continue under the same name and be known as a The tower will be among the first in the country to utilise non-
member of the UMS group of companies specializing in the petroleum distributed energy in the form of on-site gas turbines that generate
sector. power and heating and cooling which will help to overcome the nearly
50% loss of energy experienced through coal-generated power, fed
ENERGY TRANSFORMED: FORUM CLEARS THE AIR ON through the electricity grid. Energy management systems will also be
CLIMATE CHANGE installed to minimise off-peak energy use, and the building will make use
In the latest issue of CSIRO magazine Solve (Issue 11), Heather of some of the renewable energy technologies such as six wind turbines,
Catchpole writes that the CSIRO led Energy Futures Forum has found that and recycle all the waste or “black” water produced in the building for
big reductions of greenhouse emissions are economically feasible. toilet flushing and air conditioning .
Despite the impact of carbon constraints as energy bodies attempt Chris Carolan, project director for Bovis Lend Lease, says “we’re not
to address climate change, a new report* concludes there is no reason aware of any black-water recycling that’s being used to supplement
why reductions in greenhouse gas emissions should lead to more cooling towers,” and the move as such probably represents a first for this
expensive electricity. The report, released by a forum focusing on kind of water conservation.
Australia’s energy future, has also found that the economy could While some of the renewable enrgy measures will have a pay-back
continue to grow even if Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions were period as short as two years, a key reason for seeking a 6 Green Star
reduced to 50 per cent of 1990 levels by 2050, by capturing carbon rating was to improve the work environment for the 5500 staff who will
dioxide and using alternative energy sources such as wind and solar. move in after 2009.
* The forum’s report, The Heat Is On, released in December 2006, is a “It’s going to boost productivity of our people,” said Jane Hamilton,
culmination of two years of discussion and modelling by CSIRO and ANZ’s global head of property. “It’s going to be a much healthier building
ABARE that looks at how individuals and the economy would fare in a and a much more enjoyable building to work in.”
range of future energy scenarios. It is available at While the project would tap experience gained at the Royal Bank of
www.csiro.au/science/EnergyFuturesForum.html. Scotland’s 6 Star-equivalent building in Edinburgh and a counterpart
project for the Bank of America in New York, Melbourne’s hotter climate
TWO SCENARIOS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY would require modifications including additional shading for windows, Mr
– WORLD ENERGY OUTLOOK 2006 REPORT. Carolan said.
The International Energy Agency – World Energy Outlook 2006 “The actual capital investment people are having to make to achieve
Report provides a detailed outline of two scenarios for the paths to 2030. green outcomes is reducing considerably,” said council chairman Tony
The first confirms that fossil-fuel demand and trade flows, and Arnel. Still, he concedes that the ratings are likely to be “dynamic”,
greenhouse-gas emissions would follow their current unsustainable particularly if governments are forced to accelerate efforts to cut
paths in the absence of new government action – the underlying greenhouse gas emissions to stall climate change. “Ten years down the
premise of their Reference Scenario. The Report also demonstrates, in an track, we’ll look back and say well, you know, that was just the start.”
Alternative Policy Scenario, that a package of policies and measures that He added that 7 Star and 8 Star ratings were likely to emerge over
countries around the world are considering would, if implemented, the coming decade. Go to http://www.gbcaus.org for more information, or
significantly reduce the rate of increase in demand and emissions. visit http://www.anz.com
Importantly, the economic cost of these policies would be more than
outweighed by the economic benefits that would come from using and

16 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
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COVER STORY

Greening the future

18 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
COVER STORY

and the role of the


built environment BY FACILITY PERSPECTIVES’ MELANIE DRUMMOND

The blunt truth about the politics of climate change is


that no country will want to sacrifice its economy in
order to meet this challenge, but all economies know
that the only sensible long term way of developing is
MELANIE DRUMMOND
to do it on a sustainable basis – Tony Blair

O
n March 31st, 2007, over 2 million Sydney residents turned off their earlier this year outlined the projected effects of global warming, unless there
lights as part of WWF’s Earth Hour. Heading into the event over is a worldwide move to heavily reduce carbon emissions:
65,000 individuals and 2,000 businesses had already registered to u Drought-affected areas are likely to increase in extent while heavy
participate in the groundbreaking initiative to cut C02 emissions. precipitation events are likely to increase in frequency.
Results of the voluntary blackout resulted in a 10.2 percent drop in energy u Increased disease, injury and death due to extreme weather events such
usage across the central city. It doubled organiser’s expectations, reducing as droughts, fire, storms and floods.
emissions by a staggering 24.86 tonnes of carbon dioxide – the effect of u 20 to 30% of plants and animal life will be at risk of extinction if
taking 48, 613 cars of the road. temperatures surpass an increase of 2.5 degrees Celsius.
It seems that finally, Australians are sitting up and taking notice of Global u Mountain region settlements are at greater risk to glacier lake outburst
Warming. floods caused by melting glaciers.
The commercial built environment is also fast realising the extent of its u Increasing sea levels will force the displacement of tens of millions of
accountability. Statistics estimate1 the construction of buildings consumes coastal dwellers in the approaching decades.
32% of the world’s resources. In Australia alone, commercial buildings produce u Low-lying regions in dry and tropical areas can expect a decrease in crop
8.8% of national greenhouse gas emissions, generating up to 46.4 million productivity which will increase risk of hunger.
tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (increasing by at least 3% per u Water security problems are expected to intensify in southern and
annum). With the distinct possibility of future water and carbon trading taxes eastern Australia as a result of reduced precipitation and increased
and mounting pressure from the public and media to reduce the built evaporation.
environment’s impact on climate change, ‘going green’ looks certain to be the u By 2050, continued population growth and development in areas such as
only way of sustaining a commercial future. Cairns and Southeast Queensland is expected to face increasing risks
Facility Perspectives’ Melanie Drummond looked into the issues from rising sea-levels and the increasing frequency and intensity of
surrounding Green Buildings and spoke to Caroline Pidcock, President of the coastal flooding and storms.
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and Romilly Madew, u Declining water supplies in glaciers and snow cover will reduce water
Chief Executive of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). availability in regions that rely on melt water from major mountain ranges
(more than one-sixth of the world population currently lives in these
Global Warming: the gradual increase of the temperature of the Earth ‘s regions).
lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases since u There will be increasing economic and social costs resulting from more
the Industrial revolution.2 frequency of extreme weather events.
The projections are a glaring reminder Australia has no time to waste in
Global Warming cutting carbon emissions. In the year 2000, Australia was ranked as the
Australia is no stranger to climate change. Enduring one of the harshest fourteenth largest source of fossil fuel CO2 emissions in the world, responsible
droughts in our recorded history has forced people throughout the country to for an estimated 94 million metric tons. Per capita the figures are even more
adapt to increasing water restrictions and to adopt a new attitude towards startling – Australia is now the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the
recycling one of our most precious resources. It’s clear the time for change world4 due to the amount of coal burned to generate electricity.
has arrived. Ranked as the world’s fourth largest coal producer5 and the largest
The world’s leading scientists now agree the amount of carbon emissions exporter of coal, Australian coal consumption accounted for almost 60 percent
we are pouring into the atmosphere each year is the cause of the rapid of 2000 figures for total emissions.
increase in global warming that is affecting our planet at a terrifying rate. In spite of the alarming figures, Australia and America refused to ratify the
There is now also confirmation of the widespread belief that climate change is Kyoto Protocol in 2005, a decision which gained both countries widespread
responsible for the extreme weather patterns that have hit our planet in public criticism. The protocol, an amendment to the United Nations Framework
recent years. Conventions on Climate Change, assigned a mandatory 5.2 percent cut in
A report released from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change3 greenhouse gas emissions to the 35 nations that ratified the agreement.

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 19
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COVER STORY

Interior of 8 Brindabella.
Photo courtesy Australian Research Council.

Ratifying countries were each consigned relative emission targets and have building design, recognises environmental leadership, identifies building life-
until 2012 to actualise the reductions. cycle impacts and raises awareness of the many benefits of sustainable
As governments across the world strategize and implement the changes design.
necessary to reduce carbon emissions, local government in Australia is also Green Star is a holistic rating system that addresses initiatives that
committing to the cause with gusto. The Cities for Climate Protection improve, or have the potential to improve, a building’s environmental
Australian Programme, which started in 1997, has spurred on local councils performance in a range of categories – including water, energy, Indoor
across Australia to take up the climate change challenge. During the years of Environment Quality, materials, transport, ecology and emissions. Green Star
2005/06, participating councils reported the reduction of nearly 2.9 million has now extended beyond new commercial office buildings to provide a rating
tonnes of carbon dioxide through action taken by their respective system for existing office buildings, shopping centres, healthcare facilities and
organisations. By 2010, the city of Melbourne alone has committed to reduce schools and universities.
corporate greenhouse gas emissions to 30% below the figures from 1996 and Another valuable tool for helping companies green their buildings is,
to achieve zero net emissions by 2020. NABERS (the National Australian Built Environment Rating System) – a
performance-based rating system that rates an existing building on its
Green buildings measured operational impact on the environment. A NSW government initiative,
Continued media focus on global warming has instigated an unstoppable NABERS provides building owners, managers and occupants with an indication
wave of public pressure on businesses to take responsibility for contribution to of how well they are managing the environmental impact of their buildings.
climate change. As the planet gets hotter, tenant demand for environmentally- Despite the obvious reputational benefits of being a green building,
efficient properties is also on the rise. Savvy property developers are already buildings like CH2 can also look forward to reaping the long-term financial
well aware that ‘green buildings’ are the only way forward for businesses eager benefits of environmentally efficient practices. Of the $51.045 million dollars
to establish a foothold in an increasingly ‘greener’ society. However, lack of spent to build CH2, $11.3 million dollars was spent on the building’s
information and education on green issues has left many organisations still in sustainable features – solar hot water collectors, photovoltaic cells, shading
the dark over the long-term commercial advantages of going green. screens, timber shutters, light harvesting devices, precast ceilings, chilled
Recycling, using renewable energy and reducing unnecessary energy water cooling systems, co-generation plant, air-conditioning and beams and
consumption offers countless commercial benefits including: lower annual slabs. It is expected that savings in energy and water costs will pay for the
operating costs, increased occupant productivity, less staff churn, higher building’s sustainable features in just 10 years time.
relative investment returns, marketing advantages and higher market value CH2 has taken the idea of mimicking nature to a whole new level. Architect
for rent. The sustainable revolution is already so well underway that, in China, and Designer, Mick Pearce, adopted the ecology principles used by termites to
planning is currently in progress to develop the world’s first sustainable city. moderate air temperatures within the building.9 By using a stack effect, termite
Dongtan, which is nearly the size of Manhattan, will be designed with the mounds are able to maintain a consistent temperature of around 30 degrees
intention of consuming such low energy that it gets as close to carbon neutral despite varying outside temperatures ranging from anywhere between minus
as possible.7 The urban eco-city will be designed to attract a wide variety of zero to 40 degrees. Termites generate their own heat, which creates warm air
commercial and leisure investors. that rises and is then released through vents at the top of the mound. Cool air
While Australia may not be quite ready for an entirely sustainable city, it then rushes in at the bottom to replace it, creating a natural air conditioning
already boasts some of the finest sustainable buildings in the world. system.
Melbourne’s 500 Collins Street and Council House 2 (CH2) are just two of the Pearce copied the stack effect principle for CH2 by designing it so the
high profile green buildings that have achieved 5 Star and 6 Star Green Star warm air rising from the offices is released through vents in the roof that are
ratings respectively for creating buildings that mirror the planet’s ecology. The hidden by energy-generating wind turbines. The natural cooling system is a
5 Star Green Star rating awarded to 500 Collins Street is particularly notable as working example of bio-mimicry, a new architectural movement of buildings
it is the largest, and oldest, retrofitted office building to achieve a Green Star mimicking nature in order to reduce their impact on the environment.
rating. To ensure revolutionary buildings like CH2 continue to be built in Australia,
The Green Star rating system, established by the Green Building Council of and throughout the world, it is essential there is continued collaboration and
Australia8, was created to assist the property industry in its move towards knowledge sharing between designers, scientists, architects, engineers,
sustainable development. By setting a standard of measurement for green environmentalists, property developers, managers and legislators.
buildings, the Green Star rating system promotes the integration of whole
CONTINUES ON PAGE 23

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 21
Is it really green?

Of course the answer you get will always be “Yes”. But if you value the environment you need to be sure!
How do you know? Is the “proof” really proof? Are you qualified to judge?
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These fabrics are 100% carbon neutral. Our carbon offset program represents the equivalent of removing
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We are not waiting until tomorrow but are making a difference every time right now. Regardless of
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difference to the environment every time.
Our sustainability credentials and the Green Living® Collection can be viewed at www.greenliving.com.au

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COVER STORY

Facility Perspectives’ Melanie


Drummond discussed more
developments and challenges on the
horizon for greening our built
environment with Chief Executive of the
Green Building Council of Australia,
Romilly Madew.

Facility Perspectives: What are the main issues surrounding Monitoring: Sub-metering is being installed in high-performance
‘green buildings’ today? buildings to monitor water use (effectively accomplished through
Building Management Systems) and detect any leaks. Leakage
RM: There are still a number of barriers to building green and there accounts for 20-25% of potable water use in Australia’s commercial
is still also a perception within the industry that green costs more. buildings.
As identified by The Dollars & Sense of Green Buildings, the Green Demand reduction: An important step is to initially reduce the total
Building Council of Australia’s cost-benefit analysis of green buildings demand of a building, which can be accomplished through efficiency
released in 2006, there are a number of barriers to the mainstream measures such as water-efficient fittings and fixtures: dual-flush
uptake of green building principles and practices, including: toilets, waterless urinals, efficient WELS-rated taps and water-efficient
u a general lack of knowledge and skills about green building in landscape irrigation systems. This can also be accomplished through
pockets of the industry; meeting the same needs in a different way, such as using air-cooled
u a lack of value attached to the long term benefits of green buildings HVAC systems, xeriscaping or fire protection systems that don’t expel
and too great a focus on short-term, low-cost construction; any water for testing (and instead recapturing it for reuse).
u a inconsistent level of government support and leadership across Potable water replacement: The already reduced demand can then
all levels, including insufficient incentives and inconsistent and further be offset with non-potable water. Wastewater treatment
uncoordinated regulation; and solutions include:
u a supply chain issue with availability of appropriate green and u Aerobic treatment, where water is purified by roots of plants
reusable materials. growing in a water-based solution; they can form fascinating,
Despite inconsistent government support, the property industry elaborate greenhouses that have been used in a few educational
have been the quiet achievers over the past four years, embracing facilities such as University of Sydney, as living laboratories. One of
green building practices in new construction and making real inroads the terms used for such aerobic systems is ‘Living Machines’;
into reducing the built environment’s impact, particularly in terms of u Anaerobic digestion, where water is purified by bacteria in the
cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing water consumption. absence of oxygen, with methane as a by-product (R&D has taken
on the challenge of converting methane to electricity); these
Facility Perspectives: What challenges will retro-fitting bring to the systems do not look spectacular because they are usually
property industry? concealed below ground, but they are a space-effective and
pragmatic approach to wastewater treatment.
RM: The real challenge will be the greening of Australia’s ageing
office buildings, which represent 98% of building stock, and Other architectural applications include dual-pipe systems that act
government support is required if we are to really tackle this. to accomplish any of the following:
In particular, the Australian Green Building Council has called for u Use of filtered greywater (from taps, showers and equipment) for
government support through a carbon trading scheme and tax flushing toilets or landscape irrigation
incentives. The development of a national carbon trading scheme which u Use of harvested rainwater for toilet flushing, landscape irrigation,
allows buildings to accrue and trade carbon credits from energy fire protection or HVAC systems (for in-slab cooling/heating or
efficiency, and demand side abatement initiatives is fundamental to cooling tower make-up water).
driving improvement to the environmental performance of existing
buildings. Facility Perspectives: Do you believe there are enough skill sets
currently in the facilities/management industry to run green buildings
Facility Perspectives: What are some of the current trends efficiently?
emerging in green building design?
RM: Across the whole property sector there are still pockets of the
RM: With the current drought situation engulfing Australia, water is industry that lack an understanding of sustainability and green
playing a strong part in the focus of sustainable design. The industry is buildings, this includes people among the facilities management sector.
using innovative design and technology to create ways to reduce water On a positive note though, industry knowledge is changing
use (and rainwater harvesting goes without saying) and recycle water consistently and fast, so it will always be a challenge to keep them up
wherever possible. There are three major trends: monitoring, demand to date with the latest technologies and industry developments.
reduction and potable water replacement. There is also a challenge in conveying a single coherent message

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 23
INDUSTRY PROFILE
-2851$/
New Artoleum –
Nature inspired
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Forbo’s stunning new eco-friendly
Artoleum flooring collection, and its
three ranges entitled Graphic, Prisma
and Mineral, will be unveiled at the
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Melbourne this year.

A rtoleum is the natural


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Neither marbled nor plain,
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offerings with its own identity
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Artoleum Prisma consists of two
designs – one subtle and one bold.
The subtle design (available in six
colourways) features one
predominant colour with a colour lithography, etching and block
co-ordinated fine pattern through printing. These versatile and
it. This creates a solid, harmonious striking designs blend effortlessly
effect that works well in any with all kinds of building materials.
space. Complementing each of
these subtle designs is a bold one With proven durability, Artoleum’s
4PNFUJNFT XIBU ZPV TFF EFQFOET PO IPX ZPV offered in a choice of two, carefully colours go all the way through the
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"SUPMFVN JT B VOJRVF ¿PPSJOH EFTJHO 6OJRVF counterpart’s main colour Topshield finish protects Artoleum
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completely unique and vibrant Artoleum is also biodegradable,
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BOE DPNQMFUFMZ CJPEFHSBEBCMF "SUPMFVN XJMM OPU Inspired by natural scenes and thing that inspired its creation –
vivid seasonal palettes, Artoleum the world around us.
EBNBHF UIF WFSZ UIJOH UIBU JOTQJSFE JUT Prisma is ideal for creating floors
DSFBUJPO  UIF XPSME BSPVOE VT with perfectly colour-matched Designed for designers by Forbo’s
borders, panels and other design dedicated design team, the new
4FF NPSF PG XIBU ZPV DBO HFU CZ [PPNJOH PWFS UP
features. Artoleum collection exudes style
XXXGPSCP¿PPSJOHDPNBV and quality, demonstrating a
Artoleum Mineral takes its cue relationship with nature and an
*OUSPEVDJOH 'PSCPµT FDPBXBSE XJOOJOH from the variety and richness of
understanding and respect of the
/&8 "SUPMFVN DPMMFDUJPO natural stones. Warm neutral
environment.
colours and quiet patterning
ensure a harmonious, pleasant The 46 Artoleum offerings are the
background to any space. latest development from flooring
The Artoleum Graphic range has innovators Forbo.
expanded to nine timeless black, The new range colours and
white and grey based designs designs can be viewed at
inspired by the markings of www.forbo-flooring.com.au

24 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
COVER STORY
in a diverse industry and a lack of research in Australia to support and reduced liability risk.
green buildings. The Green Building Council plans to release a number Cost is a large factor in green buildings and one that drives many
of research reports and publications in 2007 that will help to inform the facility managers. Lower operational costs from reduced lighting loads,
industry. high efficiency appliances, increased insulation, passive ventilation,
and commissioning that recognises and improves inefficiencies all lead
Facility Perspectives: Are there currently enough professional to savings that can be passed on to perspective clients and tenants.
development/educational opportunities for people working in the built Reduced liability risk is another key factor, with some industry
environment to learn about going green and sustainability? experts predicting that insurance companies will start linking lower
premiums to green buildings.
RM: There could always be more education on green buildings –
however if you consider the number of courses and conferences on Facility Perspectives: Does going green cost more?
green buildings being held a year ago to now, there has been a
dramatic increase in courses on offer – the issue then is ensuring RM: The perception that green costs more is being constantly
property professionals attend these courses. eroded by case studies and reports. With more buildings achieving
Education is one of the major drivers to greening the property certification, the word from GBCA members is, if the design and
industry, especially for facility managers. This was clearly identified in construction process is managed effectively and complimented by an
the Jones Lang La Salle latest white paper, Sustainability: Bridging the integrated design approach, a Green Star project does not have to cost
Knowledge Gap – which identified a skills shortage due to a lack of more.
critical knowledge of building design and operation lost in critical However if you put this in perspective, where buildings aim for 6
stages of the building life cycle. Star Green Star – cost will be a consideration. 6 Star buildings are world
The industry cannot stand still so education is key in raising the leaders and incorporate state of the art technology. In addition,
benchmarks and driving the innovation of green buildings forward. The undertaking a green refurbishment or retrofit on an existing building,
Green Building Council is releasing new Green Star rating tools in especially an old one, would also assume an increased cost and this is
response to market demands, and they therefore need to be educated why governments need to be responsive to industry.
in all these new green star developments. On the other hand, by building green you are reducing the risk of a
building becoming obsolete, and reducing operating costs opens a
Facility Perspectives: For a Facility Manager who may already project up to whole raft of benefits.
struggle to meet all their KPI’s in a given day, how would you convince
them that the extra time taken to run a ‘green building’ is beneficial? Facility Perspectives: Relationships between landlords and
tenants of green buildings is becoming increasingly important when
RM: The business case for facilities managers to green their ensuring the successful operation of a sustainable building. Can you
buildings has been made specifically around cost, operational savings outline for me some of the benefits/shortcomings of Green Leases?

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 25
COVER STORY

RM: Tenants need to drive the demand for green buildings and Facility Perspectives: With the number of sustainability
office fit outs, and a Green Lease is an important tool in assisting them. organisations out there, do you see the need for more unification?
Organisations are becoming increasingly aware of the marketing
potential of green building and by signing a green lease; a number of RM: There are a number of organisations involved in green
competitive advantages are available for tenants. These include: buildings – so as not to confuse the industry it is important these
u Attracting and retaining employees, which has significant financial organisations collaborate and co-ordinate their approaches. This is why
benefits ASBEC (Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council – an umbrella
u Enhancing employee wellbeing and productivity, which reduces group of industry associations) is so important.
absenteeism and improves the level of work produced The GBCA has also been calling for co-ordination and consistency in
u Reduces liability due to a safe and risk free working environment national metrics, standards, and targets around a single rating system
u Increases profitability through lower operational costs – namely Green Star – to provide clarity for the industry.
Green Star is a national benchmark for green buildings and
Facility Perspectives: What do you think of the recent Green Lease provides projects with a chance for achievements within green building
Schedule put out by the Federal Government? to be recognised and encourage the industry to aim higher. If there is
no direction, or a sense of achievement, there would be nothing to drive
RM: The Federal Government is showing leadership in driving the the uptake of green design.
shift to a sustainable property industry through the introduction of its It also limits the amount of “greenwash” in the market, and helps
Green Lease Schedule (GLS) and the Green Building Council of Australia to enable the public and perspective tenants to make comparisons and
applauds the intention and initiative of the GLS. be more informed in what they can expect and should request.
However, the Australian Green Building Council would have liked to
have seen a broader approach that includes other environmental Facility Perspectives: What will happen to organisations that don’t
impacts such as water, materials, and Indoor Environmental Quality make sustainability a business imperative?
(IEQ), rather than an exclusive focus on energy.
This could have been achieved if the Federal Government had RM: An overwhelming comment from speakers at the Green Cities
adopted the approach of the South Australian and Victorian State Conference this year about organisations that do not manage their
Governments, which have incorporated Green Star into their office buildings with sustainability in mind was simple – your building risks
accommodation guidelines. becoming obsolete.
In the short term, the Australian Green Building Council is calling on When considering organisations and their embracing of
the Federal Government to clarify the terms of the Green Lease sustainability, the evidence is already there that green buildings assist
Schedule as a matter of urgency so that the market can fully organisations to attract and retain talent. A report by Colliers
understand its impact. International released in 2006 called “Lifeblood” supports this “In order

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26 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
COVER STORY
to win the “battle for talent”, employers will need to respond to new References and Resources
values and lifestyle expectations from employees and the design of the 1 The Dollars and Sense of Green Buildings 2006 Building the Business Case for Green
Commercial Buildings in Australia
workplace and the building that accommodates it is becoming 2 reference.aol.com/planet-earth/globalwarming/facts
increasingly important and as an expression of an organisastion’s 3 Working Group II Contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth
culture and values.” The report goes onto say that selecting the right Assessment Report Climate Change 2007: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and
Vulnerability
building with good indoor environment quality is crucial.
4. ABC radio transcript of interview with Dr Mark Diesendorf – Senior Lecturer at the Institute
of Environment Studies, University of New South Wales
Facility Perspectives: What possibilities do you see for sustainable (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2006/1658637.htm)
design in the future? 5 Carbon sequestrarion leadership forum – Energy summary of Australia (
http://www.cslforum.org/australia.htm)
6 Romilly Madew, CEO Green Building Council of Australia
RM: Australia has everything it needs intellectually and technically 7 http://www.arup.com/eastasia/project.cfm?pageid=7047
to give it the capacity and commitment to be world leaders in 8 Green Building Council Of Australia – Green Star rating overview
sustainable design. (http://www.gbcaus.org/gbc.asp?sectionid=88&docid=952)
The possibilities are endless. The only restrictions to sustainable 9 NABERS rating system overview - http://www.nabers.com.au/
10 ABC Online transcript of interview with Mick Pearce: http:
design are the ones the industry imposes on itself. It is up to them to www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1901482.htm
be as innovative as they can and approach the challenges of green
building as opportunities for creativity and clever design.
COVER STORY FEATURE CONTINUES ON PAGE 33
The future of the planet rests in our hands. There are many exciting
possibilities and opportunities to turn global warming around, but it
requires the commitment of the commercial built environment. The
enormous level of carbon emissions we are pouring into the
atmosphere everyday has to come down, and there is no time to waste.
Architect and President of the Australian Sustainable Built
Going Green Today
Environment Council (ASBEC), Caroline Pidcock agrees that greening
our buildings is the only way to ensure the future survival of the
human race.
“We are at an absolute tipping point of change. I think it’s terrifying
and exciting all at the same time, the issue of climate change and the
urgent need to do something about it is so upon us that it’s urgent we
put all our efforts in to finding a solution so we can continue the human
experiment on the planet.”

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fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 27
INDUSTRY PROFILE

Green Air Handling Units


aim for the stars
The challenge of climate change is demanding urgent action by building
managers, owners and operators. Buildings – commercial and residential –
contribute 71% of greenhouse gasses, according to speakers at the Green
Cities conference held in Sydney in February 2007.

A
study released in April 2007 showed
that New York’s 950,000 buildings are
responsible for 79 percent of the
greenhouse gases produced by the city
with transportation including mass transit, cars
and trucks, responsible for most of the
remaining 21 percent of the emissions. “Even
though New Yorkers already generate less than
a third of the carbon emissions than the
average American does, we can and we must do
more,” Mr. Bloomberg said in announcing the
results of the study at a news conference in
Lower Manhattan.1
Astute developers and property managers
are making the switch to green buildings, and
considering major refits of existing older and
less efficient buildings to avoid their “looming
obsolescence”. Major opportunities can arise Chilled beam systems need a dedicated outside made viable for many older buildings.
during initial design or major refurbishment, air unit to provide cool dry air. The requirement Some high profile clients with similar Air
whilst many other small improvements in the is ideal for Air Change with its capacity to Change air handling units include:
area of energy efficiency can be achieved with condition high levels of outside air efficiently u Australian Institute of Sport
little investment or no disruption to operations. with inbuilt energy or heat reclaim. (Consultants: Acor,
The new Building Code of Australia has set The “green” air handling units have an Installation: Climatech Group)
guidelines for energy usage, and the Green inbuilt air-air heat exchanger which takes hot u Bendigo Police Station
Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has outside air, and transfers this heat to the cooler (Consultants: GHD,
introduced a star rating system for designers. spill air. The net result shown in the figure Installation: Burns Pty Ltd)
New 5 and 6 star buildings are achieving around shown is an 8.2 degree reduction in u Shangri-Lah Resort, Fiji
30% lower CO2 emissions than a typical office temperature from 35ºC to 26.8ºC. This is where (Consultants: Irwin Alsop Pacific,
building, whilst still providing a higher grade of the major energy savings are made. Installation: Kooline Refrigeration)
indoor air quality with more outside air. Credit This inbuilt heat exchanger lies at heart of u Launceston Hospital
points towards a star rating can be achieved on all Air Change units and reduces the cost of (Consultants: Engineering Solutions
the basis of ventilation improvements relative to conditioning outside air by around 75%. All 3 Tasmania, Installation: Omni Contracting)
the minimum levels stated by Australian phase units come with Variable Speed Drives as u St Kevin’s Aquatic Centre
Standard 1668.2-1991. standard equipment, to control fan speed. (consultants: BRT Consulting Engineers,
Directly coupled fans and motors replace Installation: Allcare Air Conditioning)
Outside Air Ventilation outdated pulleys and belts, reducing servicing u Box Hill Hospital
Green Star improvement on costs. CO2 sensors are a new addition to the Air (Design and Construct: Associated
Credit Points AS1668.2-1991
Change AHU range to vary the requirement for Mechanical Services)
1 50%
conditioning and ventilation according to the For further information contact
2 100%
population of the area. Shane Carmichael of Air Change on
3 150% Other heat reclaim products available are shane@air-change.com, 1300 766 704
A new high profile and potential Green Star rooftop and pool package units, fan coil units or check out the web site at
project has selected Air Change air handling and ventilators, with airflows from 100 to www.air-change.com
units (AHU) as a companion product to the 12,000 litres per second. With all units made 1 Report commissioned by New York Mayor, Michael R
chilled beam system planned for this building. and designed in Australia, retrofitted units are Bloomberg.

28 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
INDUSTRY PROFILE
SUBMITTED BY The Warehouse, NZ

Intelligent Dayight
Reprinted with permission of Electrolink magazine

Harvesting
When it comes to ‘big box’ retailing, lighting designers have struggled to get it
right. Competing demands such as more light, more energy savings, more
controllability, higher colour rendering, longer life and cheaper overall cost have
largely been impossible to meet, and designers have had to trade off gains in
some areas at the expense of others.

F
ortunately, the research and development
team at Advanced Lighting’s lamp division,
Venture Lighting, has waved its magic wand
and developed a new generation, high
wattage, pulse start, metal halide lamp that puts
lighting designers on the right side of every
performance feature big box retailers want, says
Mark Kirkham of Advanced Lighting Technologies.
Venture’s new Uni-form Natural White lamp and
Opti-E dimmable electronic ballast system are a
major step towards better quality retail lighting, says
Kirkham.
“With a colour temperature of 5000°K there are
a host of advantages. These lamps are a lot closer to
natural light and provide a more effective and
efficient light source for the human eye, and more
dollars through the till for retailers.
“There were some initial concerns that the
cooler appearance of these 5000°K lamps would be Retail store with natural daylight
perceived as less inviting than that of the traditional closely with Venture as its lamp technology evolves. range of control compared to the bilevel metal
4000°K lamps. Trials, however, have proved the The new store in Hamilton was one of the first in the halides we used to use, so The Warehouse can now
opposite,” says Kirkham. “With a CRI of 90+, colours world to trial the new Natural White lamps and more effectively harvest the daylight they bring into
illuminated by these full spectrum Natural White dimmable fittings, and the company’s new Sylvia their stores.”
lamps – especially reds and blues – appear more Park complex in Auckland, which includes its first The Warehouse says that having proved the
vibrant, and skin tones appear more natural. You no supermarket, has benefited from the positive gains performance and energy savings of the new 5000°K
longer have to put up with the poor colour rendering proved in the Hamilton operation. lamps and dimmable fittings, the bulk of the variety
associated with previous generation metal halide The Warehouse in Hamilton is on two floors and store area in Sylvia Park is now lit with these, as will
lamps.” they installed the 4000°K lamps downstairs and the future stores.
So while bad lighting might make you ‘see red’, new 5000°K lamps upstairs. Downstairs is static and Their recommendation is simple. “Look at colour
good lighting will make you see red so much better, lit like a traditional store, while upstairs the temperature, colour rendering and lumen output and
and one company that wants to see the best dimmable fittings respond smoothly to the weigh up all three, not just lux levels. With the new
possible red is The Warehouse in New Zealand. fluctuations of daylight coming through the roof ‘Natural White’ lamp you can consider all three and
The Warehouse’s Energy Management Team has skylights. come up with a highly effective design.”
been the company’s driving force to maximise the “The new electronic ballasts dim from 100 For more information email:
performance of the Red Shed’s lighting and to devise percent seamlessly down to 35 percent,” The Nenad Sumarac at
a specification that delivers optimum energy Warehouse says. “They provide a much greater nenads@advancedlighting.com.au
efficiency and conservation, while still meeting the
commercial imperatives of effective, quality retail
lighting.
The Warehouse is moving its branding and
presentation up a notch and needs a lighting
solution that shifts customer perceptions to this new
level. Bringing daylight into their stores is a key part
of this strategy and Venture’s new Natural White
lamp integrated with their new Opti-E dimmable,
electronic, metal halide, high bay aisle light was the
Energy Management Team’s product of choice to
achieve the desired change.
The Warehouse has been using fittings from
Advanced Lighting for over ten years and now work Retail store in the evening with artifical light High frequency dimmable electronic ballasts for 320w, 350w
and 400w options

30 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
Enter the world of
INTELLIGENT
DAYLIGHT
HARVESTING
Advanced Lighting Technologies
Intelligent Daylight Harvesting
systems offer:
• Up to 50% energy savings through intelligent
daylight harvesting
• Minimisation of energy consumption for
air conditioning, heating and lighting
• High performance, economical skylight panels
and designs
• Maximisation of the performance of natural and
artificial light with fully dimmable High Frequency
Electronic Ballast & Electronic Venture Uniform Pulse
Start Lamps in 320w, 350w & 400w options
• Economical control & design solutions for
organisations with single or multiple installations

50 % ENERGY SAVINGS

AUSTRALIA 110 Lewis Rd, Wantirna Sth, VIC 3152 T: 61 3 9800 5600 F: 61 3 9800 5533 E: sales@advancedlighting.com.au
NEW ZEALAND Advanced Lighting Technologies New Zealand Ltd. T: 64 07 579 0163 F: 64 07 579 0164 E: light@adlt.co.nz
INDUSTRY PROFILE

Visy Recycling
green office tips
Encouraging recycling and providing services to enable our customers to recycle, is
at the very core of our business but as a society we must also continue to work at
the front end. By that we mean purchasing recycled and environmentally friendly
office products, thus contributing to the many other things you can do to reduce
your environmental impact in the office to save money and make a positive
contribution to the environment.

A few key tips for a Green Office:

u Reduce the amount of paper you use each day: u Reduce your energy consumption:
u Using scrap paper for notes; u Turn off computers, when not in use;
u When printing from your computer, print two pages per A4 page, if you u Turn off office lighting when not in use;
have duplex printing, print on both sides of the page; u Activate sleep mode on your computer to switch off the screen after
u Only print out emails or documents when absolutely necessary. 10 minutes;
u Switch off office equipment at night, when leaving the office.
u Make sure you have access to paper, cardboard and co-mingled
recycling services: u Reducing your waste:
u Place all used paper, used on both sides in the Visy Recycling, office u Bring your own mug to work and have some set aside for visitors;
paper recycling floor box or desk tray; u Try and bring lunch from home or eat in a local café to avoid
u Collect cardboard boxes for recycling and place into your Visy packaging waste generated by take away lunches.
Recycling bin;
u Place your plastic bottles, aluminium cans, tin cans, milk and juice Remember if your office does not have a paper recycling or
cartons in your Visy Recycling office co-mingled bin; co-mingled recycling bin and would like one, contact Visy Recycling
on 1300 368 479 Visy makes Recycling Easy!

Does YOUR office Visy Recycling works with over 35,000 organisations in
Australia helping them divert recyclable materials from
No matter what type of
business you’re in, Visy

have a recycling landfill and conserving our precious natural resources.


Visy Recycling offer recycling services for the collection of:
makes recycling easy for you.
Contact 1300 368 479
service? • Paper
• Glass
• Cardboard • Plastics
• Aluminium • Steel
and see www.visy.com.au
to start recycling for a more
sustainable office.

32 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
COVER STORY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Going Green Today

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has suggested some changes you
can make to improve your business’ performance. These initiatives can deliver
considerable green benefits, most notably reduced costs, water and energy
savings and healthier workplaces. Their ideas are listed in this article, and many
can be undertaken immediately (so start TODAY), whilst others may require a
longer lead-time and/or a few of you planning the changes.

TODAY (& EVERY DAY) Lighting


Equipment u Remove superfluous light bulbs – that’s right, just take them out!
u Turn off all computers, monitors and other office machines when not in u Turn off lights when not in use (especially overnight and on weekends)
use (especially overnight and on weekends). and put up signs to remind other people to do so.
u Activate the energy-saving function ‘Energy Star’ that is installed on Your Comfort
most new computers. A step-by step guide is provided at u Open windows – if you can – instead of using air conditioners.
http://www.energystar.gov.au/consumers/stepbystep.html. If your Remember that most air conditioning systems provide less than 10%
computer doesn’t have energy-saving software installed you can save fresh air (no wonder you often feel sleepy!).
energy by simply switching off the monitor when not in use. Monitors u Ask your service manager to program your climate control systems to
can consume three times the energy used by your PC. turn off at the end of each day and on weekends – there’s no point
u Re-set photocopiers and printers to default to double-sided printing heating and cooling empty offices.
u Always choose the low water consumption feature on dishwashers (ie. u Don’t block up the vents above your desk to avoid draughts as this will
the short-wash option often called “Economy”). Display a sign to this only cause increased air movement for other colleagues.
effect for all users, including cleaners.
CONTINUES ON PAGE 35

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 33
COVER STORY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33
u Place signs in areas where lighting is needed infrequently reminding
u Position your computer monitor so it is perpendicular to the window to staff to turn off lights when leaving the room or building.
reduce glare. u Install ‘task’ lighting – eg an efficient lamp for your desk so that a
u Adjust the monitor brightness to match the space brightness whole bay of overhead lights doesn’t have to be turned on just for you.
surrounding your desk – this may change throughout the day. Your Comfort
u Organise an energy audit for your office. The Australian Building u Position electrical equipment (eg printers, faxes) away from
Greenhouse Rating scheme (http://www.abgr.com.au) provides thermostats to avoid false temperature readings and consequent over-
accredited assessments of the greenhouse intensity of office cooling.
buildings. A list of assessors can be found at http://www.abgr.com.au u If you use a laptop get a stand to elevate the screen to eye level to
Materials avoid glare and eye-strain
u Install a desk-side recycling bin for all paper products – you can either u Get your IT department to configure your operating system to deliver
re-use a cardboard box or ask your waste paper collection contractor pop-up messages on staff computer screens reminding staff to take a
to provide one. Most waste collection companies can provide these for break, get up and stretch, recycle etc
you. Water Conservation
u Use electronic mail wherever possible. You can also send and receive u Shut off hot water to bathrooms – using only cold water saves both
faxes electronically (ask the IT department to establish this capability energy and water. Just think of the distance hot water has to travel to
for everyone). get to an office bathroom, which is why you often have to wait so long
u Use on-line (versus hard copy) versions of items such as annual for it to warm up!
reports, information memorandums etc. Cut and paste necessary u Reduce hot water temperatures in kitchens to reduce heating costs
information and/or print needed pages only (rather than whole and also avoid accidental scalding.
reports). u Only run dishwashers with full loads, and use ‘economy’ settings,
u Avoid using cover sheets when sending facsimiles and ‘With which use less water and energy and are perfectly adequate for
Compliments’ slips when sending physical mail. washing cups and glasses
u Use two-sided printing for all letters, reports etc. Materials
u Print two (or even four) pages per single A4 sheet of paper where u Replace disposable items such as plastic and polystyrene cups,
possible. It’s easy – just nominate it via your print dialogue box (often wooden stirrers and paper towels with glasses, mugs, cutlery and
using the ‘Properties’ button). Trust us, it’s still readable! cloth. Buy enough mugs for staff and visitors and don’t let people keep
u Re-use envelopes, bags etc. Make a space in your stationery store area them as their own – so much water is wasted if everyone washes their
for people to recycle them. own mug each day – use the dishwasher!
u Re-use computer disks and CDs. u Buy only re-writable CDs and re-useable disks.
u Share periodicals with other staff to minimise multiple copies. u Make sure you buy recycled content paper. Check out the University of
u Re-use paper that is unprinted on one side for in-house drafts, fax Melbourne’s Little Green Guide to Design & Printing:
machines, photocopies etc. http://www.mpso.unimelb.edu.au/mpso/publications/green
u Re-fill toner cartridges used in photocopiers and ink-jet printers. u Introduce re-usable envelopes for internal mail.
u As well as sharing newspapers and periodicals, review ordering and u Revise distribution lists for annual reports, newsletters etc. Delete
distribution requirements – are they actually being read, and is the redundant and repeat addresses. Establish a regular review program
person they are addressed to still on staff? to maintain correct and complete databases.
Other u If your organisation is a shareholder in an Australian listed company,
u Establish a ‘Green Office’ team or committee to implement longer-term check http://www.etree.com.au (or contact the listed company direct)
and ongoing energy efficiency initiatives. to see if you can register your organisation’s e-mail address to receive
u Walk, cycle or use public transport. all shareholder communications electronically. A donation is made to
u Take your mug when purchasing takeaway coffees – you might even Landcare Australia for every eTree registration.
get a discount! u Remove your name from unwanted mailing distribution lists.
u Create a flexible work environment by giving staff that need after- u Turn boxes of unused or obsolete stationery and single-sided printed
hours computer access, remote log-in capability so they can work from paper into note pads.
home. u Place stickers on photocopiers to alert staff to the double-sided
printing option button.
NEXT WEEK u Set all office printers to default to double-sided printing; staff can
Equipment override this option if single-sided printing is required.
u Implement office policy to minimise unnecessary equipment use. u Designate a paper tray on all photocopiers and printers for re-using
Introduce an incentive scheme to encourage staff. single-sided printed paper.
u Ensure that your organisation’s purchasing policy sources the most u Provide waste sorting bins to enable staff to separate and recycle
efficient equipment and requires suppliers to provide proof of waste such as paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, aluminium, toner
performance. See cartridges, mobile phones batteries etc.
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/energyefficiency/appliances/labelling/i Other
ndex.html u Use indoor plants to filter pollutants from indoor air, release oxygen,
u Provide an efficient under-sink filter/chill water system to discourage increase the relative humidity (in airconditioned offices) and create a
staff from buying plastic water bottles (or at least encourage them to more natural, pleasant and healthy working environment.
re-fill them). u Sign up to a water management and conservation program –
u That sweet smell you detect in the print room is toxic ozone gas and eg Sydney Water’s Every Drop Counts Business Program for
sometimes a cocktail of other gases. Get your print rooms ventilated business customers who spend more than $70,000 per year
separately to your regular air conditioning. on water and related charges (see
u Consider flat screen monitors as they use 1⁄3 of the energy. Laptop http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourBusiness/HowCa
computers use even less! nWeHelp.cfm) or in Victoria enter the Savewater! Awards:
Lighting http://www.savewater.com.au/default.asp?SectionId=18&SortTag=15
u Replace light bulbs with lower wattage or compact fluorescents.
CONTINUES ON PAGE 37

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 35
COVER STORY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

u Sustainability Victoria’s recently revamped website holds the key to a


wealth of resources including Waste Wise office, hotel, events, and
catering toolkits http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au

NEXT MONTH/YEAR
Equipment
u Consider buying or leasing flat screen monitors – they are very
energy efficient.
u Install water-saving devices or flow restrictors in kitchens and
bathrooms. Ensure AAA-rated showerheads are fitted in any shower
cubicles and consider using a timer to minimise the length of
showers taken.
u Install surge detectors to avoid accidental damage to your
equipment.
Lighting
u Older style electromagnetic ballasts cause perceptible light flicker
that can cause headaches and nausea. The vibration also causes an
audible hum. Replace electromagnetic ballasts with electronic
ballasts which are not only more energy efficient but operate at a We are honoured to have been
higher frequency and produce virtually no detectable flicker or noise.
u Install intelligent lighting controls including motion detectors, chosen to receive the
separate zone switching and after-hours timers and photo sensors to
automatically turn off bays of lights when natural light is ample.
u Design your office layout to maximise use of natural light - artificial
FMA
lighting typically accounts for at least 15% of the total energy Environmental
consumption of an average office building so it’s worth trying to
reduce this reliance. Achievement
u Your Comfort
u Have your heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems regularly Award
serviced to ensure they operate at maximum efficiency. Most air
conditioning simultaneously runs heating and cooling processes to For our SHAW METHOD
try to maintain the often prescribed 22 degrees Celsius. of Air-Conditioning installation
u Remember that horizontal blinds and shading devices are more
effective for north-facing windows, and vertical blinds are more
at the ART GALLERY of South Australia
effective for east and west facing windows.
Materials This complements awards from…
u Buy non-toxic cleaning supplies in bulk or condensed forms, and in
recycled or recyclable containers.
u Buy chlorine-free, high-recycled content paper and tissue products.
Choose similarly environmentally-friendly paper products for
company business cards, Christmas cards etc. Better still, don’t send
Christmas cards at all!
u Buy re-manufactured or refillable toner cartridges for printers and
photocopiers.
u Establish a ‘re-distribution room’ to enable staff to deposit and re-use
surplus office materials including computers, telephones, mouse-
pads, pens, pencils, rulers, staplers and even furniture before buying
new products. Donate stockpiled items to schools or charities.
Other
AIRAH NECA
u Hold conferences, workshops and other special events in the office or
National Winner National Winner
nearby and/or use video-conferencing.
Award Of Excellence Environment &
u Introduce and promote a ride-sharing scheme.
For Sustainability Energy Efficiency Division
u Choose Green Power from your electricity supplier to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. See http://www.greenhouse.gov.au for
more information. For further information contact
The following websites will provide you with more ideas and information: Wayne Ryan of
u A Guide to Purchasing Recycled Content Office Paper from Resource
NSW: http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/officebuildings
u Waste Reduction in Office Buildings – A Guide for Tenants
http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/officebuildings
u Waste Reduction in Office Buildings – A Guide for Building Managers
http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/officebuildings Tel: 08 8363 3155
u Better Practice Guide for Waste Management in Multi-unit Dwellings
Email: wryan@airconserve.com.au
http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/data/MultiUnit Dwellings.pdf
Web: www.airconserve.com.au

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 37
GREEN BUILDING CASE STUDY

Keeping it green
A case study of 500 Collins Street
500 Collins Street in Melbourne is the
first and oldest Australian CBD office
building to be retrofitted to achieve a 5
Green Star Rating.

T
he six-star rating system, established by the Green Building
Council of Australia, was created to assist the property industry in
its move towards sustainable development. Built in the 1970s, the
28-storey office building1 was long overdue for an upgrade when it
was purchased by the Kador Group in 2002. After deciding to ‘green’ 500
Collins Street, the Kador Group also agreed it was essential to maintain 80
percent tenant occupancy rate throughout the retrofit to ensure the
project remained commercially viable.
Kador Group1 put together a team which included architects Peddle
Thorp, façade engineers Connell Mott MacDonald, project managers Bovis
Lend Lease, services engineers Umow Lai & Associates, structural
engineers Robert Bird & Associates and environmentally sustainable
design consultants, Sustainable Built Environments.
Construction began in early 2003 and throughout the project Green
Star Accredited Professionals have been engaged and consulted.
To ensure optimal building performance independent commissioning
agent was appointed, an environmental management plan was
implemented and a comprehensive waste management plan implemented
to divert 80% of construction waste from landfill.
Several strategies and design features were actioned in the 500
Collins Street building to ensure a successful ‘green’ retrofit and to
guarantee the building would eventually be as environmentally efficient
as possible.
Information supplied courtesy of the Green Building Council of Australia2
Indoor Environment Quality
u 50% improvement in fresh air rates relative to Australian standards
u Carbon dioxide monitoring and control u Secure bicycle storage facilities and change rooms
u High frequency ballasts Innovation
u Thermal modeling to optimize comfort levels u Active and passive chilled beam air conditioning in an occupied multi
u Acoustic modeling to ensure building services contribute minimal tenanted building
noise u Comprehensive pre and post occupancy study to assess the
u Low-VOX paint, carpet, sealants and adhesives throughout the productivity impact of tenants moving from old space to refurbished
building space
Energy Emissions
u Energy efficiency modeled to achieve an estimated 5 Star ABGR u Low Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) refrigerants
u Tenancy sub-metering to enable effective energy monitoring u Refrigerant leak detection
u Chilled-beam air conditioning system designed to reduce energy u Reduced flow to sewer through use of efficient fittings
consumption u 500 Collins St has also been certified as the first Waste Wise office
u Variable speed drives on major plant and equipment building in Melbourne under the EcoRecycle Victoria Waste Wise
Water Program3.
u Waterless urinals The certification is one of the steps ECS Property Services has taken
u 3/6 L dual flush toilets to turn 500 Collins St into a more sustainable building, another is to work
u Rainwater and condensate collection for landscaping with tenants on behalf of the owners of 500 Collins St by providing
u Water efficient cooling towers recycling services in tenancy contracts and actively encouraging and
Materials supporting the tenants to reduce their waste.
u Dedicated recycling waste storage area including worm farm
u Re-use of structure and facade Chilled Beam technology – 500 Collins Street
Transport Reprinted courtesy of A.G Coombs ‘building efficiency’ magazine
u Reduction in car parking spaces, with a greater proportion of small car The Chilled Beam technology applied in 500 Collins St certainly
spaces delivers optimal energy outcomes for building owners and occupiers, but

38 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
GREEN BUILDING CASE STUDY
the technology presents its own unique challenges, not the least of which working relationship develop between the designers and the contractor’s
is the building façade has to be virtually an airtight envelope. Focused on engineering and commissioning teams. Early resolution of a number of
projects, services and advisory, A.G Coombs4 were on hand to provide the design, installation and commissioning details have provided benefits to
solutions, and to collaborate in providing some ‘smarts’ in the project the team and ultimately a better outcome for the Client and future
delivery process. tenants.
Implementing a staged conversion of a CBD building from a dual duct A key insight from the process has been that the Green Star approach
to a chilled panel system presented a number of major challenges for the refocuses resources to bring commissioning forward in the project
project team. delivery process with the benefit that site resources are utilised more
A partnering strategy developed on the project fostered through the effectively and costly wastage and abortive works are reduced offering
Client’s focus on the project delivery methodologies encompassed in the the possibility to reduce total costs.
Green Star approach. The 500 Collins Street experience demonstrates the An additional benefit has been the development of a single air
clear benefits that can arise from Green Star and the partnering strategies conditioning knowledge base which progressively captures and integrates
it evokes to deliver complex projects. the knowledge gained through each phase of the air conditioning system
A.G. Coombs’ involvement with the project commenced during the design, installation and performance tuning process. The Operating and
design process with the provision of façade pressurisation tests to Maintenance manual becomes a key resource providing information not
determine the air tightness of the façade; an important determinate in only necessary to operate and maintain the system but also information
relation to the design of the chilled beam system and the ultimate energy necessary to manage the system and optimise its performance for the
performance of the building. A special test rig developed by A.G. Coombs long term.
provided variable pressure and air flow to a sealed section of a typical 500 Collins Street in many respects is able to set benchmarks for
floor. Measurements completed to NEBB certified standards provided major CBD building refurbishments, but it should also be seen to
useful information in relation to the façade and floor to floor air leakage demonstrate the intrinsic value that the Green Star approach can bring to
rates and the confidence to implement the chilled beam solution for the a project team through smarter project delivery strategies.
building. This investigative testing involved use of Inspection Test Plans,
(ITPs) as well as close collaboration between the designers and A.G. References and Resources
Coombs to fine tune the commissioning methodology as the testing 1 Sustainability – one step at at time. By Adam Carey, EcoLibrium, February 2006
progressed. 2 Green Bulding Council of Australia. 500 Collins Street Case Study
Once in construction, the implementation of a Green Star 3 EcoRecycle Victoria Website
commissioning strategy was based on the CIBSE Commissioning http://www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au/www/extensions/publications/template/newsletter_artic
Management Guidelines. The commissioning process commenced with a le.asp?id=1037
commissionability design review and continued through each stage of the 4 A.G Coombs building efficiency magazine
project to the final hand-over when the system will have been optimised
through a 12 month tuning process. This process has seen a close
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fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 39
INDUSTRY PROFILE

Lamp Recycling –
The responsible thing to do
E
nergy efficient fluorescent and HID It was demonstrated that the air over these in the environmentally responsible recycling of
lamps have gained widespread usage landfills contained 30 to 50 times higher levels all Mercury containing waste, including
over the years. Their increasing of Mercury than the surrounding air. With fluorescent and HID lamps.
popularity is due to the fact that estimates of between 50 and 70 million The company, with its head office based in
fluorescent lights use only about one quarter Mercury containing lamps being disposed of in Victoria and branches throughout Australia and
the energy of a common incandescent bulb and Australia each year, dumping over 13,000 New Zealand, operates a state of the art
last an average of 10,000 hours compared to metric tons of Mercury contaminated waste into Swedish recycling facility capable of recycling
750 hours. However, fluorescent and HID lamps the nation’s landfills, there is a danger that all lighting waste generated in Australia.
contain very small quantities of Mercury and improper disposal methods will transport Lamps are collected directly by the
while these products are totally safe to handle Mercury from the soil to local water sources. company or via third party associated waste
and to use, if broken, they can pose a serious Lakes, rivers and the coastal oceans have been management companies throughout Australia
risk of exposure to this very toxic neurotoxin. polluted with Mercury, rendering fish unsafe to and New Zealand using purpose built collection
Spent lighting products are the largest eat. Stillages or special prepaid collection boxes.
source of Mercury contamination in our One hundred broken fluorescent tubes Lamps are crushed and sorted into glass, metal
municipal solid waste systems and this has contain enough Mercury to contaminate about 4 and phosphor powder which contains the
raised concerns over their proper disposal. billion litres of water above unsafe levels. Mercury. The powder is then distilled with a 99%
Mercury is the most toxic chemical after Posing serious threats to the nervous, Mercury recovery rate. The collected material is
radioactive substances on the EPA list. cardiovascular and immune systems and efficiently and cost effectively recycled and
Scientific tests carried out at municipal possibly leading to death, contamination of our customers are provided with a recycling
landfills have shown that Mercury present in fish and water resources is a serious threat. certificate as evidence of responsible and
disposed fluorescent and HID lamps is The answer to Mercury contamination is the environmentally friendly recycling of their
converted by heat and bacteria into a very toxic recycling of spent lighting. waste.
and volatile gas known as Methyl Mercury which Advanced Recycling Australia Pty Ltd is the For more information contact Advanced
is then spread into the environment. only EPA licensed company in Australia involved Recycling Australasia Pty Ltd

3 5 8 6 7 6

40 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
GREEN BUILDING CASE STUDY

Solson Place
Sustainability is now becoming a fashionable lifestyle choice for the
environmentally-conscious. Evidence of future ‘green’ lifestyle villages is already
emerging, with the development of Solson Place, the largest solar powered site in
the southern hemisphere.

L
ocated in Melbourne’s Epping North1, Solson Place will feature 140 every 10 minutes for viewing.
apartments and townhouses upon its completion in late 2008. 1 information sourced Ray White Real Estate clipping in The Age, Saturday July 30, 2005
Townhouses and apartments on the 2.1 hectare development will 2 http://www.solsonplace.com.au/environ.html
have solar panels in north-facing roofs that will supply 80% of the 3 Aconex News 21 February 2007
development’s electricity and reduce greenhouse gases by 569 tonnes
every year. DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
To tackle the water conservation issue, each house will have a Deakin University is playing their part in reducing the environmental
rainwater tank2 and be fitted with appliances and smart shower heads impact of the built environment with the refurbishment of part of the
that will reduce water usage and waste. Dalgety Wool Store1 building at its waterfront Geelong campus.
Add to that an underground irrigation system and an environmentally The new design studio for the School of Architecture and Building
sensitive landscape design, and Solson Place can expect to cut water incorporates environmentally sustainable design (EDS) principles without
consumption by at least half, saving 11,620 kilolitres of water a year. inhibiting the buildings natural historical appeal.
Each of the residents at Solson Place can hold their head up high The design studio incorporates sustainable lighting, and HVAC
among fellow greenies with the knowledge that each dwelling has technologies – included in the building is solar roofing for pre-heated air
achieved a 6 star energy rating and has been designed to make the most supply and displacement ventilation and thermal chimneys which
of the earths natural resources – wind, rain and sun. High quality guarantee the reduction of energy consumption and the ultimate benefit
insulation will reduce heating and cooling costs, that coupled with with of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
crossflow ventilation will keep homes cool in summer and practically At the beginning of the project, the University’s Property Service
eradicate the need for any air-conditioning. An on-site recycling station Devision collaborated with academic staff from the School of Architecture
will also reduce waste from 147 cubic metres down to a weekly average of and Building’s research group to ensure that each design element adhered
six. to their main ESD principles maximise the performance of the building
In addition to the 140 apartments and townhouses, Solson Place will through managing and monitoring energy outputs, reduce the energy
also offer residents a café, heated lap pool, gymnasium, parklands, 1.2km used by the lighting system, work with what already exists in the building,
bike and running track and a BBQ area. reduce the heating and cooling loads of the building and minimise the size
Developers, Long Lease Property Group3 selected Aconex construction of the mechanical plant.
project management software to ensure accountability across project The project team also decided early on to ensure the existing building
teams, to increase productivity and to reduce the amount of documents was as insulated as possible from outdoor temperature fluctuations. To
printed. On the project, Long Lease Property Group Director Peter Giantsis minimise the energy used by lighting, the project team used a
manages a team of consultants which includes the architect, civil and combination of daylighting design and artificial lighting system that is
structural engineers, traffic management specialists and town planners. eco-efficent. Natural light was optimised by utilising existing windows and
Long Lease, known for being frontrunners in sustainable adding skylights. The artificial lighting that was required was provided by
develelopment, were also aware that Aconex would enable them to energy efficient T5 fluoro lights which can be individually controlled and
drastically reduce the quantity of paper used on the project. Everything are also only enabled when there is insufficient natural light available
that is uploaded to do with the Solson project can be viewed online so 1 Information provided by Sustainability Victoria report on Deakin’s Waterfront Campus
doesn’t need to be printed off and the project team make it a policy to not Design Studio
print off anything that isn’t absolutely necessary.
To keep an eye on the project, Long Lease will also be using Aconex’s
site camera facility which enables images of Solson place to be updated

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 41
ideaction 2007

A Facility Perspectives
ideaction 2007 Report
BY MAX WINTER, SUSAN KECK AND MELANIE DRUMMOND.

FMA Australia’s ideaction conferences


each tend to provide a multitude of
valuable ingredients to the Facilities
Management industry pie, and this year
was no exception. The major themes
were FM’s emergence on a global stage,
the integration of building life-cycle
components into a cohesive whole,
education and professional
development, and sustainability.
The overriding message – from the
informative Site Visits to the excellent
final presentation from the Property
Council of Australia’s CEO, Peter Verwer
however, was the same.
Facility Managers are in the box seat to
make the difference in the Built
Environment, and as an industry
waiting to be recognised, Facilities
Management’s time has come.

This year we were fortunate to have almost the entire WinterComms for the need for an outsourced FM service provider to have a multi-
Editorial Services crew on hand at FMA Australia’s premier Asia – Pacific skilled and management-oriented workforce from strategic to
Conference, ideaction 2007 entitled Striving towards a better operational level.
environment – is it important? This value added dimension of service delivery he contended, would
We decided to present our individual perceptions on what the provide a competitive advantage in the capturing and retention of new
ideaction 2007 Conference and associated social events had to offer. business in an increasingly competitive and cost-oriented market.
Geoff Dennis, President of TEFMA, presented a totally different
An outline of the ideaction 2007 Conference – Max Winter approach with much humour and humanity as he outlined his
My choice of site visit was Optus Campus and I was singularly responsibilities with TEFMA and the valuable initiatives the organisation
impressed with the level of forethought and planning that went into not had to offer facilities management. He then moved on to his role as
only the design and construction of the group of buildings that comprise Director of Facilities at University of Queensland, and making passing
the gated workplace community but the degree and scale of the entire mention of the massive budget that was his responsibility, Geoff
concept. From the water retention and recycling measures and huge outlined the significant sustainability initiatives they had developed, and
underground storage tanks, to the transport, childcare, physical fitness the practical flow on effects for the students, staff and visitors that they
needs and pre-tax meal options that were offered, the project presented provided.
a completely integrated approach to the provision of a productivity Moving onto the concurrent sessions I went to hear Dr Vyt Garnis
enabling workplace environment. from Cetec (also Chairman of the FMA Australia Indoor Ecology Special
The ideaction 2007 Conference opening keynote was a very polished Interest Group) present his session on Valuing Productivity and the
presentation by Dr Keith Futcher, the MD of ISS Hong Kong, who argued Indoor Environment. Vyt presented the Holy Grail of Indoor Ecology – a

42 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
ideaction 2007
tool for measuring and demonstrating the correlation between workplace Commitments on the Executive Media / Facility Perspectives / FMA
productivity and the Indoor Environment, and he asked whether Australia stand and elsewhere ensured that the Gala night and the FMA
Australia was ready to accept the European standard, or whether it was Australia Excellence Awards were next, and the spectre of the Sydney
ready to develop its own variant. Question time was engaging, and Town Hall’s Centennial Hall loomed large and magnificent as the organist
informative. played the theme to Phantom of the Opera and Bach’s Toccata in Fugue
The keynote PPP’s Update panel chaired by Duncan Waddell, Director in grandiose style. No wonder the Hall’s designers opted for Wunderlich
FM Intelligence, was well researched and presented with considered and pressed metal ceiling panels, thinking that the vibration from the organ
measured arguments for and against. Kenneth Davidson from The Age would bring the ceiling down – the organ absolutely dominates the rear
made a particularly insightful and scathing argument for transparency of the Hall.
in the PPP process and reminded us all that the devil is in the detail. I felt The Hall provided a fitting ambience to a wonderful night of
entertainment including the excellent comedy routines by Graeme
Bowman, networking and Award presentations as Facilities Management
excellence was recognised and celebrated by all those who attended.
The next day opened with a keynote presentation from Global FM
Directors, Steve Gladwin, and Fred Child as they brought us up to date on
developments abroad and their plans for furthering the FM agenda in
mature and emerging sectors of the globe.
John Ridley from Hyder Consulting headed the plenary sessions with
FM Leadership in a Carbon Constrained Economy and left no doubt about
where we were headed, arguing for a tipping point (of no return) of 550
parts per million in carbon emissions, an increase of 2 degrees worldwide
(currently we are at 380 ppm), and leaving us with the fervent hope that
what can be measured, indeed can (and will) be managed.
Charlie Reilly, Deputy MD of Multiplex FM followed with The
Impossible Dream? Integrating FM into the Design and Construction
process. A timely presentation given at the individual level, but backed
up with global drivers for seamless integration in Building Information
Management (BIM) Systems and the efficiencies that can be gained in a
whole of life building approach. This is where we are headed as an
industry in the Built Environment.
Peter Scuderi’s (COO, CRC Construction Innovation) presentation
Applied Research in AEC – FM Industry: Australia’s Leading Performance,
reiterated the message, and also highlighted some of the outstanding
initiatives the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation
is developing.
Given the amount of detail to be imparted, Paul Sedman, Manager
Major Projects, Optus presented a fast-paced keynote address on the
Optus Campus project, and the plans (four years in the making) for
moving 6500 Optus staff from three separate facilities, commencing in
August. Key to the success of the project he noted was staff buy-in and
good communication.
Carolyn Burns, National Director Strategic Consulting for Jones Lang
LaSalle was my choice for the concurrent sessions, where she presented
Delivering a Smarter, Better, Mobile Environment. Carolyn took us
through the strategies and pitfalls of moving to a more mobile
environment, and provided a few case studies as examples to illustrate
ideaction 2007 Site Visit: Optus Campus. Photography Larry Pitt. her point.
Other commitments in the interim meant that I was fortunate
question time was too short, and could have easily taken another half enough to be present at the final Keynote presentation by Peter Verwer,
hour. Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia, who
Having dealt with some commitments I was able to attend the Brian unceremoniously (and with some humour) reminded us that we were
Purdey (M.D of KODO Pacific) Concurrent session on Delivering Maximum just mucking round at the edges of innovation; what we really needed
value from investment in property, and hear of his work with probe* and was to embrace the Building Information Modelling (BIM) and
productivity topographic maps in gauging employee satisfaction with interoperability standards utilised in the FM Action Agenda FM Exemplar
their workplace environment within a government building. The MABEL Project: Sydney Opera House.
(Mobile Architecture and Built Environment Laboratory) team then This he argued, would provide the quantum leap forward facilities
swung into action to place scientific metrics against the satisfaction management needed to gain its rightful place as a voice at Board Room
ratings and found that there were practical issues and solutions to be level, since these technologies would enable facility managers to drive
found, proving (over a series of such projects) that employee efficiencies in the management of their facilities more effectively and
satisfaction ratings are reasonably accurate indicators of real provide the savings needed to improve building investment earnings.
environmental issues that affect workplace productivity. He contended that due to increasing pressure on investment
*probe© workplace performance evaluation is used to measure the critical returns, facility managers were really in the box seat to make the
factors that can impact upon the health, comfort, satisfaction, work difference needed in an increasingly competitive environment.
effectiveness and productivity of employees in a built environment. Data on It was an enjoyable and informative Conference, and one that in my
90 workplace performance factors in 15 key result areas can be rated opinion, reinforced the notion that facility management’s time as an
against local benchmarks to guide performance improvement planning. industry has indeed come.

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 43
ideaction ‘07: passion & talent in abundance
ideaction 2007

ideaction 2007 –
Impressions
BY SUSAN KECK, HDIPT, GDIPED, GRADCERTBUSAD, ANZIIF (MEM)

I sensed an undercurrent of energy and


direction pervading ideaction 2007 – a
sense that facility management is the
emerging profession of the twenty-first
century.

I
t is becoming increasingly apparent that facility management is
going to be pivotal in effectively meeting the challenges and needs of
sustainability and technological advance. That facility managers be so
placed, comes from their role in determining, recommending and
implementing the most efficient, effective and sustainable processes for
managing a facility.
The ideaction 2007 Program seemed designed to help define and
advance this role:
1. Sustainability was again a significant theme.
2. One of the marks of a profession is a cohesive body of knowledge.
Education is critical to development of the knowledge through
research, and the establishment of standards through teaching and
accreditation.
3. Site visits demonstrating the complexity of facility management in
practice, dealing with people, process and place.
On May 9, in Room Bayside 103, I listened as Melbourne University’s
Dr Richard Reed recognised the increasing role of the facility manager in
his analysis of the impact of office buildings on the environment. His presented a stimulating review of Risk and OHS on a business continuity
research profiles the entire office stock of Melbourne CBD and is intended site. It was an excellent presentation that highlighted two things for me –
to allow facility managers to gain a better understanding of where energy the value of professional education and the importance of a structured
savings can be made. The next day, John Ridley of Hyder Consulting led approach to the collection and analysis of data in support of facility
the plenary session with an address on the opportunities presented to the management.
FM industry to establish a key position of influence and responsibility in Having worked for three years at a university – mid-career – and a
relation to climate change. much longer time in professional education and accreditation, I naturally
Facility management is such a diverse industry, but one thing that went on the University of Sydney site visit.
stands out is that members are friendly, concerned and sincere. Crewing It was interesting to see a ‘place of learning’ from a different
the stands between sessions gave me the opportunity to meet with many perspective – the university has a turnover of over $1 billion a year. The
facility managers – most were interested in the FMA’s accreditation approximately 70 faculties, schools and centres are viewed by the
process and/or dropping their business card into the Facility Perspectives Campus Properties and Services Group (CP&S) as different businesses
draw. (By the way, congratulations to Tom Regener who won a dozen and different clients with different needs.
bottles of wine provided by publisher, Executive Media.) I also got to chat Like most universities it is confronted with enormous change
with some of the dedicated accreditation mentors on hand, who were management issues while lacking the same level of flexibility that exists
there to give current and potential candidates a bit of practical advice. in the commercial sector. (Not necessarily a bad thing I say).
Room Bayside 105 was as far from the main action as you could get, Australia’s oldest university, the University of Sydney is an iconic site
but it was well worth the trek. Dr James Baxter, of RMIT, spoke of the high where the preservation of heritage buildings is as important as the
demand for programs in property, valuation and construction (ten provision of twenty-first century education facilities.
applicants for every place), the difficulties in getting an education We were there to learn about the Campus 2010+ Building for the
program approved within the financial constraints on universities, and the Future program. The program covers a collection of five individual projects:
effect on the promotion of the profession and professional education. He u The Law Building
raised the question of where the next generation of teachers will come u A facility for the School of Information Technologies
from, making the point that for professions a PhD is not the tradition in u USYD—a student services building
property or facility management but it is almost essential for academic u Public Domain Project linking Camperdown and Darlinghurst
employment. campuses
Next day, in the same obscure room, I had the pleasure of listening to u Eastern Avenue pedestrian thoroughfare.
Graham Gunner speak of the ‘Butterfly Effect’ and its potential for impact With construction taking place in high use areas, we were introduced
from a facility manager’s perspective. Graham is studying for a Graduate to the facility and asset management issues, and strategies put in place
Certificate in Facilities Management at the University of Sydney, and to address them – a great source of stories to come.

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 45
ideaction 2007

A perspective on the
ideaction 2007 Conference
Leading up to the ideaction 2007 conference, I was a little nervous at the prospect
of finding myself among a few hundred facility managers. A relative newcomer to
the industry (I had no idea what Facility Management was when I first started
writing about it), I have at times found myself more than a touch overwhelmed by
a multitude of industry acronyms and jargon that seemed to serve no other
purpose than to confuse me.
BY MELANIE DRUMMOND

B
efore boarding the plane to Sydney I comforted myself with the Later that day after an informative panel session on PPP’s, and a
knowledge that I did in fact know about KPIs, building controls, delicious lunch, it was straight back into the Bayside Auditorium for
churn, staff retention, sustainable design, AS1851 (I’m sure it Keynote Speaker Dr Geoffrey Pembroke’s speech on Sustainable
will come in handy one day) and a number of other relevant and Innovation in the New Millennium. And my, what an interesting speech it
useful pieces of information. was. From first telling us how he’d earlier had a bit too much to drink from
Having chosen Taronga Zoo as a site visit, after a bit of contention his hotel minibar – “You’re not drunk if you can lie on the floor without
within the WinterComms’ team (they ALL wanted to go), I ventured out for holding on”, he went on to later boast the benefits of being a
my first real brush with the facility managers that are so important to my hermaphrodite worm. It was at this point that I stopped taking notes.
work. Often the most gullible person I know, it wasn’t until the very end (after
Instantly, I was impressed with how friendly and approachable much laughing) that I discovered Dr Pembroke was in fact a hoax speaker
everybody was. While taking our guided tour of the enclosures at Taronga, by the name of Graeme Bowman. I applaud FMA for the inspired idea of
it was easy to fall into conversation with people about their work and what adding such an entertaining Keynote speaker to the programme!
had bought them to the conference. The afternoon was wrapped up well with keynote Alex Ritchie,
I was also impressed with the friendly Taronga Zoo staff who keep Executive Director of Brand Experience. His dynamic and creative
their operation running successfully for 365 days of the year. The extent presentation conveyed succinctly the importance of creating and living a
of the construction team’s efforts on the soon-to-be-opened Great company brand.
Southern Oceans enclosure was also impressive. With just one road in and Later that night was, of course, the Gala Dinner held at the majestic
one road out, 20,000 cubic tonnes of concrete had been transported into Sydney Town Hall. It impacted upon me how important the night is for
the challenging site. The Project Manager for construction summed up the acknowledging the work being done in the Facility Management industry
difficulties the team had faced. “It’s been a challenging project working on and for celebrating its incredibly bright future.
a cliff side adjacent to Sydney Harbour; it’s the most challenging project The next morning after a good strong cup of coffee, it was time to
I’ve been involved with in 20 years.” settle into the final day of the conference. Most of my day was spent on
After seeing the giraffes against the stunning backdrop of the Sydney the FMA Australia / Facility Perspectives booth in the Exhibition centre
Opera House and bridge, it was off to Telstra Stadium for lunch and a tour which provided a great opportunity to talk with people about the
of the extensive facilities. magazine’s future editorial prospects and to gauge feedback on our first
The conference was officially, and festively, opened that evening with issue. I also had the pleasure of talking to Kerry Lodge and WiFM Chair
the Chairman’s Welcome Reception. I quickly got in the swing of the Kirsten Smith about a range of facility management topics – keep your
gambling and promptly lost half of my money on the Blackjack table, eyes peeled for those interviews in the next edition of Facility
which established the pattern my finances would take for the rest of the Perspectives.
night. The highlight was definitely meeting more friendly and positive Saying goodbye to friends I’d made during the conference was a little
facility managers. sad but I was excited about heading home with a greater understanding of
It was an early start the next morning, joining WIFM members for an the people we call facility managers. My lasting impression is that facility
informative and relaxed breakfast get-together. Speaker Kerry Lodge managers are friendly, hardworking and passionate about the industry
talked about her experiences setting up a green office programme for BP they work in – which is truly commendable in any field. My sincere thanks
10 years ago, when ‘sustainability’ was not yet on anybody’s agenda. It goes out to FMA Australia staff for making ideaction 2007 such a fantastic
was easy to see how valuable WIFM meetings are as an information- experience and I have no doubt they will endeavour to make next year’s
sharing forum. Members were clearly at ease with sharing experiences, Gold Coast Conference even better.
problems and victories encountered as facility managers.

46 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
ideaction 2007
BRANCH AND EXCELLENCE AWARDS
1 6

Award Winners
5 1. Frank Riley, Brisbane City Council, accepting FMA Australia & Programmed Maintenance Services Facility Manager of
the Year Award from Mark Piwkowski (Programmed Maintenance Services) and FMA Australia Chair Andrew McEwan
Andrew McEwan.
2. Derek Wilson accepts Branch Committee Member of the Year Victoria award from FMA Australia Chair Andrew McEwan.
3. Christine Kelly accepting her award for NSW Branch Committee Member of the Year.
4. Lex Dewar accepting his award for QLD Branch Committee Member of the Year.
5. Michael Russo, Investa Property Group, accepting the FMA Australia & Tungsten Young Facility Manager of the Year
Award from Steve Taylor (Tungsten) and Andrew McEwan.
6. Kristiana Greenwood and a victorious Victorian Branch with their award for Branch of the Year.
7. Winners of the FMA Australia & Rider Hunt Terotech Industry Achievement Award, Cooperative Research Centre for
Construction Innovation: (L to R) Peter Scuderi (CRCCI), George Spink (CRCCI), Paul Ackhurst (Sydney Opera House),
Stephen Ballesty and Andrew McEwan.
8. Wayne Ryan, Air Con Serve Co, accepting FMA Australia & Transfield Services Environmental Award from Phil Warren
(Transfield Services) and Andrew McEwan.

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 47
ideaction 2007
BRANCH AND EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Facility Management’s
Celebration of Achievement
BY MELANIE DRUMMOND

The ideaction 2007 Gala dinner was a night of glamour, entertainment and
celebration, marking its place once again as a night to remember for the Facility
Management industry. Held at the stunning Sydney Town Hall, guests were treated
to a spectacular performance on the historical organ upon arrival to their tables –
a fitting way to mark the momentous occasion.

M
aster of Ceremonies Graeme Bowman, who had impressed u Branch of the Year – Victoria
conference attendees earlier with his ‘entertaining’ keynote u Corporate Supporter of the Year – GJK Facilities Services
speech at the Conference, did a superb job of ensuring u Member of the Year – Stephen Ballesty
proceedings ran smoothly throughout the evening. From his Chair of the Victorian Branch Kristiana Greenwood spoke to Facility
opening David Attenborough impersonation act to remarking on the perils Perspectives after the Conference about winning the Branch of the Year
of being 50-something, his presence kept the evening light-hearted and awards in this year’s ceremony.
entertaining. “Winning the Branch of the Year award this year was a particularly
The Gala dinner serves as the perfect opportunity for industry special occasion as nine out of twelve members of the Victorian
practitioners to reflect and acknowledge the significant achievements that committee were at the conference to receive it! I was particularly proud as
have been made in the past year. The FMA Australia Recognition Awards my committee has worked tirelessly this past year in the interest of our
also gives FMA Australia the opportunity to acknowledge the constant members and our industry as a whole to promote the facilities
work and commitment undertaken by each of the individual State management profession. Our monthly committee meetings have almost
branches. As FMA Australia Chair Andrew McEwan so eloquently always been fully attended and the action points have been followed up
commented in his address, “As a national organisation we would not exist swiftly and thoroughly. Our Victorian members can feel confident that
if not for the hard work of all of our branches.” And without further ado, the there is an extremely capable and professional committee representing
winners were: and promoting their interests. We look forward to the new challenges and
u Branch Committee Member of the Year Western Australia – Renae changes that our next term will bring.”
Loftus The FMA Australia Awards for Excellence are the major awards for our
u Branch Committee Member of the Year ACT – Ami Sudjiman Industry and this year we congratulate the following winners:
u Branch Committee Member of the Year Victoria – Derek Wilson u FMA Australia & Transfield Services Environmental Achievement
u Branch Committee Member of the Year NSW – Christine Kelly Award – Air Con Serve Pty Ltd
u Branch Committee Member of the Year Queensland – Lex Dewar u FMA Australia & Rider Hunt Terotech Industry Achievement Award –

ideaction is proudly brought to you by our 2007 Platinum Supporter

Silver Sponsors

SUPPORTERS

48 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
ideaction 2007
BRANCH AND EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation also got a Green Square project which is due for completion in August.
u FMA Australia & Tungsten Young FM of the Year Award – Michael Both of those properties are likely to be 5 green star rated. It’s been a
Russo – Investa Property Group journey in improving the facilities standard and to a point where that has
u FMA Australia & Programmed Maintenance Services Facility kbeen nationally recognised.”
Manager of the Year Award – Frank Riley- Brisbane City Council When Facility Perspectives asked Frank what attributes are needed to
Facility Perspectives caught up with Frank Riley after the conference be successful in a facility manager’s role of such magnitude, it became
to find out what his reaction was to winning the prestigious award for clear that a multitude of skills are required to deliver the required
Facility Manager of the Year. outcomes.
“I was very honoured and it’s great to get that peer group recognition “I think to be successful in this type of role you need a certain
for an award like that. Also, managing a facilities portfolio the size of amount of patience, technical knowledge, certainly a good understanding
Brisbane City Council is not a solo act, so I really think the award was of your organisational vision and values and being able to interpret those
recognition for the hard work of my staff and our whole city property into the facilities that the organisation wants and needs. Also I think being
branch’s effort over the past few years.” able to implement initiatives and to think up smarter ways of delivering
When discussing what precipitated the award win, Frank commented support for the organisation’s outcomes is a valued skill. Facilities and
on the corporate accommodation and facilities strategy his team had property are really just a means to end for most organisations so you
developed and implemented. need to work out a way to be cost-effective, efficient and sustainable and
“We’ve stuck to implementing the strategy and it’s resulted in a much doing it in such way that is supportive of the objectives of the
higher standard of accommodation for council, particularly in commercial organisation.”
accommodation with Brisbane Square coming online very recently, we’ve Frank’s final comments on the importance of the FMA Australia FM
Excellence Awards to the industry succinctly
expressed the widespread views of the facility
managers who attended ideaction 2007.
“I think it’s very good for the industry to
take a step a back and reflect on its
achievements and an awards night like the FMA
Australia FM Excellence Awards certainly does
just that. I think FMA Australia does it better
than most in terms of a big body organisation
being able to recognise and acknowledge what
it’s achieved in the industry.”
The award is the second award Frank has
achieved recently; in August 2006 he was
awarded Corporate Real Estate Executive for
Australasia by CoreNet Global.

Branch of the Year Victoria members Mike Rowlands,


Derek Wilson, Trish Ferrier, Lou La-Delpha, Kerry Lodge,
and Kristiana Greenwood with Andrew McEwan.
Photography Larry Pitt.

OPENING KEYNOTE GALA DINNER SITE VISIT LUNCH SUPPORTER

CLOSING KEYNOTE CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 49
FM ACTION AGENDA

FM Action Agenda
reaches midpoint
BY STEPHEN BALLESTY, IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN, FMA AUSTRALIA, DEPUTY
CHAIRMAN, FM ACTION AGENDA, DIRECTOR, RIDER HUNT
STEPHEN BALLESTY

The Facilities Management (FM) Action Agenda was established by the Department
of Industry, Tourism & Resources and produced its strategic plan entitled
‘Managing the Built Environment’ in 2005. The plan set out a 20 point action plan
to improve the recognition of FM as a contributor to a more productive and
sustainable built environment through improved innovation, education and
regulatory reform.

program this year at Deakin University. Other Universities are also


considering new FM programs or increasing the FM content within existing
courses.
The update of FMA Australia’s competency framework and the
production of FM fact sheets for the CPSISC’s Regional Industry Careers
Advisors and support of future Careers Expos are also planned.

Regulatory Reform
A detailed understanding of requirements for nine regulatory issues
across multiple legislative jurisdictions has progressed with a view to
developing a National Protocol Recommendation for uniformity. It is also
intended that FM compliance guides should be developed to assist
owners, tenants and managers better appreciate the strategic role of FM
and the benefits of cross-jurisdictional harmonisation of compliance
requirements.

The three-year implementation phase has now reached its mid point Sustainability
and has already made significant progress across a wide range of Consultation regarding FM’s contribution to resolving a range of
initiatives. Highlights from our Recognition Working Group’s achievements environmental challenges has been pursued with a range of industry
on the key platforms include: groups such as the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council
(ASBEC), the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the Department of
Innovation Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (DEUS) and the Property Council of
A web based survey identifying innovation as core to business growth Australia (PCA).
and corporate success. The survey confirms that further FM innovation is Specifically input has been provided to the Warren Centre’s Low
required in the areas of services procurement and performance Energy High Rise project, the CRC for Construction Innovation’s Your
benchmarking, with the majority of respondents stating that they learn Building project and the Department of the Environment’s ESD Operations
about innovation through networking. Further development of a web- Guide for Commercial and Public Buildings.
based FM Innovation Forum is planned.
This working group recently conducted an Innovation Round Table Communications
breakfast at FMA Australia’s ideaction 2007 at which industry leaders The FM Action Agenda’s distinctive logo and dedicated website
exchanged ideas on potential research projects and innovation forums. www.fmactionagenda.org have been established. Our second
Implementation Annual Report is due in September 2007.
Education & Training Industry presentations and media releases continue to profile our
Broad engagement across the educational sector has been pursued to unique collaboration between government and industry, both here and
develop FM career pathways. This has included working with the abroad, and within the last month alone the FM Action Agenda has added
Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC) to
support the provision of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the
use of the Property Operations and Development (POD) courses
framework for FM education.
Additional to the Group’s dealings with the higher education sector has
seen the establishment of Australia’s first undergraduate FM degree

50 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
FM ACTION AGENDA
presentations in Atlanta and London to the list. On 20th June in Canberra Facility Management Association of Australia’s Rider Hunt Terotech
the findings of the FM Exemplar Project will be showcased for the fourth Industry Achievement Award for excellence in facility management
time, with the Hon. Bob Baldwin MP and myself presenting. strategy and practice. The award was presented last month at the FMA
Australia ideaction 2007 conference gala dinner in Sydney.
FM Exemplar Project: Sydney Opera House The Digital Modelling component of the FM Exemplar Project research
The FM Exemplar Project: Sydney Opera House was initiated by the also featured in two recent Arup-sponsored international awards – the
Australian Government’s FM Action Agenda, as part of a strategic Jury’s Choice category of the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
framework for managing the built environment. The research, supported Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) 2007 Building Information
by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, was undertaken Model (BIM) awards, and the Bentley Awards for Excellence 2007 award
by the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation in for BIM in multiple disciplines.
collaboration with Rider Hunt, Woods Bagot, Transfield Services Australia, As John McCarthy, Chairman of
Sydney Opera House, FMA Australia, Brisbane City Council, Queensland FM Action Agenda stated: “the FM
Department of Public Works, CSIRO, Queensland University of Technology Exemplar Project has made a
and The University of Sydney. The project was led by Rider Hunt on behalf significant contribution to the body of
of the CRC for Construction Innovation and FM Action Agenda. FM industry knowledge and has
Sydney Opera House – Australia’s most famous landmark and one of demonstrated Australia’s leadership in
the busiest performing arts centres in the world provided us with a the FM profession globally”.
challenge to showcase the value of FM, but we did it. FM Exemplar Project
reports can be downloaded free at Moving Forward
www.construction-innovation.info This article provides only a high
The FM Exemplar Project: Sydney level update, with further detail being
Opera House was completed late last provided in future editions of Facility
year, representing the output of 23 Perspectives.
participants from 10 organisations Should you wish to become more
across three research streams. The involved in the FM Action Agenda or
final report integrating the Digital directly support any of its initiatives
Modelling, Services Procurement and please do not hesitate to contact either John McCarthy as Chairman on
Performance Benchmarking research (02) 9252 6973, David Duncan at FMA Australia on (03) 8641 6608 or
streams was entitled ‘FM as a myself.
business enabler’. Thank you to all those who have assisted thus far, we are looking
The FM Exemplar Project: Sydney forward to the second half of the implementation phase and let’s make a
Opera House has now received the difference!!

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Facility Management
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For further information contact
sydney@curriebrown.com.au

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 51
ESD & THE ENVIRONMENT

Preparing for the


perfect storm

The Australian Climate


Data Bank Project
BY TREVOR LEE, DIRECTOR (BUILDINGS) ENERGY PARTNERS, AND MARK SNOW. INTRODUCTION MAX WINTER

T
here is now no doubt that changes in climate patterns are a result The Australian Climate Data Bank Project
of global warming. The increasing rate of greenhouse gases to the The Australian Climatic Data Bank (ACDB), the result of collaboration
atmosphere mean a corresponding increase in heat, and heat is by the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) in the mid-1980s, is
energy. This energy charged atmosphere is changing weather the base source for weather data in virtually all major building and energy
patterns both globally and locally, with intensifying adverse weather system simulation programs used in Australia. Prior to the recent project,
conditions being experienced further South in Queensland and the the ACDB comprised only pre-1986 data stored as hourly values – mostly
Northern Territory than before. Tropical Cyclone Larry and others are just interpolated from 3-hourly measurements taken by BOM. In the case of
timely reminders of these changes, and the need to plan for building solar radiation data for Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney, this
design changes to accommodate them. represented only three years of measurement.
In the meantime, the Southern States are becoming increasingly drier The key aims of the ACDB project included updating the ACDB data set
and warmer, providing the need to infuse intelligent design principles into using post-1986 data in addition to the earlier weather data, expanding the
buildings that are increasingly subject to ambient and radiant heat. It is number of climate zones for second generation NatHERS (Nationwide
not only the property, facilities management, engineering and House Energy Rating Scheme) tools (first generation having only 28
construction industries that are aware of the problem, the rising incidence climates) and generating for each of 69 locations a Reference
of loss and consequential damage has not been lost on the insurance Meteorological Year (RMY) being a composite of 12 typical meteorological
industry either, and it is interesting to note that one of the top ten months of best fit for a range of weather elements (as opposed to the
insurance loss and underwriting claims in history was the Sydney previously used Test Reference Year (TRY) or actual year of best fit –
hailstorms of a few years back. As a consequence of the mounting which, in the case of non-NatHERS ACDB sites, was the best fit for dry bulb
evidence for the need for a reduction in greenhouse gases, the insurance temperature only).
industry is also actively lobbying to this end. The project provides a site list of geographical coverage, including how
While efforts are being made at all levels in industry and government an alpine climate zone was defined. It also describes the method used for
to address the greenhouse gas issue, in the meantime these allocating ACDB sites to postcode locations in keeping with the 8 broadly
contingencies point to the need for better planning in the design, defined climate zones enshrined in the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
maintenance and upgrading of buildings, and to do this better information This is an important process for selecting recommended RMY data sets for
on these changing weather patterns was needed. This information is building simulation modeling and energy rating tools anywhere in
needed for the “current” climate, the foreseeable climate and the Australia. The work involved completing a thorough quality assurance
immediate past weather if the built environment is to be managed and process to check the validity of the derived climate data for each site
enhanced to fit the new and evolving reality. location.

52 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
ESD & THE ENVIRONMENT
Appropriate weather data is a necessary requirement to effectively Given that BOM had mapped interpolations for most if not all weather
evaluate opportunities to economically exploit renewable energy elements used to define the BCA climate zones, there existed an
resources and conserve fossil fuels in conventional systems. The project opportunity within the project to apply Geographic Information System
involved reviewing the range and quality of existing weather data (GIS) techniques to assign and query the most suitable ACDB climate
currently available for Australia from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) dataset to postcode locations.
and developing various mathematical approaches to extend the data from The BCA climate zone map considers the climate variables which
available measured values and satellite observations, to provide affect human comfort. These variables are temperature, humidity (or
dependable hourly data for system simulation and decision making. water vapour pressure/content of the air), heat (radiated from the sun
The project involved the ACDB site selection following consultation and from surroundings) and wind speed. The combined effect of these
with BOM, the use of geographic information system (GIS) techniques for four quantities determines how hot or cold we might feel. The project team
allocating Australian postcodes to climate zones, and a process applied to then interpreted the thematic maps and processes used by BOM and
check the validity of the updated climate datasets. Association for Computer Aided Design (ACADS)2, and a GIS overlay
process was used which enabled an Australian postcode layer to be
Geographic Coverage placed on top of the BCA climate zone map (refer to Figure 1).
The new ACDB site selection expands modestly on the number of Once all data was assessed, a thematic SQL3 database was compiled,
climate zones in the original ACDB (64 excluding off-shore territories) and allowing users to input the postcode number and be recommended the
more than doubles the number of climates available for second generation most appropriate ACDB site. The output format is provided in Excel for
NatHERS tools, (the first generation having only 28 climates). Some of easy file compatibility with prospective users, especially CSIRO in their
these additions resulted at the request and sponsorship of the Tasmanian preparation of the 2nd Generation NatHERS.
and Western Australian state governments, improving the geographic
coverage which building simulation and renewable energy experts could Compilation / Selection of Reference (typical)
draw upon and better reflect climate zone variability. Meteorological Years
It is acknowledged that different weightings for the various climate
Climate Zone Allocation elements could be used to compile/select indicative climate data sets for
Some of the issues encountered in allocating postcode areas to the months/years for different purposes. The original ACDB used dry bulb
most appropriate ACDB sites included: temperature only and selected a full Test Reference Year by progressively
u Coastal and upland postcodes include higher altitude hinterlands, eliminating full years with extreme temperature values, hot or cold, until
especially on the east coast and sub-alpine areas. A few postcodes only one year was left.
include 3 of the 28 NatHERS climate zones. The new ACDB comprises Reference (typical) Meteorological Years
u Expansive northern postcodes having more than one climate zone (RMYs) which use the weightings for solar energy and building
(generally an arid and a monsoonal one). applications adopted by the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration
u Postcodes do not always share boundaries with local government and and Airconditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) which have become the de facto
can present issues with building submissions that are dealt with at a international standard for RMY selection. For each of the 69 sites, 12
Local Government Area (LGA) level. They also do not always share typical calendar months were selected on this basis and concatenated
boundaries with BCA climate zones which have been generally into an RMY. Subsequently, Toowoomba and the Atherton Tableland were
harmonised with LGA boundaries. added in an ongoing process of enhancement.
The ACDB project has resulted in a greater accuracy of all existing 28
BCA Climate Zones NatHERS sites, now complemented to a total of 71 sites.
A description of each Building Code of Australia (BCA) climate zone is Building/thermal/PV energy performance software will be able to access
outlined in the representative map excerpt, as follows: the enhanced ACDB for more reliable results and select the recommended
Figure 1 ACDB site by postcode. The project also offers the possibility of an
enhancement of the Australian Solar Radiation Data Handbook (ASRDH) 4,
along with its computational software, providing more accurate irradiation
data for PV and other solar energy system design tools.
The 69 sites of the earlier ACDB are in use now within NatHERS with
the extra two slated for inclusion in the next upgrade. They are also
available and in use for non-housing energy compliance confirmation
where one of the two simulation verification options is applied.

PROPOSED AND POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS


In addition to considering extra ACDB site locations and the updating
and expansion of the ASRDH, potential further improvements include:
Source: adapted from www.abcb.gov.au Climate Zone map u Using internationally acknowledged TMY2 data structure to raise the
Two examples of a definition used by BOM to guide the setting of its dataset parameters to a more sophisticated level and ensure that new
boundaries are as follows: building and energy system simulation tools or upgrades have access
u CZ06 – Mild to Warm Summer, Cool-Cold Winter (Mild Temperate Zone) to TMY2.
u average January max temp <= 30°C; u Multiple RMYs to suit building and system types (eg, more weight on
u average 3 pm January water vapour pressure <= 2.1 kPa) ; and temperature for deep plan buildings);
u average annual heating degree days 1,000 to 1,999, using base u Analyse the impact on housing and ABGRS star bands. About a third of
18°C (this is the thresh-hold where edge insulation of concrete all new dwellings will be rated in a NatHERS climate zone different
slabs becomes cost-effective). from the one in which they are currently rated. A quantitative
u CZ08 - Alpine analysis of the impact of this on a range of designs is an effective
u a subset of the Mild To Warm Summer, Cold Winter (Cool input to the acceptance on the ground of the climate zone re-
Temperate Zone). allocation that this project has put into effect;
u taken as areas with an elevation above 900 metres in Tasmania u Designate data quality, then weight the spatial interpolation in
and 1,200 metres on mainland Australia. assigning a climate to any building site/postcode/municipality;

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 53
ESD & THE ENVIRONMENT
u Include “CAT modeling” (University of Adelaide) to adjust for heat Data Handbook” (1996 and 2006 editions) published by the Australian
island effects. The model generates data representing realistic site- and New Zealand Solar Energy Society of which he is a past Chairman. He
specific air temperature in a city street based only on data from served on the ABCB’s technical advisory committee on energy efficiency
standard weather stations such as those operated at local airports in housing as the delegate of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy
and descriptors of the two sites. (BCSE).
1 The RMY is a composite of 12 typical meteorological months of best fit for a range of
CONCLUDING REMARKS weather elements [as opposed to the currently used Test Reference Year (TRY) or actual
The ACDB project has resulted in a number of important deliverables. year of best fit - which in the case of non-NatHERS ACDB sites was the best fit for dry bulb
These include, all 28 NatHERS sites will be more accurate and be temperature only]. The dry-bulb temperature in turn, is the temperature of air measured
complemented to a total of 71 sites. Building/thermal/PV energy by a thermometer freely exposed to the air but shielded from radiation and moisture.
performance software will be able to access the enhanced ACDB for more 2 ACADS (1993) NATHERS climate zone allocation, ERDC Report
reliable results and select the recommended ACDB site by postcode. The www.greenhouse.gov.au/buildings/publications/pubs/feasibility_study.pdf
work also offers the possibility of an enhancement of ASRDH 4, along with 3 Structured Query Language
its computational software, and thus providing more accurate irradiation
data for PV and other solar energy system design tools. references
The project reported here deals only with the “current” climate (and ANUDEM software (2000) http://cres.anu.edu.au/outputs/anudem.php.
assumes that it is essentially constant over the period of 1967 to 2004 ACADS (1993) NATHERS climate zone allocation, ERDC Report
and beyond). Energy Partners is also engaged in developing data sets for Australian Climatic Data Bank, on IBM format diskettes, includes data for several nearby
foreseeable climates in those same locations and for immediate past (so countries, unpublished, available from ACADS, 16 High Street, Glen Iris, Victoria 3146,
called “real time”) weather data sets. These developments are being facsimile (03) 885 5974
undertaken so that building energy performance evaluation, analysis and Delsante, A.E. (1989). Extension of Australian Climatic Data Bank and Outdoor Design Data
optimisation can be carried out with reference to the actual weather (NERDDC Project 984, Final Report), CSIRO, Division of Building, Construction and
encountered (or to be encountered) rather than the RMY which would Engineering, Melbourne.
otherwise have to be assumed. Energy Partners (2005), Development of Climate Data for Building Related Energy Rating
Software, Report to the Australian Greenhouse Office, Canberra (unpublished at the time
Acknowledgments of writing)
The project was completed through funding support from the Hutchinson,M.F. and Gallant,J.C. (2000). Digital elevation models and representation of terrain
Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO). The work was carried out by Energy shape. In: Wilson,J.P. and Gallant, J.C. (eds), Terrain Analysis, Wiley, New York, Chapter 2,
Partners in association with the Centre for Applied Mathematics and pp 29-50.
Statistics at the University of South Australia (CIAM) and with Adelaide Lee, T.R (December 1991) Defining the Solar Resource ... Just when we thought we had arrived,
Applied Algebra (AAA). editorial, Solar Progress, Vol 12, No 3&4
The support and review of state and territory government officials Lee, T.R (1993) The Australian Solar Radiation Data Handbook - Progress Report on the Third
involved in the updating of the NatHER Scheme is gratefully Edition, Proceedings of the ANZSES Solar ‘93 Conference, Perth
acknowledged. The ad hoc contribution of history, critique and advice is Lee, T.R., Oppenheim, D. and Williamson, T. (1995) The Australian Solar Radiation Data Handbook
also acknowledged from Dr Angelo Delsante (CSIRO), Dr Ernest Donnelly (Edition 3), Energy Research and Development Corporation, Canberra (distributed by
(ABCB), Dr Peter Lyons (then Arup), and Murray Mason (ACADS-BSG) at ANZSES)
key points in the project. Lee, T. R, Snow, M. and Stokes, B. (2006) The Australian Solar Radiation Data Handbook (edition
We would like to extend our gratitude for the professionalism shown 4), published by ANZSES (www.anzses.org)
by key staff at the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) during the project, Lee, T. R, Snow, M. and Stokes, B. (2006) AUSOLRAD (version 2), the software companion to the
confirming again the value and importance of a developed, Australia-wide Australian Solar Radiation Data Handbook published by ANZSES (www.anzses.org)
network of well equipped terrestrial climate measurement stations. Lee, T. R, Snow, M. and Stokes, B. (2005) The Australian Solar Radiation Resource Updated, in
proceedings of ANZSES Solar 2005, University of Otago, Dunedin
About the Author Ridley, B and Boland, J. (2005) Development of Climate Data for Building Related Energy Rating
Trevor Lee, ARAIA, B.Arch(hons) Software, in proceedings of ANZSES Solar 2005, University of Otago, Dunedin
An architect by initial training, Trevor is a consultant on energy Szokolay, S.V., (1988) Climate Data and its use in Design”, Royal Australian Institute of
conservation in the built environment through his multi-disciplinary firm Architects, Canberra.
Energy Partners. His interests include solar energy applications
and climate data. He is the lead author of the “Australian Solar Radiation

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fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 55
GLOBAL FM REPORT

Interview with Stan Mitchell


Global FM
BY FACILITY PERSPECTIVES’ MAX WINTER
Facility Perspectives: What are the things to come out of the with FMA Australia and other associations and groups.
meetings this time around for Global FM? We created our four key objectives or themes, such as financial
SM: Well Global FM is currently one year old and as you can appreciate management, education and professional development, internal
we have done a lot of the groundwork to ensure that the basis for the perspectives of policies and procedures and communications to ensure we
governance and operation of Global FM is sound. There are a whole set of have transparency in what we do, and member and stakeholder benefits.
problems when you want to operate from an international perspective and The next step is to establish the measures against these key
some of them are obvious and some of them are not. objectives and this is something we hope to have in place by July 1. Out of
The problem we experience at the moment is that FMA Australia has that we will establish the actions against which these measurements can
been involved as a foundation member for some three years now and so be taken, and of course this will be a continual refinement process of
for FMA Australia members there is an expectation of some deliverables evaluating effectiveness and taking corresponding action.
from a three year old perspective, and we are very conscious of that. In relation to the workshop; it was the third workshop that we have had
The workshop that we had here was the third International Workshop and each of the workshops have been very different and have evolved, in
and alongside the FMA Australia ideaction 2007 Conference we also had part, because of our audience.
our Board meeting. Since the directors of the Board are from different The first one was held in San Diego and it revolved around what the
regions of the world and have full-time day jobs, the practical issues of stakeholder requirements and expectations were. The second one was held
getting people together means that it is not something you can do every in March in England, which built on the first in that we asked people to
couple of months. bring along what they considered were identifiable hot topics.
That said, the Board meeting we just had was strategically very We then did a comparison with stakeholder groups and associations
important. When we first started we ensured that the systems were from all around the world, who each brought their own perspective. We
properly developed with considerations such as Balanced Scorecard then prioritised them and arrived at a group consensus on what order they
approach and identified areas of focus. The Board meeting we just had should be. We arrived at six hot topics, and from memory some of these
effectively gave us a blank sheet to start with in terms of establishing were Sustainability, FM Futures, Innovation, FM Risk Management, and
what it is we want to deliver, and part of this is the engagement process Education and Training.

56 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
GLOBAL FM REPORT
What we did with this workshop, because we have a different emerging and will emerge with the global marketplace in their sights as
audience, a different group, is to play that back and gain some validation. being their potential workplace. It is not for our generation – it is for the
Each time we meet with a different group or have a different audience we next generation, and if we can provide these standards, awareness and
gain another dimension to the complete picture. For example, we gained tools to provide a level playing field across the globe, then that will be a
some critique on sustainability and where we are in that space, because at fantastic member benefit.
the moment everyone is in that space, and we need to establish who our One of the pieces of research we intended to undertake was to look at
audience is and what their expectations are. the question of the future of our industry – where are we headed as an
One of the core objectives of Global FM is to represent the FM industry sector? One of the benefits to come out of the workshops is that
communities with one voice, and if we are all serious about what we do in we found that IFMA had already done a sizable piece of research on that
FM, whether you are an association, a service provider or a university, if we very topic, and so we are in the position of being able to internationalise
don’t start talking with one voice, no one is going to listen. that for the benefit of all our members. Consequently FMA Australia does
We see this as being mission critical. not have to start the research on that level. They have the benefit of that
So the outcome of our research to date is that very soon you will see a research work already done.
list of projects or focus objectives from Global FM that will present Global Part of the excitement of Global FM is the realisation that we cannot
FM as an umbrella organisation for all these disparate stakeholder groups. live in isolation to outside influences, we live in a global world and there
At that stage we will be looking to the corporate players of the world to ask are a host of opportunities that we can exploit to make the most of that.
them for project funding. We have to arrive at a roadmap for that process and be able to provide the
While we are a not for profit organisation, the funding that we receive answers; otherwise we miss the target and lose the opportunity.
from FMA Australia and other associations allows us to manage our In terms of membership, the full voting members are the member
membership. To fund these projects, we need to go outside the centric national associations, and the affiliate grades of membership are
associations and gain sponsorship from industry internationally, in order the other stakeholder groups.
to deliver value back to the members locally, around the globe. At the moment we have just had Hungary join as a full member, and for
The objective is to deliver the value back to the FMA membership, the a lot of people in Hungary, English is not necessarily their second
universities and the FM industry generally. This is what has come out of language, so we have to develop the communication tools and mentoring
the workshops. programs to assist them in maturing their industry.
In education and training for example, Australia has their own set of In this way Global FM contributes toward building a global FM
standards, which are not dissimilar to U.K standards, but in the UK they are community for the benefit of its members.
arrived at in a completely different way. What we need to do is to evaluate The reason Global FM came together is that the three founding
and understand the differences so that we can aim for recognition of associations started talking to each other, and the benefits to come out of
qualifications internationally, and also be able to provide these standards that already are immeasurable. We need to establish what the agenda is,
for the understanding of new and emerging FM industries internationally. and then take a leadership position in setting it collaboratively for the
These measures are for the new facility managers, those who are benefit of all.

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 57
FEATURE: PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The Changing Face of


Project Management
BY MELANIE DRUMMOND

MELANIE DRUMMOND

Huge strides have been made in providing the tools necessary for the application
of the increasingly complex profession of Project Management, but as Facility
Perspectives’ Melanie Drummond found out, skill shortages are not unique to
Facilities Management. Melanie spoke to David Dombkins, National President of
the Australian Institute of Project Management, about the changing face of Project
Management in Australia.
Facility Perspectives: What are some of the issues you see facing have changed, so you still need to know about scope, quality, cost, risk –
project managers today? all those basic things, but now we need a whole set of new skills as well.
There are a couple of really big ones. For a start, many people have You need leadership skills, organisation/design skills; you need strategy
become Project Managers accidentally in their careers so the name Project skills, performance management skills and change management skills.
Manager is used very broadly and regularly inappropriately. We find there What’s happened now is that these Project Managers, who have the skills
are a lot of Project Managers working who have effectively had no training that might have survived in an operational world with a stable project, are
in Project Management. no longer adequate.
In some places the hours required to be a Project Manager is as little I would say the profession is now merging so what we’ve got is three
as 80, so what we’ve got is a whole stack of people who call themselves different types of project managers. We’ve got the truly complex project
Project Managers who don’t know what scheduling is or what cost mangers – and there are very few of them in the world, then you’ve got
estimation is. They simply don’t know what the fundamental basics of your traditional project managers that do the simpler projects and what
Project Management are. we’ve now got is a new group of project managers which we’re calling
When we go to have a look at the ‘Project Managers’ who are having executive project managers who have other political skills on top of
problems in major corporates and government agencies we discover they traditional skills.
don’t have a programme, they don’t have a risk plan. If they do have a What we’re looking at now is defining that internationally and
schedule, they get an outside consultant to do it for them and then they developing courses to help train those people – the new standard for
don’t know how to use it. They become post boxes, not Project Managers. executive project management is likely to be formally launched this
Facility Perspectives: How do you think Project Management has month (May). The new project management standard will identify nine
changed in Australia in the recent years? totally new views; a totally different philosophical model to traditional
Basically now there are two main types of projects – simple projects Project Management; it operates in an anti-positivist model which is really
and complex projects. Simple projects tend to be ones where you can use where there is no such thing as certainty.
the normal project management tools and guarantee project certainty. Facility Perspectives: What training courses are available in Australia
Complex projects are where there’s no such thing as certainty, the projects for training in Project Management?
are subject to emergent strategies and are subject to technological We’ve got about 280 courses at the moment and almost all of them
change. The actual core of the project is complex and remains complex. are focused on traditional project management. I think you’re going to find
For example a change management programme that includes Information over the next two years that there is going to be a real change in what is
and Communication Technology (ICT) is very complex. taught and what is expected of project management education. AIPM sees
In the 70s, 80s and 90s we’d see long-range strategic planning which a distinct need for a stronger relationship between AIPM, the Universities,
has now been totally disproved. It’s now accepted that you cannot do long Government/Industry and the individual practitioner.
range planning for more complex projects, you’re lucky if you can even Facility Perspectives: How does the Australian Project Management
plan three months ahead. If you look at the tool sets and the methodology industry compare globally?
you need for a simple project versus a complex project, they’re totally Australia has been a leader in Project Management since the early 70s
different. because of our mining and heavy infrastructure. We’ve also had a number
Another issue facing project management is that many simple of pioneering companies like Lend Lease who have been fundamental -
projects are now being executed in complex environments so the project they were the training ground for many of the better Project Managers in
itself remains simple but the environment they’re implemented in has the early days. Because of that we were able to get the AIPM together
become quite complex with political change, environmental change and fairly early due to a lot of people who gave their own time up to drive it. I
contribution from major stakeholders. would say that we are one of the most mature and strongest PM
Facility Perspectives: Are Project Managers sufficiently equipped to associations in the world. We’re also the only PM association in the world
adapt to the increasingly complex environment projects are undertaken where the training and certification are linked. In fact the Vietnamese
in? want to take the whole Australian system for PM training and certification
The traditional set of competencies you need to be a Project Manager and put it in place in Vietnam as the model for the future.

58 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
FEATURE: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Facility Perspectives: Lead times for projects are getting shorter,
how is that affecting Project Managers?
Lead times are increasingly getting tighter and tighter, you don’t
have time to train, you don’t have the luxury of being able to sit back and
plan scenarios of early works – you’ve got to put together structures
that are much more flexible and are able to keep the parties aligned even
though the project is evolving.
Facility Perspectives: How have you seen collaborative tools
develop in PM?
Collaborative tools are central to the industry. We started off with
partnering in about 1988, partnering was an overlay we put on as a
vehicle to create collaboration on traditional adversive contracts and that
was quite effective, but partnering is limited – it can help but even in
traditional contracts we’ve moved away from that and we’re seeing
project alliances, governance contracts and lead system integration
contracts.
For example on a project I’m working on at the moment, the time
frame we’ve got is two years and we will have on that contract at least
ten major contractors. They’re all going to be working across a 57 acre
site together so as you can imagine the configuration survey
management and integration/co-ordination required for that is
incredible. What I do to deal with it is put together a collaborative
contract which enables an integrated team type model, that way the
contractors all come together to form a single project organisation and
that’s the sort of thing we regularly do these days because one
contractor doesn’t bring all the skills, I need a half a dozen different
contractors to bring all the different skill sets in.
Facility Perspectives: Can you use that concept on a smaller scale?
We can take a similar model and we’ve used it in Western Australia
with their roading contracts and up in South Queensland at the moment
with all the new infrastructure developments happening up there, they’re
using alliance contracts almost exclusively.
Facility Perspectives: Are relational contracts likely to become
commonplace?
When we first put it out in the early 90s it was quite unusual, it was
very rare. Now people like Transfield Services, United Construction group
and others, they would do about 90 percent of their work using that sort
of contract now.
These relational contracts are now the dominant form of contracting
used in Australia for major projects and those skill sets are going down
further and further as it becomes more embedded in the organisations,
so they’re using it for lower and lower level projects.
Sustainability is a big issue in every corner of the commercial built
environment at the moment. How do you think it will affect the project
management industry in the future?
What I see coming is that people are starting to look at what they
can do about sustainability on major buildings and major infrastructure
projects. They’re asking what the issues are. I think as well that there is
going to be a huge market in retrofitting buildings. I think sustainability
is now becoming something that Project Managers knew nothing about
before and now they’re beginning to understand it. They’re looking at
heat transfer, at their optimal design and power usage – but it’s still
fledgling. I think you’ll start to see it become very strong in the next two
years.
Facility Perspectives: So you see retrofitting being a major part of
the next five years for Project Management?
I think it’s going to become a major marker, I think it will be a multi-
billion dollar industry in the near future. Superannuation funds and other
corporates need to be seen to be green and that will bring about a large
number of retrofits because a lot of these buildings are just exceptionally
wasteful at the moment. I think there’s a huge capacity to cut the power
consumption in major buildings, if you wanted to you could probably cut
the power consumption in major buildings by up to 60 percent. There’s
some real work to be done there and I suspect its going to become the
major area of focus in project management.

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 59
FEATURE: PROJECT MANAGEMENT

In January 2008, Queensland’s Bond University will offer an International Executive masters in Project
Management. The course will be a joint venture of the world’s leading universities who specialize in project
management namely: Lille Graduate school of Management (Christopher Bredouillet), Maryland
University (John Cable), NASA (Ed Hoffman), and Bond University (Andrew Leicester).
Facility Perspectives’ Melanie Drummond talked to Associate Professor of Project Management at Bond
University, Andrew Leicester, about the need that precipitated the development of the new course and what
lies ahead for education in the Project Management Industry over the next few years.
Facility Perspectives: Why has Bond University implemented the new 20 years ago there was little training in Project Management and little
Masters programme? recognition of its importance in the commercial/ industrial sector. That has
The course came about because of the need for a program that changed dramatically and is reflected in the increasing membership of
focused on the international aspects of project management rather than the professional project management organisations such as the Project
the national or organisational aspects of project management. Management Institute (PMI) with nearly 250,000 members worldwide, the
It is targeted at organisations that work in the international arena and Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) with 10,000 members,
who want to expose key staff to internationally focused training and the UK based Association of Project Managers (APM) with 15,000
education in Project Management that includes cutting edge research. members and the International Project Management Association (IPMA)
From our knowledge of existing courses and their structure the with 40,000 certified professionals internationally, and many others in
international aspects were a gap that was not being filled. Whereas the various countries.
reality today, especially with major projects, is that organisations Today we see many organisations that recognise the value of Project
demonstrate many features of “internationalism” in the projects they run Management. I would hesitate to state that it represents a recognised
or initiate: career path for Project Managers in Australia; I would suggest that some
u They use international teams organisations recognise project management as a career but by no means
u The physical location of the team may differ from the physical location all.
of the project Things are improving, but PM as a career path is by no means
u The project may be repeated in different countries, universal or universally recognised as a career.
u The project may use international funding Facility Perspectives: What skill sets does Bond Uni teach in Project
u Projects may be located in varying economies and cultures Management?
u Projects may utilise human resources at all levels that are Bond teaches the full range of skill sets that assist graduates to
internationally sourced effectively fill positions as project, program and portfolio managers as
u Materials and Plant may also have to be procured internationally they gain their practical experience. In common with many other
In addition when one examines major projects (there are at least 20 institutions we do not admit students to our project management
currently underway in Dubai such as Burj Dubai, Lagoons, Dubai world, programs without a prior period of appropriate industrial/commercial
and Dubai airport), they are all programs (that is, a number of projects experience.
that all contribute to the overarching objectives of a program) and Facility Perspectives: How do you feel Project Management is
therefore both program and portfolio management become important changing in Australia?
aspects of the world of international projects and the course that is being There is now a growing recognition of the importance of Project
offered. Management and recognition that Project Management does make a
These are the kinds of areas that the course will examine and discuss difference. As project organisations develop competency in Project
giving participants a unique insight and skill set at its conclusion. At the Management they are now starting to look at the benefits of program and
same time the course does not ignore the widely accepted fundamental portfolio management as pathways to link and run projects within the
knowledge and skills of project management. business and strategic objectives of the organisation. I also suspect that
Facility Perspectives: What other courses does Bond University offer in the next 5 years we will see the establishment of a generally accepted
in the way of Project Management education? general theory of Project Management.
Bond University offers a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Facility Perspectives: What issues do you see surrounding the
Master’s Degree and an international executive Master’s Degree as formal Project Management industry in Australia at the moment?
award courses. Project manager shortages are compounded by a continuing boom,
We also offer short (1-3 day) executive education courses. All of these especially in Queensland and Western Australia, of infrastructure
will also be offered in Dubai and the Middle East in the near future. We also development which has previously lagged in the last 10-15 years.
offer in-house Masters Degrees courses tailored for each organisation. Facility Perspectives: What changes do you think people can expect
Facility Perspectives: How important is it that educational to see within the Project Management industry in the next 5 years?
opportunities are offered to train in Project Management? We have already seen the start of an Australian Diaspora in Project
Given the Australian and global shortage of project managers it is Management as many of our project managers take up work in overseas
essential that we train more, although it has to be remembered that the countries; this of course continues to contribute to the Australian
underpinning knowledge and theory which courses such as these offer shortage.
does not substitute for experience and commercial competency, which is There are a number of locations where the amount of development
the other side of the coin. (Project Management in particular,) is many times the total value in
It is also important to put in place formal education for all those Australia. These areas (United Arab Emirates and Shanghai for example)
people who have become project managers by accident rather than by will continue to absorb all of the project managers that can be produced
design and who have no real comprehension of the total scope of what for at least 10-15 years. I believe the industry will continue on its pathway
Project Management is but have instead focused on one or two small to professionalism as the value and credibility of project managers
areas. receives greater recognition.
Facility Perspectives: How has Project Management developed as a
career path in Australia in the recent years?

60 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
PM CASE STUDY

EUREKA!
A project management case study
of Melbourne’s Eureka Tower
BY MELANIE DRUMMOND
Photography by Patrick Beckers

T
he Eureka tower cuts a striking figure
against the Melbourne skyline, firmly
holding its place as the tallest residential
building in the world. To build the
apartment block that would one day boast 92
storeys above ground,1 construction for the
300 metre-high building started back in Client/Developer:
January 2002. Eureka Tower is still one of only
six buildings in the world that has 90 storeys
Eureka Tower Pty Ltd
or more. Architect:
The plaza for the building was completed Fender Katsalidis
in June 2006 and the building officially
Structural Engineer:
opened on October 11, 2006 to widespread
public and media attention. Connell Mott MacDonald Pty Ltd
The tower which is largely residential Mechanical Engineer:
has 556 apartments, a swimming pool, car Norman Disney & Young Pty Ltd
park, function centre, observatory and also
contains offices and a restaurant. Landscape Architect:
The façade of the tower consisted of Tract Pty Ltd
5,000 tons of reinforced steel, 110,000 Contractor:
tons of concrete, 40,000 square metres of
glass and aluminium panels and a summit
Grocon Construction Pty Ltd
that testifies to being clad in glass with a Vertical Transportation Engineer:
surface of real gold. Norman Disney & Young Pty Ltd

CONTINUES ON PAGE 62

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 61
PM CASE STUDY

Photography by Patrick Beckers


CONTINUED FROM PAGE 61
of 1200mm nominal diameter, socketed deep into siltstone; and 243 CFA
Also designed with environmental and energy-efficiency in mind, the piles of 750mm diameter founded on the basalt.
internal mass2 concrete structure stabilises the internal thermal The final solution proved to be a cost-saving success and won Vibropile
environment and to reduce energy use, double-glazed, high performance the Victoria Master Builders Association’s ‘Most Innovative Construction
glass is used to minimise heat gain and loss. Method’ award for its involvement in the project.
Maximising the use of glazed areas increases natural light permeation To undertake the magnitude of a construction the scale and scope of
and reduces the need for artificial lighting. The whole structure is encased Eureka Tower required involving project teams from over 100 organisations.
in a curtain wall skin that is insulated with spandrels, this minimises Architect Fender Katsalidis and builder Grocon realised early on that
thermal loss and allows natural ventilation through the glazing system establishing effective communication flow between project participations
which provides natural air flow and reduces the demand on mechanical would be essential in completing the project on time and within budget.
ventilation. As a solution, they used web-based collaboration system Aconex5 to
Materials used for construction were selected with a consideration for streamline communication between project teams and securely manage
life cycle, waste minimisation; low-emission products and natural materials documentation. Aconex stored all Eureka Tower project information –
were used where possible. including documents, drawings, workflows and correspondence – online
The architectural firm that won the commission for the project,3 Fender and in one central site. This allowed project members to instantly view,
Katsalidis Australia, was founded in 1997 and is a relatively small company track and share their information at any time, and from any location.
that does however, boast highly-experienced principal team members who Aconex allowed Eureka Tower contractors and project managers to
have been involved in other successful architectural firms over the past 25 track and manage drawings, approvals, schedules, requests for
years. Since its inception, FKA has quickly established a reputation for its information, variations, meeting minutes and other information in real time.
award-winning high-rise buildings. Its previous well known projects in Every document and piece of correspondence on Aconex was archived and
Australia and Asia include the Republic Tower, the Ian Potter Museum of Art, its status tracked. This version control and audit trail ensures
Bendigo Art Gallery and HM@S Beach Apartments. accountability by detailing ‘who did what and when’ and also made sure
Located in Melbourne’s Southbank area, an interesting feature of the that everyone was working from the most up-to-date version of each file.
Eureka tower is also its slenderness, it has a height to base ratio of 6 to 1, Grocon Contract Administrator, Michael Waters found that using a web-
which means concrete in the columns needs to be of a very high strength3. based collaboration system reduced costs such as couriers, printing and
The construction of the foundations proved to be a challenge4, largely administrative staff, reduced risks such as information loss and disputes,
due to the complex geological conditions on site – primarily because of the saved time, increased productivity and flagged any potential issues before
two layers of basalt above the Silurian Siltstone bedrock that occurs at a they could impact on budget or scheduling objectives.
depth of 35m. “Aconex helped to give meetings clarity and focus. Five minutes before
By providing an innovative foundation solution for Eureka tower, Keller going to a meeting, our team could produce a report of outstanding items.
(Leading Ground Engineering Specialists) Australian company Vibropile This meant we could immediately say to the architect or the client, ‘This is
believe that close cooperation with structural and geotechnical consultants all the correspondence we’ve had since the last meeting, and these are the
led to a 30% cost reduction in the building’s construction. items that are outstanding’ and get straight down to business. The
The scheme initially in place for the foundation was for 764 large accountability makes people do their job.” said Michael Waters.
diameter bored piles which would have proved expensive and time
consuming, and as an alternative solution Vibropile put together a proposal References and Resources
for using Continuos Flight Auger (CFA) piles when the conditions were 1 wikipideia online encyclopedia.
suitable for founding on the lower basalt. In places where conditions were 2 www.architecture.com
not suitable for founding CFA piles on basalt, bored piles were socketed into 3 AEC bytes www.aecbytes.com/feature/2004/EurekaTower_pr.html
the siltstone. 4 Keller – leading international ground enginnering specialists
Based on the ground investigations conducted by geotechnical http://www.keller.co.uk/klr/case/studies/row/3420444
consultant Golder Associates and consultant engineer Connell Mott 5 Aconex Eureka Tower Case Study www.aconex.com/Clients/Case-studies/Eureka-
MacDonald, Vibropile developed a solution of 28 large diameter bored4 piles, Tower.html

62 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
ESSENTIAL SERVICES

DEREK HENDRY

Building Update
BY DEREK HENDRY, DIRECTOR HENDRY GROUP*

Vic wide: You Must Pay renewal of accreditation, the record keeping of accredited certifiers, the
Property owners and facility managers entering into “construction insurance requirements for accreditation, the fees for accreditation and
work” contracts (includes partition alterations/ installation and electrical the penalties for an offence under the scheme. An overview of the Building
works) need to be aware of the recent changes to security of payment Professionals Regulation 2007 can be found at
provisions, namely the “Building and Construction Industry Security of www.planning.nsw.gov.au/planningsystem/pdf/brans/bs07_003_bpb_reg.pdf
Payment Act 2002”. Recent amendments ensure that any person who
carried out construction work via a written or verbal contract will get paid. Australia wide: Insurance and Electricity
The Act makes it easier to resolve disputes about payments thus lowering Facility managers are advised to read the fine print when they receive
costs to both parties and improving the contractor’s cash flow. Beware a building’s insurance policy document. Some underwriters include as a
that holding up of contractors’ invoices for payment now has condition, the requirement to provide a current electrical safety report
consequences. (and a requirement to act on any maintenance items mentioned). It
should be obvious that if a current electrical safety report is not obtained
NSW wide: Building Professional Regulations (and acted upon), that from a risk and insurance perspective, the building
Facility managers in NSW need to be aware of recent amendments to owner is now exposed.
the accreditation system that has occurred through the recent A fire in the building caused by a malfunctioning electrical system
commencement of the Building Professionals Act 2005, which sets the that would have been foreseen in an electrical safety report would, as a
framework for accrediting, auditing and investigating accredited certifiers. consequence, most likely result in the rejection of a claim under the
Facility managers need to be aware that consultants need to be building’s insurance.
accredited before engaging them, and request proof.
With the commencement of the Building Professionals Regulation Australia wide: BCA 2007 Catch-up
2007 (the Regulation), which came into effect on the 30 March 2007, the For anyone looking for a summary of the most recent changes to the
Regulation ensures the effective operation of the Act. The Regulation BCA which became effective on 1 May 2007 as BCA 2007, a consolidated
enables accredited certifiers to be accredited in 21 areas of specialisation list of the amendments, including any changes to referenced Australian
and specifies the work that certifiers can undertake in each category. The Standards, is available on the Australian Building Codes Board website at
categories include building surveying, electrical engineering, mechanical www.abcb.gov.au. Just follow the links from What’s New.
services and fire safety engineering, to name a few. The Regulation has
direct influence on matters such as, the accreditation scheme, the
CONTINUES ON PAGE 64

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 63
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 63

Vic wide: New OH&S Legislation * The Hendry Group of consulting companies specialises in assisting
WorkSafe Victoria is reviewing and consolidating Victoria’s building owners, property managers, facility managers, body corporate
thirteen existing health and safety (OH&S) regulations into one single managers, tenants and solicitors in all facets of building control, statutory
streamlined document to be known as the Occupational Health and obligations relative to essential services/safety measures, Building Code
Safety Regulation 2007. It is proposed the new regulations will be of Australia audits, due diligence reports, emergency evacuation
introduced on July 1, 2007. procedures and facility management through our offices in Melbourne,
The proposed regulation aims to make it simpler for employers and Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.
workers to comply with and understand their safety obligations whilst
focusing effort on controlling, rather than assessing, risks. The proposed
regulation will also allow Victoria’s approach to OH&S to more closely
reflect recently developed national standards. According to independent
analysis, the streamlined regulation will provide employers with greater
clarity on how to make their workplace safer - helping to reduce the
number of workplace injuries and deaths. Economically, it is anticipated
the streamlined regulation will bring about a general reduction in
compliance costs.

Australia wide: Don’t Ignore OH&S


Facility managers responsible for OH&S due diligence systems in
buildings are just as liable to prosecution as the business owner under
Australia’s OH&S laws in the event of an injury or death. Michael Tooma,
partner in the law firm Deacons recently said in an article “Recent case
law highlights the dangers of failing to implement due diligence systems
and how contraventions of OH&S legislation can have personal
consequences for managers and business owners”.
A number of states have significant penalties for managers, applied
as “personal liability”. Facility managers in the loop should ensure a
due diligence system is in place to cover all OH&S obligations. Failing to
meet this criteria will be costly and lead to imprisonment for repeat
offenders in NSW.

64 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
FM LEAD STORY

SAM at the University


of New England
BY NAOMI NIELSEN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES DIRECTORATE
NAOMI NIELSEN

Taking a strategic asset management (SAM) approach to the management of built


environment is vital but when your organisation is faced with a significant backlog
liability and limited resources.

T
he team at the University of New England (UNE), Facilities u undergo a review and selection process of available technologies
Management Services Directorate (FMS) is progressing toward the u select, customise and implement the technology,
ultimate goal of Total Asset Management as part of the SAM plan from u align the service delivery model with the technology and
what many in the tertiary education sector have recognized as a very u progressively train our human capital in maximising the effectiveness
low base in terms of building and infrastructure quality and best practice in and efficiency gains that each technology element or module offered as
the management of assets. it was being rolled out.
UNE is located in Armidale, in the New England North West region of NSW. With the selection of ARCHIBUS/FM (Version 15) the roll out of technology
It is classified as a Rural Campus, and was established in 1934. UNE has low commenced in August 2005 with the implementation of a Space
internal student numbers and high external numbers. The main campus Management system as the base module. The roll out at this initial stage
consists of 137,000 sq metres and the 40,000 sq metre Residential campus, included the process of digitising all the hardcopy documentation to
located on 210ha with eclectic architectural styles, a mixture of low grade computer aided design (CAD). In mid 2006 we made the transition from a
buildings with weatherboard and fibro construction, a small but significant previous software system to the ARCHIBUS/FM AFM Building Operations
number of heritage listed sites and a number of middle grade brick and Module and implemented the Works Management and Asset Management
concrete constructed buildings. systems, with the progressive capture and entering of asset details. By the
end of 2006 the AFM Condition Assessment module was implemented and
Context the SpacePlan Module, development by Griffith University, was implemented
The journey toward SAM is occurring with a back drop of constant change in March 2007.
with the sector responding to the increasing pressure of industrial reform
and a limited source of skilled technical labor. Prior to 1996 FM Services Endorsement and funding
(FMS) employed 140 permanent staff, was predominately trades-based with In 2004 success was achieved in receiving a small but significant
very little outsourcing. In 1996 the University outsourced the senior contribution from a Vice-Chancellor’s initiative fund. FM Services were
management team to an external FM organisation and the process of change successful in receiving funding primarily because of the emphasis placed by
and rationalisation began. The majority of the change had taken place by senior management of FMS on technology as being a critical tool in
2001 through the implementation of outsourcing strategies for the major supporting the decision-making process for the allocation of capital funds, as
service areas such as cleaning and security and the introduction of the the University embarked on the journey of renewal of its built environment.
Energy Performance Contract. (The EPC contract established in 2000 saw the This was achieved by educating our executive in the benefits of managing
university decommission two coal fired boiler houses and implement a gas assets with appropriate technology. Following this initial one off allocation,
heating system for the entire system, resulting in the closure of the Boiler FMS allocated operating funds from savings made on operating costs through
Houses). Since 2001, the senior management team has been restructured to organisational restructuring.
achieve alignment with a new service delivery, and further outsourcing of the FM Services have been able to leverage this investment through the
grounds and garden unit undertaken late 2005. development of strategies that have enabled the necessary training and
The University saw the first capital building project of $2.8 million funded development of staff. This has resulted in around 1 to 1.2% of the operational
by capital grant completed at the end of 2006, this marked the first capital budget being allocated directly to education and professional development;
programme project at the University since 1993. The FMS currently have $22 to stage the implementation of the key element of the system; and to the
million in funding allocated to capital projects for 2007, with an operating purchase of licensing.
budget of around $14 million to fund operations and maintenance. The The University recognised early on that due to limited funds we would
University have a deferred maintenance liability of $40 million. never achieve a full implementation of all the modules, so we progressively
staged the implementation of each element of technology over a three year
Approach – Project FMS TAM period.
The overall approach taken was to present a total asset management A small but significant success at the early stages was the savings
plan that was consistent with and supported the strategic asset achieved by sending scanned images offshore to a CAD converter in India,
management plan; and one that would achieve endorsement from the which meant that ultimately we were able to convert 80,000sqm for under
University’s Executive. $10,000 with minimal risk.
The plan included of the following steps:
u Given limited funds, develop a funding strategy designed to stage the Policy Development and Alignment with Organisational
finance of the necessary steps, Drivers
u develop and/or align policies and procedures that would take advantage Investment in FM technology requires strong alignment with relevant
of FM enabling technology, organisational policies and procedures, for returns to be realized. By

66 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
FM LEAD STORY
identifying the key drivers for a total asset management approach and then organisational structure and existing human capital to ensure our investment
determining what polices can support the organisational objectives, support was maximised:
in the journey can be realised and the degree of organisational commitment The roles that support the technology include:
required is cemented. The other process that occurred in parallel was a u Finance and Operational Systems Officer, who operated the Works
communication strategy to ensure that the University community could Management module
make the connections and understand the relationship with these key u CAD and Space Management Officer, (our high end users and on-site
drivers to the policies and procedures being implemented. system administrator) who operates the Space management modules
To maintain the objective of an increasing commitment towards the and the associated building information management system
renewal of the built environment the UNE Strategic Asset Management Plan u Facilities Auditor, who initially has been responsible for auditing space,
was developed. This document was used to align the critical plans for and as the capture of assets reaches a critical mass, will audit the
infrastructure such as Capital, Minor Works and Demolition programs, condition of assets
Maintenance and Operational plans and the Space Allocation Policy into an u Maintenance Planner, who will audit major plant and schedule all
integrated approach for managing the utilization and lifecycle requirements categories of maintenance
of the university’s physical assets. A Space Allocation policy was developed to u Data Entry Officer, who assists with space auditing and the data entry of
clearly define the ownership of space and to provide the guidelines for assets
changing the ownership or functionality of the space. A consultation strategy In addition to the above dedicated roles, the entire team at FMS have
was also developed to establish with the University community the likely received training and development in all the relevant areas of technology
future academic and research endeavours and the implications for such as:
infrastructure of the 5 year capital works and the 3 year minor works u Relevant Archibus modules
programs, and ultimately to arrive at the UNE SAM Plan u AutoCAD and AutoMAP
Critical to achieving a successful strategic approach to managing assets u Records Management System (TRIM)
was clearly identifying how the directorate would deliver services in an u Finance system (FinanceOne)
increasingly challenging fiscal environment. The journey has required the u MS excel
review and alignment of the FMS Maintenance Plan and the Service Level u Data capture techniques and
Agreements that underpin it, with major organisation units and faculties, and u Site Visits to other Universities
other Directorates.
The increasing complexity of statutory compliance requirements on Outcomes
infrastructure coupled with sustainability and the environment The investment in our approach to Strategic Asset Management has
considerations and the increasing focus on the management of risk and resulted in the following
quality assurance measures, have given rise to the development of Design u The provision of information required to achieve greater utilisation of
Standards, CAD and GIS Standards and a UNE Environmental Policy. existing space through adaptive re-use resulting in the minimisation of
capital programs
The procurement process and implementation u Assist the University in determining Capital project priorities
After an extensive site visits to other universities such as Monash, UNSW, u The identification of assets, the maintenance requirements and liability
Sydney, QUT, Macquarie, and UTAS, FM Services convened a user group with each represents
the assistance of external representation from within each sector, and u A Help Desk that is totally integrated with the system
established our key requirements. These documents ultimately became our u Assists in the reduction of recurrent operational costs such as utility
EOI (expression of interest) and in turn our RFP (request for proposal). A key costs and maintenance through understanding utilisation rates
driver behind the selection process was the recognition that we needed a u Assists in the planning of infrastructure to support the teaching and
system that could provide us with a single technology FM platform that could learning needs and requirements of the University for future growth or
be interfaced with the other UNE enterprise systems such as Finance, Human contraction
Resources, and Timetabling. We recognised very early on that we would not u It clarifies the utilisation and allocation of the built infrastructure and
have the capital to interface two “best of breed” FM software systems and assists in cost allocation strategies
then spend even more interfacing it with the other enterprise systems. Key u A detailed planning and consultation tool for relocation management
requirements were: resulting from organisational structural reform
u the ability to generate an extensive suite of reports before resorting to u Integral in the management and co-ordination of compliance issues such
third party report writers, as OHS, Asbestos management and Fire Safety
u the software had to be able to run off an Oracle platform, u The basis for the directorates Quality Assurance system and the
u modular scalability to avoid redundancy and identification and documentation of business processes
u local support for the product. u A tool for condition assessments which is integrated with our asset
The FMS Total Asset Management Project commenced in August 2005 management data
and due to the University having only 8% of the built infrastructure captured
electronically with limited cash flow, a staged approach to implementation About the ARCHIBUS/FM Modules Implemented
was adopted and the 170 buildings across the two campuses were rated into Space Management
capture priorities. With the main campus space elements captured, a similar Over 100,000 sqm of space is being managed using the Space
staged approach has been adopted for the capture of assets based on Management module, which provides an inventory for the space used the
infrastructural criticality in terms of compliance and OH&S. The capture of university. This enables the university to create, track and maintain an
assets includes the external above and underground services and the accurate and up-to-date repository of all the universities space information.
building infrastructure. Adopting a staged approach toward the This module integrates with the Computer Aided Design (CAD) overlay
implementation of the system has had a number of benefits including functionality for allowing graphical representation of spaces and related
providing the cash flow to facilitate the necessary customisation, and the information. Seamless navigation and amendment of database information
provision of the time necessary to adjust the Directorates service delivery using the AutoCAD graphical display has also increased the efficiency and
model, business workflows and to further train staff. reduced the workload of the CAD manager.
Some of the benefits provided to the university by the Space
Service Delivery and Human Capital Management module are;
The changes in technology required adjustments to the Directorates
CONTINUES ON PAGE 68

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 67
FM LEAD STORY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 66
revised and adjusted according to the information retrieved. This module has
u The ability to produce space inventory reports on different types of also allowed the university to better assess and utilise its current facilities.
space and show how these areas are utilised. Asset Management
u Develop a space inventory by creating drawings of the floors contained ARCHIBUS/FM is being used to hold the information for the university’s
within the buildings, representing each floor’s areas in these drawings, assets, with the identification how assets will be described and the capture of
identifying these areas, and registering this information in the project these assets now underway. From 2008 regular asset audits will be
database by linking the drawing representations of areas to scheduled and performed by staff using a tablet PC on critical infrastructure.
corresponding database records. The main objective of the Asset Management Activity is to identify record
u This space inventory has also provided the functionality to actively and maintain a standard register of owned assets within the university. Each
document the location of each individual employee. asset is then grouped using a category and type for clear identification and
Space Planning better reporting. Since the space hierarchy has also been defined within the
Griffith University contracted ICAD Consultants to develop the Space ARCHIBUS/FM system using the Space Management module, this module can
Planning Module to integrate within ARCHIBUS/FM to provide a robust, easy to then track the location of each asset using this defined information. This
use and flexible set of tools with which to perform indicative space planning enables ARCHIBUS/FM to clearly define the relationship between the assets
for universities. The development is based on the Griffith University and their locations.
SpaceTrak system developed by Qualtrak Software which in turn is based on Works Management
the ‘Specification for the Development of the Indicative Space Module of the The University of New England performs a significant amount of
Space Planning and Management System’ published by a joint working party maintenance work around the campus. This maintenance work can be
of the AVCC (Australian Vice Chancellors Committee) and DEET (Department grouped into one of the following categories:
of Employment, Education and Training) and in 1993. u Preventative Maintenance (PM)
The Space Planning Module was developed for the purpose of estimating u Statutory Maintenance
the total amount of space required by elements of a university based on u Corrective Maintenance
several different criterions. These criterions are the full time equivalent u Deferred Maintenance
student and staff load and a space standard for the type of element and u Backlog Maintenance
function. The Space Planning Module uses the concept of a ‘Scenario’ to allow The primary objective of the Works Management module is to record,
‘what if’ projections for future years. Each year can have any number of maintain and provide detailed reports on all data relating to works carried out
scenarios containing variations to the main criteria set. on university assets or space, and provide the general ability to utilize
The University of New England has successfully implemented this space collected data in a more strategic manner.
planning module and were able to use the reports generated to justify certain The Works Management module provides the university with a user
business decisions about the requirement of both space and budget. The friendly interface to a single repository of data which manages the works
results compiled from the Space Planning Module have allowed the plans for performed throughout the university. This works repository will utilise data
future development and maintenance of the universities facilities to be stored in other modules used within ARCHIBUS/FM. The Space Management

68 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
FM LEAD STORY
module will be used so that the work can be allocated to a space in the integration of data between the systems without the need for user interaction.
university, the Asset Management module will be used to assign work to an The objective of the integration is to provide additional functionality to
individual asset owned by the university. Employee and organisational the systems without the need of maintaining the data in more than one
information which is retrieved from the ARCHIBUS/FM and Concept interface system. This increases productivity and allows different departments
(described below) can also be used within this module. As the university throughout the university to utilise the same data from two systems without
grows and more ARCHIBUS/FM modules are implemented, data from other the need for redundancy or unnecessary time delays.
modules can also be utilised within the Works Management module. The FinanceOne interface allows the immediate integration of data
The effective and efficient management of maintenance works is a between ARCHIBUS/FM and FinanceOne. The maintenance workflow used
critical component of the day to day operation of the Facilities Management throughout ARCHIBUS/FM has now embedded the interface to FinanceOne so
Services (FMS) department at the University of New England as it will directly that purchase orders sent to contractors can be initiated from the facilities
contribute to the level of customer service delivery capabilities. services department using ARCHIBUS/FM, then provided to the finance
Through optimizing the tracking and flow of works, bottlenecks and department and processed using their own FinanceOne system. When the
problem area were reduced resulting in less wasted time, misused resources work is carried out by the contractor and the facilities services department
and administering unnecessary work. Hence the benefits by the are satisfied with the completed work, all the relevant contractor paperwork
implementation of the Work Management Module were: is processed by the facilities department and a request for payment is
u Significant time reduction in data entry and reporting on works automatically sent to FinanceOne. Once the payment is processed
performed ARCHIBUS/FM automatically archives the work request record.
u Increased accuracy in management of works Integrating ARCHIBUS/FM with Concept unites human resource and
u Ability to generate enterprise reports to analyse works trends business data with graphic facilities and infrastructure information. This
u Ability to accurately record and report the cost of completing works provides access to accurate employee and organisational data within
u Ability to report accurately and efficiently on Key Performance Indicators ARCHIBUS/FM without the need for additional data maintenance. Together,
(KPIs) this data supports strategic decisions that optimize return-on-investment;
u Ultimately to have the ability to provide better service and response time lower asset life-cycle costs, and increases enterprise-wide productivity and
Integration profitability.
The primary function for the implementation of ARCHIBUS/FM at the
University of New England is to manage the universities facilities. The About ICAD Consultants
maintenance of financial purchase order and invoice details along with ICAD Consultants Pty Ltd is a professional company that provides
employee and organisational hierarchy is done using systems external to technology expertise in the design, development and management of
ARCHIBUS/FM. FinanceOne contains the financial data and Concept HR maintains information technology systems related to critical business needs. The
the employee and organisational data. To allow access to this data without the majority of their clients are involved with the built environment and rely
need to maintain the data in multiple systems, interfaces were developed heavily on computer aided design, facilities management technology and
between ARCHIBUS/FM and the external systems to allow the seamless web technologies.

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LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE

Major initiatives in Waste


Management, and Victoria’s new
Charter of Human Rights
Towards Zero Waste – The Victorian State Government’s capacity and flexibility of the combined group buying power of the 30
new Metropolitan Waste Management and Resource member councils so that services that are otherwise unavailable (such as
Recovery Arrangements advanced waste processing technologies which need optimal scales of
Late in 2005 more than 130 delegates from 66 Victorian local councils operation requiring the waste collections from a number of councils to be
attended a Waste Policy Forum convened by the Municipal Association of viable) can be established and used.
Victoria to discuss waste management and resource recovery issues for The MWMG is to take a long-term (25 – 30 years) view of the type and
Victorian local government. At that forum councils gave their in-principal siting of major resource recovery, recycling and waste technology
support for the strategies and targets outlined in Towards Zero Waste – facilities and is responsible for facilitating establishment of such facilities
the Victorian State Government’s new strategy for solid waste though public private partnerships involving local governments and
management and resource recovery released in September 2005. private sector providers. The MWMG has the capacity as principal to enter
into contracts with service providers for the establishment of these
Toward Zero Waste Strategy facilities, supported by back to back contracts with councils. In entering
Two targets which the Toward Zero Waste strategy aims to achieve by into such contracts the MWMG will be required to adopt risk management
2014 are; a 1.5 million tonne reduction in the projected quantity of solid guidelines, which are to be developed in consultation with the Department
waste generated statewide; and a 65% recovery rate (by weight) of of Treasure and Finance, Partnerships Victoria, the waste management
municipal solid waste for reuse and recycling. industry and local government.
When developing Toward Zero Waste the State Government
acknowledged that current waste management technologies and waste Looking Forward
management arrangements, particularly in metropolitan areas, are The Victorian State Government introduced the necessary legislation
unlikely to be able to deliver the outcomes required by the strategy. to establish the MWMG into Parliament in the latter half of 2006, with the
To overcome this, Toward Zero Waste sets out new arrangements new organisation established in October of that year.
which recognise that successful waste management and effective It is expected that the MWMG will be looking for private sector entities
resource recovery requires coordinated planning and action at local, with waste management experience with whom it can enter into
regional and State scales. partnerships, with the aim of fulfilling its role in delivering the waste
In particular, Toward Zero Waste outlines the restructuring of targets outlined in Towards Zero Waste. In other states Councils are also
metropolitan waste management arrangements to enable access to a new seeing the benefit of privately financed waste management facilities. In
range of waste processing and resource recovery technologies. This WA a $100m waste processing facility is being negotiated by Mindarie
restructuring includes the creation under the Environment Protection Act Regional Council with various short listed private companies on behalf of
1970 (Vic) of the Metropolitan Waste Management Group (MWMG) which 7 neighbouring councils.
was established on October 1, 2006. For further information about this article and legal services in this
area, please contact:
Metropolitan Waste Management Group John Rantino, Head of Public Law, Maddocks
The MWMG is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the delivery Email: john.rantino@maddocks.com.au
of the municipal solid waste aspects of Towards Zero Waste in Tel (03) 9288 0694
metropolitan Melbourne. The new arrangements aim to increase the www.maddocks.com.au

70 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE

The New Charter of Human


Rights – What does it mean
for Local Government?
REPRINTED WITH KIND PERMISSION OF MADDOCKS PUBLIC LAW GROUP

T
he new Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act The human rights enshrined in the new Charter call for a balance to be
2006 (Charter) came into force on 1 January 2007. Within 2 struck between the competing individual human rights and the need to
months it was being relied on by a senior barrister as part of an protect the broader public interest.
application to review a decision by a council to grant a planning Importantly, if a public authority fails to strike a fair balance between
permit (see M & L Property Developments Pty Ltd v Hobsons Bay City these competing interests, it will be in breach of its obligations under the
Council [2007] VCAT 418). Charter.
It ought not to come as a surprise that the Charter will be used as a The Charter will have implications for the way in which courts and
basis to review decision-making at local government level. The case of tribunals must interpret and apply the legislation consistently with the
Hatton v United Kingdom, which was decided in the European Court of substantive rights. Significantly, the Charter expressly states that courts
Human Rights, provides a good example of how such rights might apply in and tribunals may have regard to relevant international, regional and
the Victorian context and the implications for local government. comparative domestic human rights jurisprudence in the interpretation
In this case, the United Kingdom Government sought to extend flights and application of the substantive rights.
from Heathrow airport between 4am and 7am. Local residents objected to In addition, from 1 January 2007, the newly named Victorian Equal
the permission sought and argued that if the flight extension was allowed, Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) has been given
it would adversely impact on their capacity to sleep. It was argued that expanded duties in its role as a broad human rights watchdog. These
this was a violation of their right to privacy and home life. The European include providing an independent assessment of how public authorities
Court of Human Rights agreed. It held that the failure of the government to comply with the Charter and reviewing policies and practices of public
sufficiently assess the impact of the noise and consider all possible authorities if requested to do so. VEOHRC will also have capacity to
alternatives so as to minimise interference with the privacy and home life intervene in court or tribunal proceedings that involve interpretation or
of the residents amounted to a failure in its obligations to strike a fair application of the Charter.
balance between the economic interests of the State and the rights of the
local residents. Announcing the Maddocks Charter Team
Relevantly, the Victorian Charter also includes a right to respect In response to this significant development, and to enable us to better
privacy and home life. It is not that far-fetched or difficult to see how the service our government and local government clients, we have
reasoning applied in Hatton v United Kingdom could be employed in established a special Charter Team. The Team will focus on providing legal
planning and environmental matters. The Charter may also impact upon and strategic advice and training to our many government and statutory
local government within the context of judicial review of an administrative authority clients.
decision or where a person is defending a charge (even though the Members of the Charter Team are: Catherine Dunlop, Glenda Beecher,
Charter does not give rise to an independent right to take legal action for a Kevin Phelan, Mimi Marcus, Jane Polglase and Kelly Saunders.
breach of its provisions).
Upcoming seminar series
How will the Charter work? In order to provide information on the new Charter, Maddocks will be
The Charter is designed to guarantee that human rights are a priority conducting two seminars on this topic. The seminar will provide a
for both present and future governments and that decision-making is comprehensive overview of the operation of the Charter and its
accountable and transparent. To this end, the Charter obliges all public implications for local government. Invitations to the seminar will be sent
authorities, which relevantly include local government, to consider a shortly. If you wish to discuss the application of the Victorian Charter,
number of substantive human rights. Those substantive rights have been please do not hesitate to contact Mimi Marcus.
largely imported from the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and include the right to equality before the law, the right to freedom
of movement, the right to privacy, the right to freedom of religion and Mimi Marcus
property rights, to name but a few. Lawyer, Planning & Environment Practice Group
The Charter obliges all public authorities to take human rights into Maddocks
consideration when making laws, developing policies and providing Direct: 61 3 9240 0871
services. All statutory provisions (both primary and delegated legislation) Facsimile: 61 3 9288 0666
must comply with the Charter. Relevantly, the public sector will be bound Email: mimi.marcus@maddocks.com.au
by the Charter from 1 January 2008 to enable practices and procedures 140 William Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000
to be changed if necessary. www.maddocks.com.au

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 71
PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE

The Sustainable Sydney


of Tomorrow
The Sydney 2030 Plan
BY FACILITY PERSPECTIVES SYDNEY CORRESPONDENT, MARIE GEISSLER

How will the City of Sydney become sustainable by 2030? To


undertake a successful program to achieve sustainability in 2030,
the City of Sydney spoke at an AIRAH sponsored forum outlining
Sustainable Sydney 2030* in May, an initiative to map within a
sustainable framework, the city’s environmental, services and
infrastructure challenges for the next 25 years. It will address the
MARIE GEISSLER
themes of energy and emissions, water, waste, plants and animals.

T
he forum for this event was based around a series of thought- He advocates that creating such opportunities was a product of urban
provoking presentations given by Professor Jan Gehl, Professor of planning that energised city centres and breathed new life into poorly-used
Urban Design, Director of Public Space Research at the School of areas. Initiatives to achieve this include reducing the number of cars in the
Architecture, the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Copenhagen and city and reducing vehicular traffic in streets and freeways in central city
Alan Cadogan, City of Sydney Acting Director, City Strategy Planning and locations. As well, there had to be an increase in the number of cycle ways,
Development. The City has commissioned a study from Professor Gehl to feed pedestrian facilities and public amenities like parks and squares. Prosperous
into the city’s long-term strategic plan, Sustainable Sydney 2030. well planned cities of today are overwhelmingly places for public
Professor Jan Gehl described urban revitalisation projects he had entertainment, not shopping. Gehl’s findings indicated that 40% of people
undertaken in Europe, Asia, Australia and the United States, using this as a come to shop and 60% to enjoy, connect with others and relax. Importantly, he
vehicle to flag changes that may be forthcoming in his recommendations supported more residential in cities, as people on the streets were a city’s
for the Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan and the benefits they would bring to the lifeblood.
city. He encouraged changes to a city which brought people into more friendly Gehl’s study for Sydney will be a landmark urban design initiative for the
contact with each other, encouraged people to walk outside, cycle and City and help strike a balance between people, cars and the built form. It will
socialise in public places. He contended that people-watching was arguably form the framework to shape and increase public space usage to ensure
one of the most enjoyable and leisurely pastimes in a city, and that it was the Sydney is an enjoyable and functional place for everyone. It will ensure that
duty of planners and councils to ensure this could happen. Professor Gehl’s Sydney remains a global and competitive city through ensuring accessibility
work is underpinned by a belief that a hallmark of a great city centre is one and desirability.
that attracts people and is enjoyable to spend time in, something that Professor Gehl’s study will focus on the CBD, William Street, Broadway
happens when a city provides people with attractive spaces. and Oxford Street, and includes fieldwork by a team of urban designers;

72 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE
mapping of activities such as children playing, sidewalk merchants, sitting on conservation of water and energy consumption. It would also address
benches to determine the quality of urban spaces and busking; counting delivering a world-class public domain and building design and provision for
pedestrian traffic and movement patterns to provide a clearer understanding housing and population growth while maintaining livability, quality services
of how street usage is prioritised; analysis of connections with surrounding and transport. At the same time the plan would set down ways of fostering a
villages, traffic, parking, pedestrian and car conflict, travel time, types of night vibrant, diverse and inclusive community, and a lively arts and cultural sector.
time activities and street furniture; and recommendations for quality *The Partners in this Sydney 2030 Forum:
improvements to spaces. The City of Sydney, the Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating, the Green
“A good public realm where people from all walks of life naturally and Building Council of Australia, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Department of Energy
casually meet is important for democracy, social cohesion in society, the Utilities and Sustainability, Landcom and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) have
notion of an ‘open city’ and the feeling of safety,” Professor Gehl said. formed a partnership to deliver the Sydney Forum, a series of public talks with the goal of increasing
Professor Jan Gehl said: “A good city is like a good party – people stay the development and refurbishment of commercial buildings in Sydney.
longer than they planned to because they are enjoying themselves.”
Alan Cadogan’s lecture outlined ways in which the City will work over the About Marie Geissler and Geissler Communications
coming months with Australia’s best minds in urban planning, finance, Marie Geissler BSc, MPRIA, is director of Geissler Communications. Her
engineering, property, the arts and environmental science to create a 25-year expertise includes corporate, community, government, media and crisis
vision for Sydney entitled Sustainable Sydney 2030. The plan was initiated by communications, the development of sponsorship programs, exhibitions and
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP, who was in New York at the time to discuss the writing of media releases, speeches, articles, marketing materials and
environmental initiatives with mayors from some of the world’s largest cities books.
at the C40 Large Cities Climate Change Summit. Through her long association and involvement with the art world and Craft
Mr Cadogan, described how an extensive business, individual, Arts International, Marie offers an art consultancy service to organizations,
environmental, government and community consultation process would occur government and business.
over the next few months. He said that at this stage the Sustainable Sydney Over many years Marie has worked in the area of sustainability, working
2030 project would soon begin community engagement and participation to closely with many architectural, technology and design practices to promote
shape the suite of ideas, aspirations and projects that would guide the City their “green” services and products. She worked closely with the Green Office
over the next 25 years. Information for the plan would be collected through a at the Sydney Olympics 2000, staging several seminars for the
series of forums and events, displays at centres, written submissions, international media to promote the “green” design that was part of the
meetings with groups and individuals, City News and information from the delivery of the Games.
website www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/environment. These ideas would then Geissler Communications is a member of the Public Relations Institute of
be carefully tested and evaluated before being incorporated into the plan. Australia, the Foreign Correspondents Association, The Australian Academy of
Mr Cadogan said “Future development will create substantial demands on Design, The Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance. Tel 02 9380 5510 or email
the city’s environment, services and infrastructure. Public and private marie@geissler.com.au
investment must be coordinated to ensure Sydney remains Australia’s
economic powerhouse and a sustainable, liveable city. To achieve the 2030
vision, the City will continue its comprehensive community and corporate
consultation. We’ll be working with a broad range of experts and key thinkers
to develop the plan but also working closely with the community and city
businesses. We’ll ensure that its projects will include robust financial
information to enable long-term planning and sound financial
management. By the middle of this year, we are aiming to have a broad vision
articulated. Toward the end of the year, key projects will be selected and
concepts developed, and by early next year, the program will be finalised.”
Key projects are yet to be developed but might include planning for new
transport networks with the State and Federal Governments and with the
private sector to deliver efficiencies to businesses as well as residents and
visitors, new recycled water networks to further drought proof the City, or
projects such as the long talked about town square on the site of the
Woolworths building and an indigenous cultural centre – which is a high
priority for international visitors.
The City has an important role in building the Green Square Town Centre
as part of a vital new business and residential corridor between the CBD and
the airport. Green Square will be the centre of an economic growth area, and a
crucial part of the city’s economy. Cadogan suggested that Sustainable
Sydney 2030 might bring a number of different approaches to the
development of Green Square from taking the centre off the electricity grid
and using other energy sources, to looking at ways of reusing stormwater as
grey water and sewage.
Alan Cadogan said that the Lord Mayor and the City are committed to
ensuring Sustainable Sydney 2030 will promote Sydney as a significant global
city and economic force. Sustainable Sydney 2030 will help deliver liveable
and inviting neighbourhoods, inspiring workplaces, vital parks, a dynamic
economy, attractive streetscapes, and a vibrant and diverse culture – all
serviced by an efficient and integrated transport system including walking
and cycling.
He said that the plan would help to achieve sustainability for the city’s
future, working in new partnerships with State and Federal Governments and
with business. The plan would include initiatives to achieve leadership in the

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 73
PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE

Watching the Clock


Countdown to
Water Reform
ONE OF SIX ARTICLES IN ERNST & YOUNG’S 2007 EDITION OF BUSINESS AGENDA –
WATCHING THE CLOCK: COUNTDOWN TO WATER REFORM

The ambiguity of water ownership is lost on no-one. As


the management of this commodity is addressed and
organisations consider the economic, regulatory and
reputational implications of water reform, the scarcity
of this precious resource – best described as
belonging to everyone, and yet no-one – is foremost
on everyone’s minds.

74 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE

A
s the November 2006 Water Summit recognised, Australia is facing As a result and despite being the driest inhabited continent in the world,
a national water crisis. Put simply, the nation’s water system has Australia has among the world’s lowest water prices.8 As the Hon. Malcolm
not kept pace with our growth. While the initial Council of Australian Turnbull pointed out in a speech to the Committee of Economic Development
Governments (COAG) 1994 water reform agenda attempted to of Australia9, “The ABS estimates that in 2003-2004, Australian households
provide a sound basis from which to address this and other key issues, paid an average $311 a year for water and $1,200 for electricity, gas and
water reform is now firmly on the national agenda and is gaining other substitutes ... water is not a finite resource in the way minerals are ...
unequivocal momentum. Consequently, businesses will need to consider we can have as much water as we are prepared to pay for ... we can make as
how to respond to the new forces unleashed by water reform and the need much and more water than we need from recycling ... or ... desalination.”
for water security in today’s water constrained environment. But all this is about to change. “Regardless of the extent of trading
According to the Water Services Association of Australia, “Over the last between the urban and rural water sectors and the attribution of an
20 years, with the exception of Perth, no new water sources have been economic value to water to assist in driving its efficient use, the base cost of
developed for our cities.”1 Combine this fact with a rapidly increasing urban water and water services will increase. In addition, the need to address
population and it is not surprising that 80 per cent of urban Australians live water security through the introduction of non climate-controlled sources of
with some form of water restrictions2, with areas such as Gosford/Wyong supply such as desalination or water recycling will inevitably further
and Goulburn in NSW, the central region of Victoria and Toowoomba in increase costs to users,” says David Green, Head of Ernst & Young’s
Queensland already under total outdoor water bans.3 Electricity and Water Advisory Group.
In 2007, however, Australia may find a united political will to accelerate Just how much prices will increase once water reform initiatives are
the previously glacial pace of water reform and address water shortages. In fully implemented and water security is enhanced is a topic of hot debate.
an interview with The Age in November last year, Victorian Premier, Steve According to Green, who was also recently appointed as one of three
Bracks, declared water “one of the most important issues of this election inaugural Water Commissioners to the Queensland Water Commission: “In
campaign,” while his government prepared a controversial $1.5 billion plan the next five years, we should expect prices to at least double and possibly
to secure Melbourne’s drinking water supply for 50 years.4 Meanwhile, the move higher again as the consequences of the full cost recovery of water
South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2006-2026 has infrastructure and associated water services are passed on to water users.”
allocated an expected $5 billion in water infrastructure projects, with further He adds, “The full pricing consequences will not be known for some
resources for water grid projects to be announced in 2007.5 time as new institutional and pricing arrangements will need to be
Water is fundamental to Australia’s economic growth. In its 2006 report, implemented and the introduction of an urban water market accelerated to
Water under pressure: Australia’s man-made water scarcity and how to fix it, address urban water security. These initiatives will fundamentally change
the Business Council of Australia states that fundamental water reform, the way in which we, as a community, use and value water.”
including allowing water prices to rise to clear the market, is “one of the In its 2006 report, Without water: the economics of supplying water to 5
most urgent tasks facing the Australian Government”. The report goes on to million more Australians10, the CSIRO contends that if governments do not
comment, “Australia’s productive capacity is considerably less than it should act to expand water trading and access “new” sources of water by building
be. This is because our available water is not being put to its best use, and desalination plants, establishing large sewage recycling schemes and
because the water rationing that is currently being adopted in both urban making use of storm water, in our worst affected city – Perth, the price of
and rural areas is an extremely inefficient method to match the available water would need to increase by about ten times to manage demand in
water supply with demand.”6 2032.
Indeed, as the government concludes, “part of the solution is better In South Australia, Cabinet has determined that residential water prices
pricing, but the real issue is better management and adequate investment will rise by an average 6.4 per cent from July 2007. “The Government has
in water infrastructure.”7 made a responsible decision about water pricing, with the increase coming
as a result of CPI and the need to build better water infrastructure in the
Major pricing increases future,” says Government Enterprises Minister the Hon. Michael Wright.11
If the National Water Initiative, which was agreed to in June 2004, is Ultimately, where the water market will settle is hard to forecast given
successful in driving and building on COAG’s 1994 water reform agenda, the unpredictable factors that will affect both supply (climate change,
Australia will eventually have a market for water, similar to the way it has a rural/urban trading and the extent of desalination or recycling, as well as
market for other commodities such as electricity. The result will be a ongoing management) and demand (the efficiency of water management
fundamental change to how Australia sources and pays for its water. and the ongoing role of water restrictions). “Clearly, businesses need to
For years, Australian consumers and businesses have only been paying start assessing the likely impact of both water scarcity and water price
for the cost of storing, treating and transporting water: there has been no increases and prepare appropriate risk mitigation strategies,” says Liza
price tag for water itself. In marked contrast to electricity and many other Maimone, Partner, Ernst & Young’s Environment and Sustainability Group.
commodities, the price of water currently bears no relevance to supply and
demand. Economic forces
While every business will feel the economic impact if their water bill
The impact of price increases and supply constraints doubles and water supplies become unreliable, heavy water users will
clearly be more affected than others. For example, the manufacturing,
The questions to ask... agribusinesses, mining and power sectors will be more directly affected
1) If water prices increased 25 per cent or 50 per cent, than banking. However, even those that are not water dependent will need
what impact would that have on: to carefully consider the indirect effects of increased water prices on their
a. Our business? supply chain. “A bank may not be heavily water dependent, but many of its
clients will be; water forms a relatively small percentage of the retail cost
b. Our suppliers’ businesses?
structure, but what will happen when higher water bills gouge into
c. Our customers’ purchasing decisions? consumers’ discretionary spending?” explains Ernst & Young’s Chris Leptos,
2) If the water supply decreased by 25 per cent or 50 per Managing Partner, Government.
cent, what impact would that have on: Organisations need to strategically position themselves for this
environment and consider which course of action is best suited to mitigate
a. Our business?
these impacts. For instance, for the last few years individual sustainability
b. Our suppliers’ businesses? programs have seen some organisations taking measures to voluntarily
c. Our customers’ purchasing decisions? reduce water consumption. Coca-Cola Amatil is one such company, having

fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 75
PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE
implemented water efficiency programs in its plants all over Australia. Increased private investment in water infrastructure
Success in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide has shown that
even slight changes to operations can deliver substantial water savings. Australia will need to come to terms with the need for private
Alec Wagstaff, Director of Corporate Affairs, explains: “Coca-Cola Amatil capital to fund the tens of billions of dollars needed to be
has made cumulative water savings of 13 per cent over the last five years. invested in water infrastructure over the next few decades.
That offers us huge savings in our water bills alone. We’ve gone as far as to The Australian market is maturing to the point where there
install dual flush toilets and water saving showerheads across our Brisbane are many opportunities for the private sector to play an
site and every tap is fitted with an aqualock flow regulator.” important role in building and operating water infrastructure.
Companies can also investigate innovative local solutions to reduce
As Macquarie Bank’s $20 billion investment in Thames Water
their reliance on potable water. These solutions, which are already in play,
range from very simple programs such as industrial parks capturing the rain
made clear, the private sector has substantial appetite for
that falls on storage sheds roofs, to major infrastructure developments. By
water infrastructure investment. Media reports noted that “
way of example, Coca-Cola Amatil’s Brisbane plant uses recycled water from ... the attraction of Thames Water for Macquarie and its co-
its rinsers to feed the cooling towers, truck wash area, toilets, floor hose- investors is that the system of regulation of water utilities in
down reels and the gardens. Britain gives the owners set rates of return over five year
In Western Australia in 2004, a collaborative project between industry periods. They are also seen as relatively high-yielding and
and government led to the construction of the Kwinana Water Reclamation low-risk investments.”14
Plant which today provides six gigalitres (million kilolitres) of treated
wastewater a year to Kwinana’s industrial customers, including BP, Hismelt, operating and financial reviews.
Tiwest, CSBP and Edison Mission Energy. The Kwinana Industries Council is Specifically, auditors should report on the extent to which the
currently developing sustainable options for water supply, wastewater reuse disclosures allow shareholders and the wider capital market to assess and
and wastewater disposal over a 15 year planning horizon (2006-2021) with value material non-financial performance, risk profile and risk management
a view to further decreasing industry’s reliance on scheme water. “The strategies. These recommendations have two major implications in respect
Kwinana Industries Council will continue to work closely with our partners to to water scarcity and water consumption. Firstly, both these issues should
implement the recommendations from the study, encouraging new water be factored into an organisation’s risk profile and, where appropriate,
synergies across industry as well as a diversity of water supply options,” included in risk disclosures. Secondly, in publicly reporting on various
says Tonia Swetman, Kwinana Industries Council Director. environmental indicators, companies should consider including information
on water consumption and initiatives in place to reduce this.
Regulatory pressure “Specifically, stakeholder pressure to report on such matters creates an
Even those businesses without clear economic drivers to reduce water informal driver encouraging companies to be more responsible in their
consumption will face increasing regulatory pressure to do so. South East water use – a failure to do so can impact upon a company’s reputation and
Queensland is leading the way in this regard. Organisations using greater the perceptions of that company in the broader marketplace,” says Ernst &
than ten megalitres of water per annum are required to complete Water Young’s Maimone. In addition, as governments move to more adequately
Efficiency Management Plans to comply with Level 4 water restrictions,
which have been in place since November 2006 and are likely to move to
Level 5 as soon as March. The plans require businesses to better manage
water use, save on water costs, improve efficiency and reduce business
water consumption – by a minimum of 25 per cent or best industry practice
– in line with regionally agreed water reductions.
Other States have implemented similar schemes, with Victoria amending
its Environment Protection Act 197012 to require premises where water or We’re always looking at better
energy consumption exceeds a mandated trigger level to prepare ways to service our clients and
Environment Resource Efficiency Plans, including measures and deadlines we’re also looking at better ways
for decreasing water and energy consumption. In preparing for mandated to help the environment. To see
water consumption reductions, businesses should seek opportunities to the whole picture, have a look at:
apply for assistance either from the various Federal government or State-
theglassisgreener.com.au
based initiatives that currently exist. For example, the Queensland
Government has allocated $40 million for an incentive scheme providing
financial and technical support to businesses implementing their Water
Efficiency Management Plans.

Reputation risk
Beyond economic pressure and environmental regulations, improved
water consumption practices will also be driven by a rise in corporate
responsibility practices and the increasingly high profile public reporting of
environmental and social performance.
While the Parliamentary Joint Committee, convened in 2005 to inquire
into a range of corporate responsibility matters, did not recommend legally
mandated corporate responsibility reporting it did make two key
recommendations.13 The first is that the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s
Principles of Good Corporate Governance and Best Practice
Recommendations encourage companies to inform investors of the material
non-financial aspects of their risk profile by disclosing their top five
1300 666 234
RPBROWN 1184

sustainability risks, along with strategies in place to manage these risks.


The report also recommended that company auditors annually review
ALL DAY ALL NIGHT ALL OVER AUSTRALIA
the extent to which companies are making non-financial disclosures in their

76 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE
manage the urban water demand supply balance, it is likely that demand References and Resources
side initiatives will require mandatory reporting of business water use 1 Water Services Association of Australia, Testing the water, WSAA Position Paper No. 01, Melbourne,
efficiency measures, such as South East Queensland’s Water Efficiency October 2005, page 4.
Management Plans. 2 Water fight: fury over $1.5 billion plan, The Age, 13 September 2006, via Factiva, © VNU Business
“Business can expect to be under substantial pressure to more Publications Limited.
efficiently use the community’s limited water resources. In Brisbane, the 3 National Water Commission, Australia’s water supply status and seasonal outlook, October 2006,
capital city facing the most stringent water restrictions so far, residential page 16.
water use has fallen markedly and business is now being asked to make a 4 Water fight: fury over $1.5 billion plan, The Age, op. cit.
similar commitment,” says Green from Ernst & Young. 5 The Coordinator-General, Queensland Government Office of Urban Management, South - East
Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2006-2026, May 2006, page 2.
Releasing the pressure slowly 6 Business Council of Australia, Water under pressure: Australia’s man-made water scarcity and how to
With water reform leading the government’s agenda, corporate Australia fix it, Melbourne, September 2006, pages ii and 10.
faces the task of analysing the implications of price increases and 7 Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Transcript: Prime Minister John Howard,
mandatory reductions in water consumption as water positions itself as an “Australia’s national challenges: energy and water”, 17 July 2006,
issue for most businesses. <http://ceda.com.au/public/package/howard_200607/howard_200607_speech.html>.
Attention must be given to this new risk profile, while there is still time 8 Business Council of Australia, op. cit., page 12
to strategically manage the process to avoid sudden shocks to cost 9 The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Why
structures or supply chains. As best practice risk management has proven, should our cities be short of water? Is urban water a finite resource?, 8 June 2006,
those adapting early to the new shape of business will cope well and rise to <http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/news/article.aspx?ID=495>.
the top once the pinch of water restrictions and demand reduction initiatives 10 CSIRO and Monash University, Without water: the economics of supplying water to five million more
begin to encroach on business activities. Australians (MD Young, W Proctor, E Qureshi and G Wittwer), © 2006
<http://www.clw.csiro.au/publications/science/2006/WithoutWater.pdf>, page iv.
About Ernst & Young 11 The Hon. Michael Wright MP, Premier and Ministers of South Australia News, Price rise to help secure
Ernst & Young is a global leader in professional services. The firm’s SA’s water future, 7 December 2006, <http://www.ministers.sa.gov.au/news.php?id=1060>.
110,000 people in 140 countries pursue the highest levels of integrity, 12 EPA Victoria Environmental legislation, 19 September 2006, Environment Protection (Amendment)
quality and professionalism in providing a range of sophisticated services. Act 2006, EPA Victoria, December 2006, <http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about_us/legislation/epa.asp>.
In Australia, Ernst & Young has over 4,000 partners and staff based in seven 13 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, Corporate responsibility:
offices and is a trusted advisor to many of the country’s leading managing risk and creating value, June 2006, pages xxii and 121.
organisations. To obtain a copy of Ernst & Young’s Business Agenda 07, in 14 Water boys make name in the big league, The Australian Financial Review, 18 October 2006, via
PDF format, go to http://www.ey.com/global/content.nsf/Australia/Home Factiva, © VNU Business Publications Limited.


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fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 77
BOOK REVIEW

SCORCHER
The Dirty Politics
SUSAN KECK
of Climate Change
by Clive Hamilton
BLACK INC. AGENDA $29.95
REVIEW BY WINTERCOMMS DIRECTOR-INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND RESEARCH
SUSAN KECK HDIPT, GDIPED, GRADCERTBUSAD, ANZIIF (MEM)

The globe will warm by 3°C or more and sea levels will rise by 0.35 to 0.43 metres
by the end of the century if greenhouse gases continue to be emitted at or above
current rates.

T
his is described as the most likely scenario by Clive Hamilton in change debate, Hamilton then
his new book, aptly titled Scorcher. His figures are derived from outlines the structure of
the Fourth Assessment Report of Working Group 1, released by the Australia’s greenhouse
tortuously named, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emissions and provides a
(IPCC). The IPCC was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological neatly structured explanation
Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme and is of the Kyoto Protocol.
acknowledged by most world governments, including Australia’s, as the It is often forgotten that
source for information on climate change. Australia was, in fact, a
In practical terms, what can this mean for Australia? Drawing on CSIRO signatory to the 1997 Kyoto
data, Hamilton lists, amongst other consequences: Protocol, where it agreed to
u the intensification of the El Nino effect leading to more, and more limit emissions to an average
severe droughts; of 108% of 1990 emissions
u a doubling or quadrupling of the number of days over 35°C in the across a five year period from
capital cities; 2008 to 2012. To come into
u more days of high and extreme fire danger and more intense and effect, the Protocol had to be
more frequent bushfires; ratified by at least 55
u permanent damage to the Great Barrier Reef; and countries (141 ratified) and
u the spread south of ‘tropical’ diseases such as Dengue Fever. countries accounting for 55%
Hamilton maintains that the research shows that we cannot prevent of greenhouse emissions. This
climate change—it is more a question of whether the world can agree on was achieved in 2004 when
how to prevent the effects from being worse. Russia ratified. As is well known, Australia and the USA refused to ratify,
So how did we get to this state? It seems not that long ago our leaders though Australia maintains it is meeting its 1997 emission targets.
were proudly describing themselves as climate change sceptics, and Clive Hamilton is the Executive Director of the Australia Institute, an
dismissing concerns about global warming. independent think-tank based in Canberra. He is an authority on the
Taking up the challenge to answer this question, Hamilton economics and politics of climate change, having been involved in this
conceptualises the climate change debate as a battle between the area as a participant and observer for many years. He is scathing in his
warnings of climate change scientists and the desire of fossil fuel analysis of the Australia’s approach to the Kyoto Protocol.
companies to protect their commercial interests. Australia, he maintains, is the only industrialised nation engaged in
In this feisty book, he dispenses with the polite introduction and widespread land clearing. He describes how, in agreeing to the 1997
launches into an exposé of powerful fossil fuel lobbyists, in particular targets, Australia ensured that emissions due to land clearing be included
representatives of the coal, oil, cement, aluminium, mining and electricity in the calculation of its 1990 emissions. If land use change and forestry
industries, and their influence of the Australian Government. are excluded, a quite different picture emerges, with total greenhouse
Hamilton’s objective is to write a history of the politics of climate emissions in Australia increasing by 25% between 1990 and 2004.
change in Australia. Subtitled ‘The Dirty Politics of Climate Change’, Hamilton maintains that by 2010 the increase in total emissions
Scorcher traces the history of domestic and international manoeuvring by excluding land use and forestry will exceed 30%, and that emissions from
the Australian Government to protect certain sectors of Australian burning fossil fuel is growing so rapidly that Australia is not expected to
industry from the impact of attempts to reduce emissions. meet the target set by the Kyoto Protocol. He bluntly describes
Beginning with an explanation of the principles underlying the climate government claims otherwise as ‘a lie’.

78 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
BOOK REVIEW
The Australian Government’s justifications for not ratifying the change in the environment which in turn accelerates increases in global
Protocol as outlined in the book include that: temperatures. The warning is that “we have less than ten years to cut
u Australia only contributes 1.4% of global emissions and therefore the carbon emissions before global warming runs out of control and changes
difference made by any cut backs would have a negligible effect. the world forever”.
u Developing countries had been exempted from the Protocol and this In ‘Scorcher’ Hamilton builds a case towards the appalling conclusion
was ‘unfair’ and would undermine the effectiveness of the agreement that in order to protect Australia’s fossil fuel and high emission industries;
because they will be responsible for more future emissions than the Australian Government is actually engaged in an attempt to sabotage
developed countries. the Kyoto Protocol at the international as well as on the domestic front.
u Australia would be disadvantaged because it is rich in fossil fuels. The book reads like a current affairs transcript as despatches come
u The agreement was not in Australia’s ‘national interest’. in. Well researched, it provides a basis for understanding the complexity of
Hamilton counters the government’s position, argueing that: the climate change debate in Australia.
u Australia is the world’s seventh largest greenhouse gas emitter. “The last time it was 3°C warmer, sea levels were 25 metres higher ...
u Australia has the highest annual emissions per capita of any once you get the process started and well on the way it is impossible to
industrialised country. prevent it.” – Dr James Hansen, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for
u If the world were made up of only 71 nations, each of which was Space Studies as quoted, p181, 2007
responsible for 1.4% of emissions then that would account for 100% of
emissions. Postcript
u Climate change is being caused by the concentration of past In December 2006 a joint government industry task group was
emissions made by rich, developed countries. He notes that estabished to advise on the nature and design of a workable global
Australia’s “20 million people produce more greenhouse pollution than emissions trading system in which Australia would be able to participate.
Indonesia’s 200 million”. In its Terms of Reference it is prescribed that Australia’s major
u Every international agreement on climate change, including Kyoto, competitive advantages through the possession of large reserves of fossil
recognises that developing countries will be required to cut their fuels and uranium must be preserved when assessing Australia’s further
emissions. contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Hamilton explains that under the Kyoto Protocol, emissions are The Task Group will be supported by a joint whole-of-government and
counted when released, not when fossil fuels are mined. This is significant business secretariat located in the Department of the Prime Minister.
because it will be Australia’s customers who burn our fossil fuels that will On 31 May 2007, the Prime Ministers Task Group on emissions trading
be penalised under a carbon emissions trading system that is expected to will report to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
operate between 2008 and 2012. All the political obfuscation in Australia It will be chaired by Dr Peter Shergold, Secretary of the Department of
will not change this fact. Prime Minister and Cabinet and its membership includes:
According to Hamilton, government commissioned modelling u Mr Peter Coates, Executive Committee Member, Xstrata
concludes that by 2010 the cost of not ratify the Kyoto Protocol will be u Mr Tony Concannon, Managing Director, International Power
greater than ratifying it, due to the actions of other countries reducing u Mr Russell Higgins, Non-Executive Company Director Australian
their fossil fuel imports. Pipeline Trust
Overall energy efficiency is poor in Australia compared with other u Ms Margaret Jackson, Chairman, Qantas
OECD countries. Hamilton refers to studies that show that Australia could u Mr Chris Lynch, Executive Director, BHP Billiton
reduce its energy consumption by 20% at zero cost, and therefore easily u Mr John Marlay, Chief Executive Officer, Alumina Limited
meet our Kyoto target, even being able to sell our surplus emission u Mr John Stewart, Managing Director, National Australia Bank
permits to other countries. u Mr David Borthwick, Secretary, Department of the Environment and
Rather than seeking to deny climate change, Hamilton suggests that Heritage
the strategic approach would be to exploit Australia’s massive resources of u Dr Ken Henry, Secretary, The Treasury
alternatives such as, solar, wind, tidal and geothermal energy. Our u Mr Michael L’Estrange, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and
advantage derives from large land area, sunny climate and long coastline, Trade
and our expertise. He argues that Australia is actually “particularly well u Mr Mark Paterson, Secretary, Department of Industry, Tourism and
placed for the longer term global energy revolution”. Resources
There is a sense of increasing urgency towards the end of the book as Source:
Hamilton introduces the concept of “tipping points”—the significant http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Release/2006/media_Release2293.cfm
worsening of a climate change affect as global warming precipitates a http://www.ipcc.ch

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fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es • 79
HUMAN CAPITAL

15 minutes of facility
management fame
BY FACILITY PERSPECTIVES’ MELANIE DRUMMOND

Jan Biggs may have trouble keeping her desk tidy, but it doesn’t stop her keeping
on top of her role as Facilities Manager for Merrill Lynch (Australia), one of the
world’s leading wealth management, capital markets and advisory companies.

W
ith offices in 37 countries and facilities manager, Janet also suggests a number
territories, Merrill Lynch offers a of other attributes needed to achieve the KPI’s
broad range of services to private required in her hectic role:
clients, small businesses, “Don’t take things personally, laugh don’t cry,
institutions, corporations and high net worth have patience, don’t be afraid to make decisions,
individuals. In Australia, the company operates plan, have strong organisational skills, have great
from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth Offices with a people to work with and communicate both good
total of 411 employees nationally, and that’s and bad news in a timely fashion.”
where Janet comes in. Having worked extensively in facilities over
She’s kept busy looking after the Australian the past 10 years, Jan still sees problems facing
facilities portfolio which includes leases, fitouts, the Facilities Management industry.
churn, business travel, occupational health and “A challenge is still the ever-changing
safety, maintenance, catering, concierge, environment and the demands of the job are still
switchboard, mail, copiers and third party 24x7 by 365 days a year. The blurred line of
devices. which services should and do come under a
“Every day I’m responsible for service on the facilities manager. How do you measure
client floor in regards to catering, and reception. At performance and salaries when all FM’er roles
present we are going through a restack, so its are different? I don’t believe we have ever had a
plans, sign offs, looking to long-term future Jan Biggs definition of a Facilities Manager that could be
strategy, and ensuring we have flexibility to meet called ‘Generic’. I believe setting the base line is
the business needs throughout different stages of the market cycle.” underway with the FMA accreditation programme, as it takes into account
Her team consists of outsourced providers which total 21 – most of the experience of the individual and provides a guide for the level of
them based on the premises, and a total of 4 full-time Merrill staff expertise that companies are looking to employ.”
nationally. She also oversees the Melbourne operation and manages the Janet would also like to see Facility Management explored further by
facilties in Perth . The extent of her responsibilities brings with it a number young people looking for a challenging and constantly changing career
of obstacles to overcome each week, a challenge she takes gracefully in path.
stride. “I would like to see an option of a course at TAFE level so it could be
“Apart from the usual maintenance and operational issues common to taught straight from school. It would attract more men, but women in
the FM role, one of our biggest challenges is finding space for new hires particular at a younger age into an industry which I think is exciting and
that meet compliance rules governing Chinese walls between different full of opportunities.”
parts of the business. To overcome these it’s important to have good Unfortunately, the nature of Jan’s exciting job doesn’t allow her to
communication with all parties involved and to build a smart and achieve everything she would like to each day.
responsive team that can meet deadlines and that aren’t afraid to ask “I do find it a bit challenging to keep my desk tidy, no one would ever
questions.” find anything if I got run over tomorrow to pick up and run with. Although
While good communication is a cornerstone in succeeding as a of course, I think it’s organised!”

80 • fa c i l it y p e rs p e c ti v es
Make your recruitment simple.
Spend some time with us.
Hays Facilities Management has been servicing Australia for more than a decade and with a dedicated team of
professionals we take an honest and efficient approach to establishing your best course of action and offer advice
on taking the next strategic step. So make it simple, spend some time with us.
We specialise in:
• Facilities Managers • Facilities Coordinators
• Maintenance Managers • Building Managers
• Project Managers • Service Managers
• Soft Service Managers • Maintenance Electricians
• Refrigeration Mechanics • Security Technicians
• Fire Technicians
Contact us for more details

Hays Facilities Management locations:

Adelaide 08 8212 5242 cp.adelaide@hays.com.au


Brisbane 07 3243 3002 fm.brisbane@hays.com.au
Canberra 02 6230 5142 fm.canberra@hays.com.au
Hobart 03 6234 9554 fm.hobart@hays.com.au
Perth 08 9486 9553 fm.perth@hays.com.au
Melbourne 03 8616 8400 fm.queenstreet@hays.com.au
Sydney 02 9249 2222 fm.sydney@hays.com.au

Specilist Recruitment hays.com.au


fa• cil• i• ties [fe sil et ies] n. pl.
an establishment set up to fulfil a particular
function or provide a particular service.
ORIGIN early 16th cent. From French facilite,
or Latin facilitas.

man• age •ment [man ij ment] n.


the people in charge of running a company
or organisation, regarded collectively:
management was extremely cooperative.

: PROPERTY

: EXECUTIVE

: ARCHITECTURE

: CONSTRUCTION & CIVIL

: FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

: RESOURCES, MINING & POWER

: PROJECT MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

To plan your career : contact Adam Kelly on 07 3105 2311


www.dmgroup.com.au

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