Continuing with the theme of sustainability we decided to focus on the Green Rating system in this month’s issue. Our coverage includes a wide spectrum of issues associated with the rating system and its current application in NSW.

1. ISSUE 67, JULY 2007
NAWICNEWS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION (NSW)
In this issue:
President’s Message 01
How Green is
Effective Voting Tools
How Green is your Building? 03
Greener Building Rates
02
04
Your Building?
Oxfam Trailwalkers 05 Continuing with the theme of sustainability we decided to focus on the Green Rating
system in this month’s issue.
Golf Day 06
Our coverage includes a wide spectrum of issues associated with the rating system
Autumn Lunch 07
and its current application in NSW.
Back page Info 08
As this is the last issue for the current 2006/2007 newsletter committee a heart felt
thanks to the committee (Isabella Allan from Sage Allan, Charmian Barton from
Cutler Hughes Harris, Lindsay Prehn from Minters) our desk top publisher Paul Clark
For more information about from Clark Design who developed our new look editions for 2006/07, Cameo for the
NAWIC and becoming a distribution to our NAWIC membership, our various proof readers, Ana Beretin from
member Southern Cross for the website version of our newsletter and of course thanks to you
Email info@nawic.com.au and contributors whose help we need to make each edition interesting.
Tel 02 9280 2323 We had lots of fun putting together the 2006/07 editions and wish the next newsletter
NAWIC National Coordination Office committee team all the best in spreading the news about the great work our
PO Box 879 membership and others are doing in the world of construction.
Broadway NSW 2007 Ed.
* Mid Course Correction - Toward a Sustainable Enterprise:The Interface Model 1998 Ray Anderson, Peregrinzilla Press.
President’s Message
Welcome to our This year we have introduced an additional effort to ensure that the Chapter is in good
June issue. award, the TAFE Workplace Team Innovation shape to hand over to the management of
At the Autumn Award which is in recognition of teams the incoming board. The details of the new
lunch we were and the input they can have on projects board will be included in the next newsletter
fortunate to hear and office culture. I encourage you all due for issue in July.
from Su-fern Tan, to consider entering one of the award This year has seen a number of changes
in the early stages categories. The Awards entry forms were initiated, including the move of the annual
of a very promising emailed to all members recently. If you lunch featuring the Crystal Vision Award
career, and from have not received yours please check the winner from Spring to Autumn, the hosting
Kate Moore who has an established career website. of the National Conference here in Sydney
and is a leader in her field. Su-fern won the We have a great Awards committee who are and as we have outgrown the Town Hall we
Future Leaders scholarship 2006 and Kate committed to ensuring that the Awards Ball have moved the Awards of Excellence Ball
was our 2005 Crystal Vision winner. Both at Luna Park will be biggest and best that from the Town Hall to the larger Big Top at
were very inspiring speakers. we have held to date – it is one of the largest Luna Park.
The Awards of Excellence Ball was launched construction industry events so make sure I wish to congratulate Sascha, Jessica,
by John Barker of Rider Hunt who now that you book your tickets early. Lindsay and Lucy on their relocation
sponsors the Crystal Vision Award. This This is my last column as President and I overseas to either further their careers or
year the Ball will be held at Luna Park as a would like to sincerely thank Isabella and studies and to Sandra and Charmian on
result of the high demand for tickets, as we her team for the fresh look and all the hard the birth of their babies, both little girls,
always sell out at least a month in advance. work that has gone into the 2006-2007 Lucinda and Emma.
The move allows more members and newsletters. The Board comprising the Kind regards
supporters to attend this event.. Executive, the Committee Chairs, along with Michelle
all committee members, and the National
Board members have put in an exceptional
“to promote and improve the construction industry through the advancement of women within it” NAWIC 01

2. Using Rating Tools
Effectively
by Mary Casey
Rating tools are useful for many reasons, them to get the most ecological bang for
but their benefit to both a project and the your buck. So get the right team and aim
environment is determined by how well they high.
are applied, and good strategic planning is
4. Choose Your Weapon(s). With this
the key to successful application.
knowledge, you are now ready to choose
Based on measurable, verifiable information, the tool that rates what you intend to
rating tools provide third-party verification address. Another issue to consider at this
of green performance claims. Because of point is that of policies, both for your client,
the specificity of their requirements, they and your own internal company policies,
also help to create a shared understanding as some clients or management teams
of what constitutes ‘green building’ in may have a preference for a particular tool.
the marketplace. Finally, they help you Whatever tool you choose, include it in your
to benchmark your performance against process early, as it will have implications
other buildings down the street, across the for the design process, and may affect
country, and around the world. everyone’s fees.
When choosing a tool, there is good news In a perfect world, all this is done in the
and there is bad news. The good news briefing and concept design stages.
is that there are a lot of tools to choose However, a good rating can still be achieved
from. The bad news is…there are a lot of even if the process isn’t letter-perfect,
tools to choose from. Finding the one that as long as the core strategic principles
best fits your project is much easier if you are followed. As an example, a major
understand your impacts and your goals refurbishment project at UNSW, the Heffron
before you start looking at tools. Then, Building, is being converted to offices for
selecting the right tool can actually help the the Faculty of Commerce. The University
design process, guiding your team towards and the design team were committed to
an integrated approach, focussing the sustainable principles, and included several
design effort, and keeping delivery on the measures for energy-efficiency and IEQ,
agenda. Here are some basic guidelines to without reference to a rating tool. When
getting good results: green rating requirements became part
of the policy for UNSW facilities in 2005,
1. Define Your Impacts. Before you look
design for Heffron was well underway,
at any rating tool, determine the nature
but the team decided to find out how the
and extent of the ecological impact of
building would rate in Green Star anyway.
your business or project. These impacts
Because the goals, impacts and targets
could include biodiversity, water, energy,
had been discussed from the beginning, it is
greenhouse, waste or other emissions. The
currently on track for a 4 star rating, which
nature of your impact could have significant Heffron Building, University of New South Wales
represents Best Practice under the Green
budget implications, and will probably affect
Star system. – Aiming for a 4 star rating in Green Star Office
the expertise you need to collect in your
design team. In summary, rating tools help set the bar for Design
your design team, and early application is – Project team includes fjmt, Lincolne Scott,
2. Define Your Goals. Now take a look at
the most effective and most efficient - but Connell Wagner, and Bovis Lend Lease, with
your goals for addressing those impacts. Do
don’t ask them to do the hard work for you. McLL as Project Directors.
you want to focus on design? Operations?
These tools are meant to guide the design
Both? Environmental issues? Social
process, not to define it. It is still up to the
sustainability? Triple bottom line? You may
client and her design team to determine
find you need a combination of tools to rate
priorities and performance goals.
your project goals.
3. Define Your Targets. Now that you
Mary Casey is a Senior Consultant with
understand your ESD focus, determine
McLachlan Lister, and specialises in projects
where you want to place yourself in the
with complex and interrelated performance
market – is best practice good enough, or
criteria with a focus on improved
do you want to do something of national
sustainability outcomes. She has over 12
or world significance? Studies in both
years of design and construction industry
the U.S and Australia have shown that
experience across several building types,
there is no statistical correlation between
including commercial, residential, retail,
additional cost and improved environmental
healthcare, and hospitality. She is a LEED-
outcomes; it all depends on what strategies
Accredited Professional, and a Green Star
you pursue, and how well you can integrate
Accredited Professional.
“to promote and improve the construction industry through the advancement of women within it” NAWIC 02

3. How Green is your building?
(and how to make it greener)
by Rosemary Kelly
How green is your building? or fresh air cycles, increased daylight levels – Lighting systems and controls -
As a construction professional, chances and refurbishment with ‘healthy’ materials rationalisation of artificial lighting quantity,
are you are office based. Even more likely can improve morale and productivity type, location and switching strategy
you spend most of your waking hours amongst occupants. Clever, more efficient
– Water Management- water efficient
in this type of environment! A few of you space planning can reduce the area
tapware and fixtures, repair of leaks.
will be fortunate enough to work in an per person while delivering an overall
environmentally friendly building – probably improvement in the quality of the space. For – Renewable/energy technologies – solar,
recently built, maybe with an environmental growing organisations, this is particularly geothermal, co-generation opportunities.
(ABGR, Green star) rating. The majority of attractive.
us, however, probably spend our working – Indoor Environmental Quality – use of low
And finally, green refurbishment delivers impact materials and finishes.
lives within commercial office buildings
economic benefits in several ways- direct
of a certain age and type, designed
operational cost savings through lower – Waste management- during construction
before widespread awareness of ‘green’
utilities bills, increased productivity of and operation.
buildings and understanding of the complex
employees and, not to be overlooked
relationship between buildings, their While the physical structure, fitout and
or undervalued, the marketing kudos
occupants and the environment. systems of a building can be refurbished
associated with a green fitout or building
to facilitate improved environmental
So what do we mean by ‘green’ buildings? refurbishment.
performance, the greening potential of an
The Green Building Council of Australia
So how can a building become ‘greener’? existing building cannot be fully realised
definition is “one that incorporates design,
Improving the environmental performance without modifications in occupant behaviour
construction and operational practices that
of an existing commercial building requires where necessary (how green are your
significantly reduce or eliminate the negative
a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach. Every building users?). Building users need to be
impact of development on the environment
aspect of the building must be examined, educated, encouraged and able to control
or occupants” through a number of
measured and evaluated. To benchmark their own environment.
strategies. How do we measure how
( and provide an immediate answer to
green? The GBCA has developed a suite Many studies have shown that ‘perceived
the question’ how green is our building’?)
of rating tools to measure the performance control’ over one’s environment increases
existing performance should be measured
of commercial buildings over a range of user satisfaction. Once completed and
-energy and water consumption, efficiency
criteria. The ABGR rating is another tool occupied, performance can be measured
of plant, waste generation, health/morale/
which measures energy consumption and and compared to pre-refurbishment
productivity of employees and occupant
carbon emissions. performance.
behaviour. This process identifies key areas
Commercial office buildings built between for improvement. While there are examples of ‘deep green’
the 1950’s to 1990’s – typically sealed building refurbishments, the good news
The stakeholders must also agree on a
glass or glass/precast concrete boxes is that even small improvements applied
green target – how green do we want the
with uniform facades – are most probably over a number of buildings can significantly
building to be? Some organisations set
not very green, particularly if they have not reduce environmental impacts. Even better,
targets for improvement (eg. % reduction in
undergone major renovation within their synergies start to emerge in greening –
energy use over a set period), others may
lifetime. Moreover, as sealed environments,
target an AGBR or Green Star rating, while less artificial lighting reduces power
Internal Environmental Quality (air quality,
others may go all out for a ‘deep green” consumption directly and indirectly through
daylight, ventilation rates) may be poor
building. Obviously the targets must be reduced internal heat load on AC systems,
which can impact on the health and
achievable and be aligned with the owner’s reduced hot water delivery through water
productivity of occupants.
budget and aspirations. efficient fixtures saves water and energy.
Bad news? Not at all. Buildings of this
Existing buildings can ‘greened’ in A greening master plan should be used
vintage represent prime opportunities
many ways and to varying extents. which implements low cost/ short payback
for astute owners/developers and are
The main areas to target for improved measures first- reduced operating costs can
ripe for “greening”. Refurbishment
environmental performance are: then fund more expensive measures until
of existing buildings to improve their
environmental performance is a smart move the building reaches it’s green target. Best
– Building envelope – glazing , insulation,
environmentally, socially and economically. of all, building owners and occupants can
shading, infiltration, colour/reflectivity/
Re-using existing buildings is one of the measure the performance of their building
absorption.
greenest actions in terms of resource and provide a conclusive answer to the
conservation (recycling on a large scale) – Daylighting – increased levels and question “how green is your building?”
while making them more operationally penetration (glazing, light shelves, internal
efficient delivers further resource reductions. surfaces).
Moreover, existing buildings are serviced Rosemary Kelly is an Architect and
– Natural ventilation – operable windows, Associate with Group GSA. She has
by existing infrastructure, thus reducing the
louvers, internal voids to take advantage of recently completed a postgraduate degree
requirement for new urban infrastructure.
stack effect principles. in Sustainable Development at UNSW.
The impact of green refurbishment on
– HVAC Systems- increased efficiency fans
occupants can be significant. Improved air
and motors, fresh air cycles, heat recovery.
quality through (ideally) operable windows
“to promote and improve the construction industry through the advancement of women within it” NAWIC 03

4. Greener Buildings Rate
High on the Agenda
by Lindsay Prehn and Eliza Evans, Minter Ellison Lawyers
Environmental considerations are key Proponents of ABGR and Greenstar suggest Owners also need to be cognisant of
factors affecting business decisions today. the rating schemes enable the minimisation other factors which may affect an ABGR
There are currently two accepted rating of negative environmental impacts of or Green Star rating being achieved,
methods of tracking the environmental commercial development by encouraging for example:
impact of buildings in Australia: the best practice in design, construction,
(i) the tenant fitout impact, particularly
Australian Building Greenhouse Rating operation and management of commercial
where the owner or developer of the
scheme (ABGR) and the Green Star buildings .
building is not directly involved in the fitout;
environmental rating scheme (Green Star).
In addition to the obvious environmental
(ii) the construction process; and
ABGR is a performance based rating benefits, there are a number of other
scheme which measures actual greenhouse reasons why organisations may choose (iii) how the building will be occupied
emissions. Green Star is a design and to adopt an ABGR or Green Star rating in and operated including operating hours,
construction based rating scheme which respect of a development, including: cleaners hours, age of computers, number
offers a more holistic approach through of computers, lighting, air-conditioning and
(a) public and market recognition of a
the measurement of a range of factors car parks.
commitment to environmental considerations;
including building management, emissions,
ABGR and Green Star rating schemes are
energy consumption, indoor health quality, (b) commercial considerations such as lower
useful tools in rating the environmental
innovation, land use and ecology, materials, energy costs and/or lower operating costs;
impact of commercial buildings. As the
transport and water. and
choice, and implementation, of a rating
While participation in the rating schemes (c) Government, Council or a tenant’s can be a complex process, it is important
is voluntary, many Councils impose a constraints. to seek assistance from experienced
minimum ABGR in their development consultants at all stages.
While there are considerable environmental
consents for commercial buildings. In
benefits in adopting either an ABGR or Green
addition, many Government departments
Star rating for a development, the cost of
require a minimum Green Star rating before
achieving such ratings may often require
they will consider occupying a commercial
higher development costs.
building as a tenant.
SCENARIO
Issue
A Developer enters into an agreement to design and construct a commercial office building for a Tenant with an ABGR of 4.5 and a
Green Star rating of 5. The Developer contracts with a Builder to build the building to those specifications and a Facility Manager to
manage the building following practical completion of the development project to maintain the ratings.
What are the concerns of each party to this development project?
DEVELOPER
Agreement for Design Construct Contract: Facility Management
Lease 4.5 ABGR and 5 Green Star Rating Agreement
TENANT BUILDER FACILITY MANAGER
Considerations
(a) Developer: may use an ABGR or Green Star rating to attract a tenant in the initial phases of development.
Will need to consider costs of achieving, and the ability to achieve, the relevant rating.
(b) Builder: is concerned with whether they can deliver what has been offered or promised.
(c) Tenant: different types of tenants will be more or less committed to achieving a high ABGR or Green Star rating.
Disclaimer: This article is prepared by the Minter Ellison Legal Group. Professional advice should be sought before applying the information to particular circumstances.
Bassett, ‘ABGR and Green Star Rating Schemes Compliance Analysis ATP- Seven Development’, 18 August 2006 www.duap.nsw.gov.au/asp/pdf/06_0149_appendix_x_esd_report1.pdf
“to promote and improve the construction industry through the advancement of women within it” NAWIC 04

5. Oxfam Trailwalkers
48 hours, 100kms of rugged Sydney The girls are currently in training for the
bush and the tenacity of an all women event, as well as being involved in other
construction team to make it to the finish sports, two of them are competitive sailors.
line! That’s a recipe for a great fund raising They are looking forward to meeting the
adventure, and the girls from Baulderstone challenge and raising as much money as
Hornibrook are willing to take it on! they can for Oxfam. The money donated is
channelled directly into Oxfam’s worldwide
Four women from the group are going
projects (including Indigenous Australia),
to undertake the world’s greatest team
to help some of the worlds poorest
challenge – and one of the toughest – the
communities.
Oxfam Trailwalker. They must complete a
100km walk beginning at Chowder Bay in We wish the girls the best of luck in their
Mosman and finish at the Brooklyn Bridge endeavours and encourage everyone to
at the Hawkesbury River. Whilst they are donate to this worthy cause. Just visit the
competing against hundreds of other teams Oxfam website:
from around Australia, there is also the
www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/
added incentive of trying to beat the men’s
Sydney/333
Building and Civil Engineering teams from
Baulderstone Hornibroook, so it’s full steam Look for their team name – the Walkers of
ahead!! Mass Distraction”, or look for their individual
names – Sophie Schaedel, Nicole Kidman,
Emma Hodgkinson and Louisa Geddes
– and donate directly to them.
Go s!
Girl
“to promote and improve the construction industry through the advancement of women within it” NAWIC 05

6. Golf
ay
D
“to promote and improve the construction industry through the advancement of women within it” NAWIC 06

7. Autumn Lunch
“to promote and improve the construction industry through the advancement of women within it” NAWIC 07

8. NAWIC NSW BOARD Future Events
Executive Check out www.nawic.com.au – the NSW Chapter Events page
President Michelle Caldwell-Shaw to find out when the following events are scheduled:
Bovis Lend Lease
Vice President Annie Tennant, Lend Lease – Balancing Life and Work 31st July
Communities – Taronga Zoo site visit 7th August
Treasurer Simone Concha
Lincolne Scott And of course our NAWIC Awards of Excellence on 16th August.
Secretary Natalie Lowe Book your table now!
McLachlan Lister
Check out our next edition or the website for new events.
National Directors
Letita Hope HASSELL
Catherine Morton Clayton Utz
Sandra Steele
Members
Lend Lease (on leave)
Our Thanks To...
Isabella Allan Sage Allan
Our thanks are extended to Lend Lease and HASSELL
Charmian Barton Cutler Hughes Harris
for hosting the monthly NSW Board of Management meetings.
Michelle Bentley Brazil Clean
Ana Beretin Southern Cross
Construction
Toni Blume
Meighan Heard
Sarah Hogan
Bovis Lend Lease
United Group
MPA Projects
Mark Your Diaries
Letitia Hope HASSELL Delivering the Future
NAWIC National Conference 2007
NAWIC Committees 2006-2007
The NSW Chapter of NAWIC is excited to be hosting the National
Events
Conference on 19 October 2007. With the theme of Delivering the Future,
Chair Ana Beretin
our program will be packed with high profile speakers that you will want
Members Ana Beretin, Julia Borghesi,
to hear from.
Sarah Hogan, Annie Tennant,
Amelia Tuckey.
So mark your diaries and check the website for further updates on our
Newsletter program of speakers and information on how to register for the
Chair Isabella Allan conference.
Members Charmian Barton (on leave)
Education
Chair
Member
Sandra Steele (on leave)
Irene Wales
Staying In Touch
Construction Critters
Sponsorship and Marketing NAWIC’s parents group. The group is aimed at maintaining your construction network
Chair Letitia Hope while on maternity/paternity leave and give you somewhere to talk “shop” with like minds.
Members Meighan Heard For more information contact Natasha on 0408 432 550 or Sharon on 0422 032 449.
They meet on the second Friday of each month. The nect Construction Critters gathering is
Awards
10.30 – 12.30, Friday 10th August, Centennial Park. Playground near Paddington gates.
Chair Sarah Hogan
Members Toni Blume, Letita Hope,
Natalie Lowe, Rebelle Rohde, A Cautionary Word…
Annie Tennant, Tina Woods At NAWIC (NSW) we like to capture the moments of networking fun that we have at our
Website events. Therefore we would like to notify all our members and guests that unless you
Chair Ana Beretin mention to us, at the time that a photo is taken, that you would prefer for your photo not
to be used, we will assume that we have your permission to use the photo on either our
Membership website or in our newsletter.
Chair Meighan Heard
Members Jennifer Bicknell
Thanks to our sponsors...
“to promote and improve the construction industry through the advancement of women within it” NAWIC 08