17 NOVEMBER 2011
Building design consultants, Cundall, and the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion have been recognised for excellence in office energy efficiency at this year's CitySwitch SA Signatory of the Year Awards.
The Awards celebrate the achievements of organisations taking part in Adelaide City Council’s CitySwitch Green Office Program and were announced this afternoon by Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood at Adelaide’s newest green building - the South Australia Police Headquarters.
“Over the past 12 months, both Cundall and the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion have demonstrated an incredible commitment to greening their city offices,” Stephen said. “They have set a benchmark which we hope will encourage other offices to join the CitySwitch program.”
Cundall is a great example of a small tenancy taking a proactive approach, constantly measuring and monitoring its energy consumption and changing its behaviour to reduce their energy load. They were awarded Signatory of the Year for the office category under 2000 square metres.
The Department for Communities and Social Inclusion CBD office won the CitySwitch Signatory of the Year in the over 2000 square metres category for the second year running. The Department has undertaken back-to-back NABERS ratings and make an ongoing effort to communicate their proactive approach to staff in smaller tenancies across the state.
Zero Waste SA was awarded a commendation in the under 2000 square metre category for its continued efforts after winning last year's inaugral award for this category.
Sustainable Focus were nominated for the National New Signatory Award, with the winner to be announced shortly.
Congratulations to all our nominees and award winners, as well as our entire Signatory base for the achievements made to date in the program and we look forward to building on our collaborative efforts in the upcoming year.
Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood (left) presents
Paul Davy, Principle of Cundall with the SA
Signatory of the Year Award (under 2000sqm).
14 JULY 2011
Adelaide is once again leading the way in the green building market, with more than 15 per cent of the City's office floor space signed up to CitySwitch Green Office Program. The program has recently welcomed some key players, including private sector organisations Aurecon, Davis Langdon and Sustainable Focus, as well as state and local government agencies, the Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS) and the Local Government Association.
These recent additions ensure that CitySwitch in South Australia is well on its way to meet 20 per cent of their CBD NLA target by 2012 and assist the City of Adelaide to drive down its greenhouse gas emissions. Through knowledge sharing and networking events, CitySwitch Signatories provide one another with vital ideas to help deliver on their commitments, whilst having access to significant resources provided through the CitySwitch intranet and financial incentives through energy reductions and discounts on services.
Adelaide City Council invites other organisations to get on board as soon as possible to reap the benefits.
2 DECEMBER 2010
Zero Waste SA and the Department for Families and Communities have been recognised for excellence in office energy efficiency at the inaugural CitySwitch SA Signatory of the Year Awards.
Adelaide Lord Mayor, Mr Stephen Yarwood announced the winners this morning at the first ever awards ceremony held at Innovate SA. Over the past 12 months, these two State Government agencies have demonstrated an incredible commitment to greening their city offices. Both offices have exceeded their respective CitySwitch commitments in energy efficiency, achieving 4.5 stars in the National Australian Built Environment Rating System.
Zero Waste SA and the Department for Families and Communities have set a benchmark which we hope will generate an ongoing change in office tenants’ commitment to going green.
Zero Waste SA is a great example of a small tenancy not resting on its laurels and was awarded Signatory of the Year for the office category under 2000 square metres. The office has been innovative in its approach to new technology in energy, water and waste after installing a web-based dashboard to monitor and help minimise use. Zero Waste SA was praised by the CitySwitch judges as a leader in the field through its dedication in the pursuit of energy efficiency and finding creative and innovative ideas to save energy along the way. “The team has shown commitment to reducing the ecological footprint of its own operations and those of others businesses through its REAP program.”
The Department for Families and Communities CBD office won the CitySwitch Signatory of the Year in the over 2000 square metres category. “Despite this department having only a minor budget to undertake green initiatives it has still managed to deliver outcomes for long term energy and greenhouse gas reductions,” Stephen said. Highlights from the judges on the department’s achievements included the Staff Greening Program, a reduction in paper use, lighting upgrades, zero waste to landfill and purchasing electric hybrid vehicles. “The Department for Families and Communities is a great example of leadership from within an organisation, rather than being driven from the top,” he said.
22 SEPTEMBER 2010
Lord Mayor Michael Harbison hosted a civic reception at the Adelaide Town Hall on Monday 20th September 2010 to welcome 15 new City Switch Signatories to the program, adding a further 65,000sqm to its NLA target, bringing the total NLA to 120,000sqm or 12% of the Adelaide CBD. At the reception Lord Mayor Harbison also celebrated the early achievement of a 60% reduction in Council greenhouse gas emissions, based upon 1994 levels, more than a year prior to the anticipated 2012 target. The event was attended by an impressive 180 people and was extremely well received. Paul Mooney, Director Knight Frank, spoke of the imperative for the commercial property industry to lead by example and the quick wins that tenants can achieve to improve their NABERS ratings.
The Lord Mayor closed the evening by giving his thanks to the community for their continued support of Council’s sustainability initiatives and acknowledged the fantastic platform that has been built to enable CitySwitch to reach and exceed its 2012 target of committing 20% of the CBD NLA to the program.
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30 JUNE 2010
Adelaide is once again showing its strength in the green building market, with more than 10 percent of the City's office floor space signed up to CitySwitch Green Office Program. The program has recently welcomed some key players, including private sector organisations Santos, Statewide Super, Baulderstone and ISIS, as well as government agencies Sustainability and Climate Change Division (DPC), SA Health, Department of Families and Communities and Innovate SA.
These recent additions will ensure that CitySwitch continues to build momentum in South Australia and assist the City of Adelaide to meet its greenhouse emission reduction targets. Through knowledge sharing and networking events, CitySwitch Signatories provide one another with vital ideas to help deliver on their commitments, whilst having access to significant resources provided through the CitySwitch intranet.
12 MAY 2010
Adelaide’s recent CitySwitch Café Series event announced the opportunity for SA Signatories to participate in a Council funded Green Team implementation program. Funding is available to support a limited number of SA Signatories in the delivery of their CitySwitch Commitment.
Signatories are invited to participate in the six-step program which focuses on improving NABERS ratings and includes assistance with the development of a draft internal Sustainability Action Plan.
The program provides assistance with gaining executive support for sustainability implementation, setting-up an internal Green Team, as well as hosting an interactive workshop with key staff involved from specific areas across the organisation to ensure that the sustainability action plan is adopted and supported from all levels and departments.
In addition, technical support and advice will be provided to ensure implementation will happen in a timely manner and the energy efficiency benefits are reaped quickly. Click here for more details on the implementation program >
Please contact SA CitySwitch Program Manager, Kendal Marsland for more information at k.marsland@adelaidecitycouncil.com or on (08) 8203 7204.
15 SEPTEMBER 2009
The first Café Series event held in South Australia kindly hosted by Jones Lang LaSalle was a resounding success.
An impressive turnout of guests from 15 of the 18 Adelaide-based Signatories came to hear about obtaining and improving on NABERS Energy tenancy ratings. CitySwitch Signartory, Jones Lang LaSalle, presented practical and cost effective ways for tenancy's to improve their NABERS Energy ratings and building related carbon emissions. In addition, Don Fairweather, formally of CGU, offered practical lessons learnt in achieveing successful green fit-outs.
5 JUNE 2009
Adelaide City Council called on the City’s commercial office tenants to follow its lead and go green on 5 June to mark World Environment Day.
As a partner in CitySwitch Green Office, Adelaide City Council is one of 15 City businesses and organisations to sign up to the program.
Lord Mayor Michael Harbison said Council is working with commercial office tenants in Adelaide to help them achieve sustainability through CitySwitch Green Office. “Adelaide City Council is a proud signatory to CitySwitch Green Office and a number of the City’s businesses that occupy large and small office spaces have already followed our example,” said the Lord Mayor.
“Many commercial office tenants in Australia use huge amounts of energy and electricity – CitySwitch Green Office has the potential to reduce our City's annual greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 11,000 tonnes of carbon emissions by 2012, and save up to $2 million each year in unnecessary energy costs.
“We are aiming to have 20 per cent of commercial office space in the CBD involved in this program by 2012 – this is an ambitious target, but it can be achieved and will generate a market change in tenants’ commitment to going green.
“With today being World Environment Day, it’s the perfect time for City businesses to sign up to CitySwitch Green Office and make tangible changes in their office environment.
The local arm of commercial property services firm Colliers International was among the first businesses to sign up to CitySwitch Green Office in Adelaide. State Chief Executive James Young said the company is greening its own tenancy and working with its clients to continue making a positive difference.
“The built environment is only the starting point - together we can help each other take actions in our work places to change behaviour generating positive outcomes for our businesses, as well as the environment,” said Mr Young. “We are already taking up simple, easy to implement sustainable practices in our office including using double-sided printing and copying, recycling superseded PC equipment, and having energy-efficient server rooms.”
Adelaide City Council acknowledges the Adelaide signatories to CitySwitch Green Office: • SA Water • Commonwealth Bank • Savings & Loans • Macquarie Group • Colliers International • Jones Lang LaSalle • Zero Waste SA • Hames Sharley • Arup • CB Richard Ellis • Conservation Council of SA • Energy Conservation Systems • Big Switch Projects • Cundall
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Thursday 17 November saw Adelaide celebrate its collective CitySwitch achievements at the Annual Awards and Progress Report event. Read more >
Congratulations Cundall and Department for Communities and Social Inclusion for winning this year's SA Awards. Thank you to all Signatories for a fantastic year. Read more>
CitySwitch Program Overview [PDF | 140KB] >
Template Commitment Letter - SA - Adelaide >
NABERS Accredited Assessors >
More CitySwitch resources >