{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research and analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) Solutions for your business Contracts Online Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Industrial relations
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

GreenSmart does it again

GreenSmart does it again

{{ tag.label }} {{ tag.label }} $vuetify.icons.faTimes
The annual GreenSmart Symposium in Melbourne was a superb day by all accounts, jam-packed with learnings, networking and inspiration for HIA members.

Laura Valic

Editor

From an early morning walking tour to the late-night celebrations, the 2023 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards and Symposium was a dynamic event focused on the future of sustainable buildings. HIA members from across the country joined together in Melbourne on 25 August to hear about the latest sustainable ideas, regulations and product innovation from an impressive speaker line-up.

Following an invigorating curated design tour that explored the sustainable development initiatives and future plans for the city, attendees were greeted for the symposium by the day’s MC, comedian and TV personality, Tim Ross. His vibrant humour kept everyone engaged as he introduced the speakers, starting with a welcome address from the Hon. Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy. According to the minister, the Albanese Government is ensuring more Australians have access to energy-efficient homes.

HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin opened the symposium.

‘It’s why in the last Budget, we announced a $1.7 billion package to help households and businesses have more choice over their energy use,’ she says. ‘This is an immense opportunity. We’re looking forward to working with experts, industry and our communities to develop housing solutions that will mean more people can make every watt count.’

Helping to provide data to shape future regulations and illuminate emerging building trends is the CSIRO’s Australian Housing Data Portal and a first-of-its-kind AI-powered in-home building assessment tool – Rapid Rate. Attendees heard about the data being unlocked, and how this innovative technology is expected to provide economic, climate and societal benefits well beyond energy-efficient housing.

But the here and now is what many designer and builder members are keen to hear more about in order to prepare for regulatory change. Presented by Simon Croft, HIA’s leading expert on building codes and standards, the audience was taken through the current and future code changes coming into effect as Australia transitions towards net zero. From fast-tracking EV infrastructure in buildings to setting target limits on the embodied emissions of materials going into buildings, attendees such as HIA member Brodie Edge heard about both the opportunities and the challenges on the horizon for the residential construction industry.

A curated design tour explored the sustainable development initiatives and future plans for Melbourne city.

‘The event offered a deeper understanding of present and future regulations within the housing industry but from a practical perspective,’ says Brodie, Senior Draftsperson at Hamlan. ‘HIA GreenSmart’s commitment to offering real-world viewpoints sets it apart, making it an essential event for anyone seeking to navigate the complex landscape of sustainable housing regulations.’

Simon’s presentation was a natural segue for Kingspan’s Stuart Braine to discuss the company’s innovative Kooltherm K12 high-performance insulation. This product is touted to be an easy solution for building professionals to achieve new 7-star energy requirements (read more about Kingspan on pages 46-47). 

While a minimum of 7 stars is soon to become standard for residential construction, many who were sitting in the audience are leading the way in sustainable design and building, often achieving much higher energy performance ratings in their own projects. This is certainly the case for Grant Hartwig and Heather Ghidella from MyStyle Homes (QLD). 

Their 10-star MyInfinity house won the 2023 HIA Australian GreenSmart Display/Project Home award, presented to the duo later that evening, while Joe and Merylese Mercieca from Blue Eco Homes took out the 2023 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home award for a multi-generational and fully accessible house which was built to achieve the highly rigorous Passivhaus-Plus standards.

Also speaking to 10-star energy ratings was keynote speaker, environmental scientist and TV presenter, Dr Josh Byrne. A decade ago, Josh set an industry benchmark by designing a 10-star GreenSmart property in Fremantle, WA. Since it was built, he has been living there with his family, monitoring its performance and using the house as a learning lab for high-performance homes. Josh generously shared his observations and journey with attendees both on and off the stage.

The symposium continued into the afternoon with a panel session about the role of the energy assessor in light of continuing NCC energy-efficiency upgrades. The panellists dived into what stage of the design and construction process it makes sense for the assessor to intersect, in addition to the relevance of introducing an accreditation scheme for the profession.

Many attendees expressing a wish to get together again next year.

Before the much-anticipated awards evening kicked off, Liam Wallis from Melbourne-based HIP V. HYPE rounded off the event with a look into one of his company’s carbon-neutral apartment projects, Ferrars & York. Liam spoke about its design methodology and features, as well as how an integrated approach to form and functionality can encourage a more conscious and connected lifestyle for residents.

According to Jenny Haling, HIA Manager – Awards Program, the presentation was eye-opening, not only for how well Ferrars & York performs sustainably but how HIP V. HYPE works collectively with fellow professionals to constantly innovate. ‘They have in place processes to enable skilled people to collaborate to elevate the end outcome, benefiting the people living in the dwellings,’ she explains. ‘Their work with local manufacturers to create new timber products to a European standard is outstanding.’ 

With many attendees expressing a wish to get together again next year, keep your eye open for the 2024 details so you don’t miss your opportunity to attend such a dynamic business event! 

GreenSmart awards nominations open soon

Congratulations to this year’s Australian GreenSmart winners. To enter your own sustainable projects into next year’s awards, look out for nominations opening in early 2024.
HIA thanks NatHERS (major sponsor), Kingspan, The Australian Reinforcing Company, COLORBOND steel, Vantage’s AWS, Wood Solutions, Holcim, Bondor Metecno and HIA Insurance Services for their sponsorship support of the 2023 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards and Symposium.

First published on 1 November 2023

You might also like:

Awards Outdoor Inspiration Projects
Tropical wonder
After running their building and design business for more than 15 years, this husband-and-wife team created a sunny hideaway that won the 2024 HIA Australian Outdoor Project Award.
Jul 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Design Inspiration Projects
Blue steel
Beautifully versatile, this misty blend of cool blues with slate-grey undertones has emerged as a timeless combination. These shades evoke a sense of calmness and serenity, and can be seamlessly integrated with neutrals or bold ac...
Jul 24
1 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Inspiration Residential Projects
Parkside perfection
Perfectly positioned on the edge of the picturesque and heritage-listed Haig Parklands in the heart of Canberra, this award-winning project is the culmination of a visionary collaboration between Bellevue Building and DNA Architec...
Jul 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Building developments Projects
Built with purpose
Created to give independence to wheelchair-bound residents, the 2024 HIA Australian Specialised Housing project showcases the builder’s technical skills, thoughtful approach, and ability to meet a challenge head-on.
Jun 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Inspiration Residential Projects
An opulent oasis
Constructed with a clear vision and intentionality, Oasis Cronulla is all about luxury, location and an elevated lifestyle. As a result, this outstanding development won both the 2024 HIA Australian Apartment of the Year and 2024 ...
Jun 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Inspiration Residential Projects
Into the Horizon
The 2024 HIA-CSR Australian Home of the Year, named ‘Horizon’ for its endless views, is a symphony of bold asymmetric lines, crisply articulated in off-form concrete, steel and glass.
May 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Projects Construction Inspiration
Pushing boundaries
When a South Australian firm constructed an Adelaide home during the pandemic, they managed to incorporate distinctive elements that tested their problem-solving abilities.
Apr 24
3 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Projects Design Inspiration
How to introduce Peach Fuzz
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the prestigious Pantone Colour of the Year program, a global expression of mood and attitude. Its current Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz, brings a sense of serenity and positivity to any spa...
Mar 24
4 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Building developments Inspiration Projects
Luxury squared
Taking its design cues from classic European architecture, this cleverly engineered, deceptively detailed home has a commanding street presence.
Mar 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Awards Inspiration Projects
Leap of faith
When a ceramic artist purchased a dilapidated warehouse, he needed a building team that could sympathetically convert this space into a striking home and dynamic studio.
Mar 24
5 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Concrete Inspiration Residential Projects
Curves ahead
Inspired by the modernist glamour of Palm Springs, this curvaceous concrete-and-timber Brisbane home is as cool and fresh as a summer breeze.
Mar 24
3 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Awards Inspiration Projects
Fuel for thought
When a couple retired after running a service station for 30 years, they hired a fearless builder to create their dynamic 123 House.
Mar 24
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight