Property & Buildings
We aim to be a thoughtful tenant, and wherever possible we’ll occupy buildings with a favourable energy efficiency rating. We partner with landlords on environmental initiatives such as waste management, recycling and energy efficiency.
Being responsible tenants
We actively seek to reduce the number of car parking spaces under lease and promote the use of public transport for staff and clients. With this in mind we look for properties that are close to transport links and cater for all types of mobility. We seek out buildings that offer sustainable end-of-trip facilities such as bike racks, showers and exercise areas to support staff wellbeing initiatives. Small things can make a difference too, whether it’s implementing systems that ‘snooze’ when not in use, or technology that turns itself off each night. We strive to put in place initiatives big and small in all our environments.
Sustainable workplace design
We’re implementing best-practice workplace design initiatives that target wellbeing at work. Some initiatives include:- a more flexible workplace aimed at getting staff to move their bodies regularly
- ergonomic assessments
- trialling and implementing standing desks
- understanding staff commuting times, including mapping where our staff live in relation to our premises.
These initiatives have led to a 2020 workplace strategy aimed at creating a workplace suited to a more geographically-diverse workforce. That will mean greater flexibility for everyone.
A case in point: the Nishi Building, Canberra
We have leased space for our Canberra City office in the Nishi Building in New Acton, Australian Capital Territory. It’s a perfect demonstration of our emphasis on sustainable practices.
Nishi is a significant advancement in environmentally-sustainable architecture. Every aspect of its Japanese-inspired design has been considered so that occupants benefit from its innovative solar-heat retention principles.
Through these outstanding sustainability credentials, the Nishi building surpassed many others to win the International Project of the Year at the 2015 Building Awards in London.
The building is Canberra’s most sustainable mixed-use building complex, and boasts the highest possible National Australian Built Environmental Ratings System (NABERS) rating (5) and Green Star Rating (6), which rate a building’s energy efficiency.
Nishi features the largest single-building solar panel installation (400 kW) on any commercial building in Australia and is even classified as a Solar Farm under ACT Government legislation. “Leasing one floor at Nishi is equivalent to planting 1,387 trees or preserving 7,500 square metres of rainforest annually”, says real estate management Colliers, the building manager.
