Deejan Ferrao

This cost forecasting algorithm is part of our value-based practitioner-academic research at WSU. Our team’s work provides a starting point for equitable protection of residential stakeholders. Thus, future cost chaos in the built environment can be lessened. Cost escalation, especially in construction, has been a significant factor since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic. The most prevalent effects are housing affordability and increased bankruptcies. These effects have made cost increases a root cause of several societal ills. This algorithm provides a prediction and should not be used solely to make cost forecasts. Other factors must be considered but are not quantifiable, such as extreme legislative activity and man-made disasters.  The housing market is chaotic, and economic “animal spirits” make consistently accurate forecasting a challenging vocation. To clarify this further, the stock market is notoriously irrational. However, if four reputable share advisors unanimously recommend “buy” or “sell,” following their advice has a high probability of benefit. The same applies here—more independent predictions outside of ours should be reviewed to make this significant economic decision, that is, to construct or not. When markets are calm, not chaotic, less destruction occurs. For example, consumers receive credits when costs decrease, and contractors receive reimbursement when costs increase. Everyone receives mostly what they bargained for. We predict our continuing research will become more holistic and complete. In the coming decade, Australia may experience unpredictable conditions that have not been part of our two-decade data capture. Additionally, the construction process will change (as it has always). John (Jan) Smolders AM Dave Froslie Rosalind Wang

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Good news for organisations with EPDs who are supplying Australian construction markets. EPDs will be acceptable evidence for low embodied carbon materials in the Australian Government's new Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy (ESPP). EPDs can also be used in the recognised sustainability rating pathways Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating and Green Star. EPD Australasia welcomes the release of the ESPP as a significant step in Australia’s progression towards a net zero, circular economy. The Policy, which takes effect on 1 July 2024 for construction services $7.5m or greater, aims to ensure that government officials purchase goods and services that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing materials circularity, and promoting environmental sustainability. EPD Australasia Chair John McArthur notes that many construction product manufacturers are making great strides in producing low embodied products as evidenced in their EPDs. This is making a huge difference to the upfront and embodied carbon reductions of major building and construction projects in Australia. Many of the Australian and New Zealand organisations for which we publish EPDs also have excellent circular economy credentials for their construction products. More information here: https://lnkd.in/gbzMYccJ #epd #en15804epd #lowembodiedcarbon #sustainability #circulareconomy #greenstar #infrastructuresustainability

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We’re pleased to see Australia’s Building Ministers growing commitment to Climate Resilience and Net Zero in the Built Environment.   Starting in 2025, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) will include climate resilience as a key objective, developing National Construction Code (NCC) requirements to reduce the impact of natural disasters.   Building ministers and the ABCB are shaping a new direction for NCC 2025, encouraging practical and cost-effective initiatives aimed at reducing displacement and rebuilding costs after natural disasters.   The NCC 2025 will also introduce a voluntary pathway for commercial buildings to measure and report embodied carbon. The ABCB will also explore incorporating a minimum standard for embodied carbon in NCC 2028 to support net zero goals.   Australia’s commitment to climate resilience and net zero in the built environment is growing, however more work is required. Through collaboration, practical implementation, and innovation, both public and private sectors need to pave the way for a sustainable and resilient future.   Let’s connect to discuss how we can contribute to this essential transition thought our climate and carbon advisory teams. 🌱 #ClimateResilience #PathtoNetZero #BuiltEnvironment #CarbonAdvisory #ESG Article: https://lnkd.in/gj-r5ykk Paul Edwards, GAICD Alistair Coulstock Clinton Rakich Gemma Wilson Jason Zafiriadis Julia Halioua Tanvi Patel Mehul Jamwal Emma Haselden

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The Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy and Reporting Framework has been released by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water with a focus on three areas: climate, environmental and circularity. https://lnkd.in/ga5dwNQt A nice surprise to see NABERS yet to be released Embodied Carbon rating called up in the sustainable procurement reporting framework along with acknowledging the Green Building Council of Australia and Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) third-party rating schemes. https://lnkd.in/gYNwiQV2 Sustainable Procurement Guide - some updates but also note sone more work to do in addressing designing out waste. Heavy on recycling but appears to lack actions towards eliminating waste. https://lnkd.in/gNfG2RfC #SustainableProcurement

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Circularity is central to decarbonising our built environment and there's strong demand for low-carbon materials in the infrastructure pipeline. Looking forward to unpacking this tomorrow on the Circular Australia Industry Taskforce meeting. #infrastructure #lowcarbonconstruction #embodiedemissions #circularmaterials

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This morning the Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA) and Arcadis hosted a breakfast with NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) CEO Tony Chappel. An excellent opportunity to gain insight into regulatory perspective and trajectory as the remediation industry addresses issues related to chemical handling, PFAS, biosolids, asbestos, recycled materials recall etc. The challenge here lurks in the conflict between a risk based approach which limits timeframes for cleaning up contamination in response to development proposals and drives up costs. This stymies application of sustainable remediation solutions that generally take longer but are more cost effective and less heavy handed. NSW needs a mechanism to trigger remediation of legacy sites independent of immediate risk and pressing infrastructure development coupled to risk associated with likely future land use. We also need to learn to integrate remediation technologies into infrastructure to accelerate contaminant destruction through time. Let’s point things in the right direction. It’s certain that we will need the land and there’s no time like the present! Great job Scott Carroll and Emmylou Cooke.

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While we're on governance innovation ... here's another great example of what it can look like to enable vision, collaboration and innovation for transformative change. Perth's Water Sensitive Transition Network (WSTN) is an informal, self-organising network of cross-organisational and cross-sectoral champions with a shared vision for community resilience, liveability and sustainability enabled by water. And while informal, it is formally endorsed by key government agencies and organisations, and has real influence in steering a collective transition agenda and driving on-ground change. The WSTN evolved from action research I led in 2015 with the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities to develop a vision and transition plan for Greater Perth’s water sensitive future. Bringing diverse people together to imagine the future, think systemically and strategically develop pathways of change is powerful. The WSTN continues to achieve much, eg: 💧 It is a key stakeholder supporting whole-of-government action to tackle the challenge of a growing city in a changing climate through the iterative development of the Waterwise Perth Action Plan, a Cabinet-endorsed commitment to Perth becoming a water sensitive city. 🌱 It has been instrumental in developing the cross-boundary relationships and building the trust necessary to deliver a range of projects, such as valuing nature based solutions in the Perth and Peel region and creating climate resilient place-based developments. 🐝 Members have secured financial support from their respective organisations to undertake a Nyoongar water values project. Its contributions and achievements have been recognised nationally and internationally. It received the Organisational Excellence Award at the 2024 Australian Water Awards for the Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2019, a successful example of whole-of-government action to tackle the challenge of a growing city in a changing climate. And it received the Bronze Project Innovation Award at the 2022 IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition in Copenhagen, which recognises innovations in governance and institutional transitions. More detail on how the WSTN is driving transformative change can be found here: https://lnkd.in/g_XSNmpG Congratulations to the outgoing WSTN leaders john Savell and Giles Pickard, incoming leaders Emily Briggs and Shelley Shepherd, and the many other change leaders who have helped the WSTN to thrive, including Antonietta Torre Winsome MacLaurin and Nadine Riethmuller. #changeit Monash Sustainable Development Institute Water Sensitive Cities Chris Chesterfield Katie Hammer Liz Mackinlay Adriana Keating Fire to Flourish Saanika Rana Margaret Moreton John Richardson Victoria McKenzie-McHarg https://lnkd.in/gyKXFVAD

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Last Chance for Early Registration! The early registration window for the Decarbonising Building Industry (DBI) 2024 Conference is closing on September 15th! DBI2024, hosted at the University of Melbourne, is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about reducing carbon emissions in the building sector.  Join global leaders, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss innovative strategies that can transform how we construct, operate, and retrofit buildings. Highlights of the event include: Keynote speeches from industry pioneers like Professor Mat Santamouris, Professor Vivian WY Tam FTSE W, Professor Thomas Lützkendorf, Professor Wei PAN, Professor Harpa Birgisdóttir, Stanford Harrison, and Professor Mathew Aitchison Deep-dives into low-carbon materials, sustainable construction, and emerging technologies like AI and blockchain Engaging roundtable discussions and expert-led panels Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of the collective effort to revolutionize the future of sustainable buildings. Secure your spot and contribute to shaping a greener, more sustainable world. Visit the website for more information: https://rndbi.net/ Register by September 15th to lock in your spot at the early registration rate! #DBI2024 #DecarbonisingBuildings #Sustainability #GreenBuilding #FutureOfCities #ClimateAction #NetZero

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