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Big savings to be made for strata communities

Strata and community title owners and managers are being urged to adopt an energy saving initiative that has just been awarded a top prize for sustainability at the prestigious Melbourne awards.

Smart Blocks has been recognised for helping apartment owners and managers improve the energy efficiency of common property in apartment buildings throughout Australia. On average, residents of high and medium density blocks use 25 per cent more energy than those in detached dwellings with up to 50 per cent of this energy use coming from common areas like hallways, car parks and swimming pools.

Smart Blocks provides a ground breaking online tool kit that equips owners and managers with tools to work collaboratively to implement projects in the common areas of their building.

Strata Community Australia (SCA) CEO Kim Henshaw said that there are big savings for strata communities throughout Australia if they adopt the Smart Blocks projects.

The online project management toolkit guides participants through each step of the process, allowing users to register their building, identify relevant projects, build a business case, and prepare a case for implementation. Projects are varied and include lighting upgrades, heating and cooling, ventilation as well as solar options.

“It can often be hard to make energy efficient changes in residential strata buildings for many reasons such as the frustration of trying to retrofit an old building with new power saving technologies, the difficulties of collective decision-making and the complexity of navigating codes and by-laws. Smart Blocks takes care of these challenges, providing a clear and easy way for owners and managers to create a more sustainable and energy efficient building,” said Mr Henshaw.

“Strata communities are fast becoming the way of the future, with 24.2 per cent of Australian households currently living in strata dwellings, and this figure is increasing every year. 40 per cent of all energy produced worldwide is consumed in buildings and as the number of residential buildings in Australia increases it is vital that we meet this trend with appropriate mechanisms to reduce the impact that this will have on the environment.”

“What is particularly special about this project is that it has the ability to really impact apartment buildings and strata communities nationwide. Smart Blocks provides individuals and owners corporations with specific advice, tailored to each state or territory to help strata communities achieve smarter and more effective outcomes for their buildings and community areas.”

Smart Blocks was developed in partnership between Strata Community Australia (SCA), City of Sydney, City of Melbourne, Owners Corporation Network of Australia and Green Strata and received funding from the Department of Industry as part of the Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program.

“The support of our partners has been absolutely vital in creating a resource that is highly relevant and effective for apartment owners and managers. Smart Blocks exists because of the vision and leadership of Strata Community Australia and the wonderful support provided by theCities of Melbourne and Sydney” Said Sarah Johnson, national programs manager for Smart Block.

The Smart Blocks team have recently been awarded the Victorian premier’s Design Award for Service Design 2013 and the FM Industry Awards for Excellence in Industry Innovation.

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