How PICA Group is supporting sustainability

PICA Group is taking steps to create a more sustainable future for our community. We are proud to actively be involved in several national and local initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of apartment buildings.

PICA Group take a platinum pledge towards sustainability

Our PICA Group Sydney CBD offices have committed the Zero Waste Sydney pledge. As part of the initiative, we aim to reduce the use of single-use plastic by phasing out 10 single-use items. We are proudly one of 50 other businesses that are participating in the initiative.

To demonstrate our commitment, we pledge to turn our words into action by:

• Removing bottled water
• Removing plastic straws and serve ware, including takeaway containers and expanded polystyrene
• Removing single-use plastic bags
• Removing single-use cups and glasses
• Making tap water refills available
• Prioritising reusable cups for hot and cold drinks
• Introduceing a stationery recycling scheme

North Sydney Council: Futureproofing Apartments program

This program was launched to reduce the cost of living and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution. It targets small to medium sized strata properties and appoints an assessor to review and identify reduction opportunities in energy, water and heating usage, as well as solar viability.

The savings potential with energy upgrades is likely to also help reduce the strata fees for many property owners. The findings can further help quantify the amount of wastage and make recommendations for improvements to owners corporations.

Aligned with our company’s aim of enhancing community living, we are happy to announce that 18 managed buildings out of 32 entries were selected by North Sydney Council to participate in the program.

Our successful strata properties and branches are:

• SP 55429, Mason and Brophy Strata Management
• SP 1204, Mason and Brophy Strata Management
• SP 56806, Mason and Brophy Strata Management
• SP 75318, Mason and Brophy Strata Management
• SP 6097, Mason and Brophy Strata Management
• SP  23021, Mason and Brophy Strata Management
• SP 31786, Mason and Brophy Strata Management
• SP 12037, NSW Strata Management
• SP 12047, NSW Strata Management
• SP 58675, NSW Strata Management
• SP 136,  NSW Strata Management
• SP 5497, Dynamic Property Services
• SP 60590, Dynamic Property Services
• SP 36044, Dynamic Property Services
• SP 61409, Dynamic Property Services
• SP 81068, Body Corporate Services (BCS) Mona Vale
• SP 12300,  Body Corporate Services (BCS) Sydney
• SP 102, Body Corporate Services (BCS) Chatswood

City of Sydney: Smart Green Apartment Program

Smart Green Apartments is an award-winning program organised by City of Sydney to help more than 50 buildings become more energy and water efficient, saving thousands of dollars on running and maintenance costs.

With selection being based on an evaluation of energy and water consumption, size and complexity and the capacity of owners corporations to implement upgrades, PICA Group is excited to be amongst the first in Australia to have a NABERS for Apartment Building rating and to share in the journey of creating a more sustainable future.

Ratings are conducted by a qualified in-house assessor, who is authorised by the National Administrator on behalf of the Federal Government.

Our successful strata properties and branches are:

• SP 61667 Harbour Garden Towers, Body Corporate Services (BCS) Sydney
• SP 64807 Acacia, Body Corporate Services (BCS) Sydney
• SP 64038 Oasis Apartments, Dynamic Property Services
• Sydney Park Village, Dynamic Property Services

Waverley Council: Building Futures Program

Building Futures is a new program by Waverley Council that aims to reduce shared energy usage in community apartment buildings.

This initiative is saving tens of thousands of dollars for owner corporations by reducing water use, energy use, waste and greenhouse gas emissions for the common property.

Our goal is to reduce energy by 20% in ten strata buildings by 2020. Each building receives free assessments, recommended upgrades, water fixtures and implementation support to provide the best opportunity for sustainable community living.

Our successful strata properties and branches are:

• The Eclipse Bondi Junction, Building Facilities Management Solutions
• Eastgate Gardens Bondi Junction, Building Facilities Management Solutions

NABERS for Apartment Buildings

PICA Group is a proud partner with NABERS for Apartment Buildings, offering rating assessments for strata properties. Based on the energy and water efficiency of a strata building’s common property, NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) for Apartment Buildings grants a rating using a six-star scale.

Having a NABERS rating has assisted many buildings to save thousands of dollars by becoming more energy and water efficient and save on running and maintenance costs. So don’t miss out – increase your property value with a NABERS for Apartment Buildings rating, and enquire about getting a building assessment.

Ratings are conducted by a qualified in-house assessor, who is authorised by the National Administrator on behalf of the Federal Government. Your assessor will work with your committee to compile all data and visit your property and submit the property’s application to the technical team at NABERS. Once you have received your rating certificate our team can work with you to plan and discuss strategies on how to improve the building’s rating.

CommunityUtilities

CommunityUtilities is designed to help reduce the cost of community living across Australia. Through a range of expense reduction programs, our specialised in-house team work with a panel of Australia’s top brokers to help committees, owners, and residents reduce the cost of their utility bills.

Partnering with sustainability ambassador, Tim Jarvis AM

We work closely with industry partners such as leading environmental scientist and award-winning conservationist Tim Jarvis AM as our corporate sustainability ambassador.

Most famously known for recreating Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic survival journey, Tim assisted PICA Group in engaging industry and governmental agencies for policy changes to promote greener and more energy-efficient residential buildings. Read more.

Or, to read Mr Jarvis’ article on sustainability in the property sector click here.