Sustainability Audits

What it involves

A sustainability audit typically reviews:

• Energy efficiency and emissions
• Water use and water efficiency
• Waste generation and resource recovery
• Indoor environmental quality
• Transport and site impacts
• Compliance with relevant planning conditions, NCC provisions, and sustainability frameworks

When it is required

Sustainability audits may be required:

• As a planning permit or post-construction condition
• For commercial or multi-residential developments
• To demonstrate compliance with council sustainability policies, ESG commitments, or rating tools (e.g. BESS, Green Star)
• As part of due diligence for asset owners or operators

Benefits

• Identifies performance gaps and improvement opportunities
• Reduces operational costs through efficiency gains
• Supports regulatory compliance and risk management
• Improves environmental outcomes and asset value
• Provides clear, documented evidence of sustainability performance

Why it is needed

Sustainability audits ensure that sustainability commitments move beyond design intent and are effectively implemented and maintained in practice. They provide confidence to regulators, owners, and occupants that environmental performance targets are being met in a measurable, transparent, and accountable way.