Opportunities

Join our smart green apartments program

Get free expert guidance to reduce your apartment building’s water and energy use.

Closed

  • Applications closed on Thursday 16 October 2025

Join the program

Get your application in before 5pm, Thursday 16 October

Apply now

Ailsa McConnachie-Folwell

Sustainability Engagement Coorddinator

phone number
02 9288 5960
email address
[email protected]

Our smart green apartments program helps buildings across our local area become more efficient and save money on bills and operating costs.

Through the program, your strata committee will receive professional assessments, technical advice and action plans – all free of charge. You’ll also get access to webinars, resources and ongoing support from our sustainability experts.

Why your strata committee should apply

Now is the ideal time for strata committees to take action.

The Strata Schemes Management Amendment Act 2025 introduced several key sustainability-focused reforms for NSW strata schemes. These reforms make participating in the smart green apartments program more relevant and valuable than ever.

Under the new laws:

  • Bylaws cannot restrict sustainability infrastructure on aesthetic grounds, except in heritage-listed properties.
  • Sustainability must be considered at each annual general meeting, including a review of energy and water use across common property.
  • Capital works fund forecasts must now account for sustainability infrastructure, such as solar systems or water efficiency upgrades.

Participating in the smart green apartments program helps your building:

  • meet these new legal requirements
  • understand where energy and water savings can be made
  • access free professional advice worth thousands of dollars
  • create a long-term sustainability action plan tailored to your building
  • add value to your property and improve resident satisfaction.
A person stands in front of a wooden building facade with the words ‘paloma 188 chambers’ in raised lettering. The individual is holding a small, alert-looking dog in one arm and an award plaque in the other. The sunlight casts shadows on the wall and ground, indicating it is a bright day.
A person with their face obscured by a pixelated block stands in front of a building. The building has a sign that reads ‘M CENTRAL 2, 380 HARRIS STREET.’ There are two metallic pipes on the wall beside the sign. The person is wearing a light blue shirt with rolled-up sleeves and appears to be standing with their arms crossed. The background features the dark entrance of the building and part of its stone facade.
A recycling depot with various labeled bins for different types of recyclable materials. There is a large green bin on the left labeled “MOBILE PHONES & ACCESSORIES,” and next to it, several other bins under a sign that reads “Recycle Depot.” The items accepted at this depot include batteries, light globes, mobile phones, e-waste, shoes, printer cartridges, and plastic (toys). In the foreground, a person is wearing a suit. The setting appears to be indoors with industrial-style lighting and concrete flooring.
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Who can apply

  • Apartment buildings in the City of Sydney local area.
  • Your owners corporation (or equivalent) must show a high level of commitment and capacity for improving your building’s environmental performance, including your NABERS energy and water ratings and waste management.
  • Strata-titled and company-titled buildings can apply, including those that are part of a building management committee/community association/precinct association or other tiered management structure.

Before you begin your application

To complete the application form you will need to know the following things:

  • Details of your building manager, strata management company and strata committee office bearer.
  • Your strata plan number, number of bedrooms in your strata scheme, and how many lots are shown in the registered strata plan.
  • If your strata scheme is part of a BMC or CA or some other shared arrangement. If this is the case, you’ll need to complete a separate application form and supporting documents for each strata plan. If successful, our program will cover the whole precinct.
  • Building equipment and service details such as how many lifts you have, if your pool is gas or electric heated (if you have one), if you have an online system for monitoring water and energy use.
  • How many common property electricity accounts your strata scheme has.

How to apply

Applications close at 5pm, Thursday 16 October 2025.

  1. Complete the online application form and attach supporting documentation that includes:

    • a minuted strata committee resolution that commits to undertake low cost and no cost improvements, and consider recommendations to change common property at a general meeting (a sample motion is available to help you with this process)
    • copies of the registered strata plan drawing, strata management statement and community management statement (where applicable)
    • audited financial report from the previous financial year
    • general ledger report – to ensure all utility accounts/meters are included in scope of work
    • copies of most recent electricity, gas and water bills for all accounts paid by the owners corporation.

  2. We’ll arrange a phone call with eligible buildings to discuss your application in further detail with our technical assessor.

  3. Once assessed, we’ll notify you of the outcome.

For help with the application form please contact sustainability engagement coordinator Ailsa McConnachie-Folwell at [email protected].

Sample motion to apply for the smart green apartments programDOCX · 28.17 KB · Last modified
Sample motion to apply for the smart green apartments programPDF · 104.39 KB · Last modified

Join the program

Get your application in before 5pm, Thursday 16 October

Apply now