Apartment sustainability: turning attention into action

Last month, this column highlighted the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Renewable and Affordable Energy for Apartments. Since then, Owners’ Corporation Network (OCN), drawing on its submission, appeared before the Inquiry.

Viewed positively, there is clearly growing – if somewhat belated – attention to the fact that apartments must be part of the energy transition. With a significant and rising proportion of Victorians living in strata communities – note the proposed Activity Centres – there is simply no credible pathway to a sustainable future that leaves apartments behind.

However, the Inquiry process also revealed an ongoing gap in understanding of the residential strata sector. Many presenters took a “doing unto buildings” approach – portraying apartments primarily as sites for technology deployment, led by suppliers or energy advocates.

In so doing, there is a tendency to overlook the financial and social dynamics that shape collective decision-making in owners’ corporations – and at times, to cast them as barriers rather than key participants.

Against this backdrop, OCN’s appearance – combined with representation from Haines Street apartment residents and owners – sought to bring balance by emphasising the lived reality of apartment residents as energy consumers navigating complex energy systems. The Inquiry’s report, due later this year, will be an important opportunity to ground this conversation.

Encouragingly, closer to home, there is practical work under way. The City of Melbourne is developing a new Apartment Sustainability Service aimed at directly supporting apartment residents and owners’ corporations to reduce energy use and costs, improve waste management and build overall resilience.

Importantly, this initiative recognises that effective solutions must be shaped with the people who live in and manage these buildings.

Apartment residents and owners’ corporations are invited to help design this service by sharing their experiences – what’s working, what’s challenging, and what support is needed. This input will directly inform programs that are more relevant, accessible and effective.

Survey participants can also nominate for pilot opportunities, which may include sessions with sustainability experts to help address specific priorities.

You can participate by completing the survey here.

The survey closes on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

While state-level conversations are still gaining momentum, local engagement like this is how real progress will be made.

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