CitySwitch reaches 500 members

Energy-efficiency program CitySwitch has recruited its 500th member. The service, which began in Sydney in 2005 and went national in 2008, is a partnership between business, state and local government across Australia, supporting commercial office tenants to improve their energy efficiency.

The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) is the 500th signatory to the program, which now represents 12% of all Australia’s city centre office space. Other recent signatories include the State Library of NSW, Echo Entertainment Group and Fujitsu.

“We are very proud to welcome our 500th CitySwitch member,” said CitySwitch national program manager Esther Bailey.

“Our members are reducing carbon emissions, and workers report they are experiencing increased job satisfaction through a healthier work environment. Many of our members have reported to us that great work spaces reduce sick days, staff turnover, costs, and improve productivity.”

One such member is WWF-Australia. Kimberly Dixon, the organisation’s people and organisation development director, said office features such as natural light, good ventilation and clean, fresh air are shown to improve the health and happiness of employees in these spaces.

Kimberly Dixon, WWF-Australia people and organisation development director.

“Green office spaces can help optimise the people as well as the space, and our workers have reported they feel happy in their new environment and are energised by the design attributes,” Dixon said.

“Natural light, an open-plan layout with lots of plants, standing desks and informal meeting places all promote a collaborative team environment, encouraging movement and promoting healthy work practices.”

The Goodman Group, a CitySwitch member since 2007, relocated 180 staff in the Sydney office to a new sustainable building with improved air quality and increased use of natural light. Not only did the company reduce its energy consumption by nearly half from its previous tenancy, but a post-relocation survey showed that 93% of staff felt a sense of pride in the new workplace.

For more information on CitySwitch, visit http://cityswitch.net.au