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< Back 5 MARTIN PLACE To improve its NABERS Waste rating, 5 Martin Place worked to address waste challenges from retail tenants and limited bin room space tackling contamination issues and enhancing recycling in a complex CBD mixed-use building. 5 Martin Place is an A-grade office tower in Sydney’s CBD using the government-backed NABERS rating system to drive performance across energy, water, and waste. NABERS Waste offers a consistent, national approach to waste measurement that aids comparison between buildings, and 5 Martin Place management was keen to improve their rating. In addition to offices, the building houses several retail tenancies including fashion, electronic, travel goods and food service. Many of the retail tenants sell items that are delivered to their stores in individual clear plastic bags, which were going to the building’s landfill stream and sometimes contaminating recycling streams. Space in the 5 Martin bin room was confined, making the task of manoeuvering bins for multiple recycling streams difficult.

CUMBERLAND COUNTRY GOLF CLUB Project Overview Green waste was an ongoing issue for Cumberland Country Golf Club, resulting in $8,000 a year in waste removal costs. Energy Conservation provided support through the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Bin Trim program, and secured 50% funding for a shredder to turn ground waste into garden mulch. As well as cutting their waste bill they saved $16,500 in capital costs and now re-use around 38 tonnes of green waste every year that would otherwise go to landfill.

Energy Efficiency & Renewables EC Focus enhances your operational sustainability by identifying and implementing energy management solutions. This includes energy audits, electrification strategies (e.g., replacing gas boilers with heat pumps), and integrating new solutions to optimise energy performance and reduce costs. Energy Audits EC Focus delivers energy audits aligned with the Australia New Zealand Standard 3598:2014 (Levels 1 to 3). Our process includes: Initial consultation – meetings with key stakeholders to understand issues and priorities Utility bill analysis – review of electricity bills, tariffs, and meter data Site inspection – assessment of major energy-using equipment and systems Sub metering & thermal imaging – used when needed to measure performance and insulation Energy profiling – breakdown of energy use by equipment type Energy conservation measures (ECMs) – identification of potential savings opportunities Reporting – presentation of findings and a detailed audit report Implementation strategy – practical plan to action the identified savings Our reports outline promising energy saving actions, potential cost savings, capital investment requirements, and return on investment, providing the foundation for effective energy cost control. Measurement and Verification At EC Focus, we help businesses in both NSW and VIC take advantage of financial incentives for custom energy efficiency projects through the PIAM&V and the PBA method under the ESS and VEU program in NSW and VIC. These methods are ideal for complex or large-scale upgrades, such as replacing commercial HVAC and BMS systems, industrial thermal process upgrades, because they allow you to earn certificates and rebates based on the actual energy savings achieved. The main benefit of these methods is flexibility—you can tailor projects to your specific needs and still receive financial rewards. This approach often leads to significant cost savings on and a faster return on investment. However, the challenge lies in the detailed measurement and verification process required to prove energy savings. This involves rigorous data collection and analysis before and after the upgrade, which can be complex and time-consuming. That’s where EC Focus comes in. We are one of the few accredited organisations who have the experience in navigating different upgrade scenarios and meeting the scheme requirements. We help facilitate the certificate creation process smoothly and help you maximize the financial benefits of your energy efficiency projects. Learn more NABERS Energy & Water As registered NABERS Assessors, we provide comprehensive support to achieve high ratings for your buildings. Our expertise includes Energy, Water, Waste, and Carbon Neutral NABERS Ratings. We specialize in optimizing these areas for maximum sustainability impact. Tailored energy services EC Focus offers tailored energy services designed to meet the unique needs and priorities of each client. Whether you’re looking to identify targeted energy efficiency upgrade solutions, apportion energy bills based on actual usage, integrate renewable energy, or navigate compliance with government schemes, our team delivers customised support aligned with your goals. Backed by deep industry experience and a strong commitment to professionalism, we provide practical, data-driven outcomes that help you reduce costs, manage risks, and achieve your targets with confidence. Related News & Insights Defining GHG Inventory boundaries: Why early choices matter COP30: Key outcomes for Australian Businesses How to Read Your Electricity Bills? Turning Numbers into Insights Get in contact with us Name* Email* Company Role Write a message Submit

< Back Business Case Tool to Tackle Food Waste in Sydney’s Tourism Sector EC Focus partnered with the City of Sydney's Sustainable Destination Partnership to tackle food waste in tourism. We created a Business Case Tool to help sustainability managers in hotels, attractions, and institutions cut food waste by focusing on its climate impact, reputational benefits, regulatory requirements, and cost savings. Date: 2024 Read the full case study to see how this tailored tool supports Sydney’s tourism sector in building stronger business cases for food waste reduction, equipping sustainability managers with the insights and drivers they need to gain internal buy-in and make informed decisions.

HARBOURLIGHTS MILSONS POINT Project Overview A prestigious 13 storey apartment building located in Sydney's iconic Milsons Point, Harbourlights was taking part in the My Green Apartment program run by North Sydney Council which provided energy efficiency training and advice. Faced with rising costs associated with ongoing maintenance and electricity prices, the Strata Committee decided to upgrade their ageing common area lighting with energy efficient lighting systems. Working with experienced solutions provider Illumelec, the Strata Committee chose to replace the inefficient fluorescent lights in the car park and fire stairs with LED Battens plus motion sensors and programmable dimming. Energy Conservation was engaged as Accredited Certificate Provider to document the project and compile the evidence required for creation of Energy Savings Certificates under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme. The support provided by Energy Conservation reduced project costs, ensured lighting performance exceeded Australian standards and provided third party verification of project savings. Following these upgrades, Harbourlights saw their power bills decrease during a period when electricity prices went up by 26%.

LINFOX - MARS FOODS WAREHOUSE Project Overview Located in Berkeley Vale, Wyong Shire, on the Central Coast of NSW and only minutes from the Mars Foods owned Masterfood’s manufacturing site, is the home of the Linfox Distribution Warehouse. Responsible for picking and despatching domestic Australian orders and exports to New Zealand and the Middle East for Mars Foods. Occupying 32,500 SQM of floor space, Both companies have a long-standing commitment to a safe work environment and sustainability through lower carbon footprint reduced greenhouse emissions and energy efficiency.

130 GEORGE ST LIFT UPGRADE Project Overview 130 George Street is a 5-star NABERS energy-rated building with 14 levels of office space owned and managed by Dexus. The building uses seven lifts which were nearing the end of their operational life when an upgrade was initiated in 2015. Prior to the upgrade, Dexus installed sub-metering of the lift system. This allowed the impact of the upgrade to be measured by providing energy consumption data both before and after the upgrade. Energy Conservation was engaged to verify the energy savings according to the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol, providing the expert analysis and interpretation needed to translate the raw data into useful information for the building manager and create financial rewards in the form of Energy Savings Certificates. We found that the upgrade resulted in average annual savings of 83% in energy needed to power the lifts and cool the motor room. Our engineers were able to quantify and verify this reduction in energy consumption to an international standard as well as state the confidence interval and the precision of the annual savings that resulted. Our broad experience managing projects involving numerous interested parties enabled us to smoothly coordinate the supply of information to deliver this project quickly and professionally.

Climate Transition At EC Focus, we guide your decarbonisation journey every step of the way — from where you are today to achieving your short-, medium-, and long-term goals. We help you navigate evolving climate regulations while supporting your transition. Our services include carbon footprint analysis, strategic planning, and the identification and prioritisation of decarbonisation opportunities across your operations and value chain. GHG Inventory We can only manage what we measure! We help businesses measure, track, and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with clarity and confidence. Our process follows the GHG Protocol and includes value chain mapping, materiality analysis, and defining inventory boundaries. We ensure transparent calculations with clear assumptions and emission factors. As a result, you will receive a customised tool, making future reporting simple and scalable. Climate Target Setting The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is the leading global framework for setting climate targets aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The process involves measuring current emissions, assessing sector-specific pathways, setting a clear timeline (short, medium, or long term), and modelling targets using the latest tools and guidelines. Companies with established climate targets generally invest more in decarbonisation efforts compared to those without such goals. So, if you are aiming to get traction on decarbonisation, that might be the perfect place to start! Decarbonisation Plan Our Decarbonisation Plan helps organisations identify and prioritise emission reduction opportunities through a clear and actionable strategy. By using a Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC), we assess the cost-effectiveness of various mitigation measures, visually representing abatement options alongside their potential emissions reductions, associated costs, and available financial incentives for implementation. This allows you to make informed decisions and prioritise investments effectively. Mandatory climate reporting Mandatory Climate Reporting (ASRS) requires Australian companies to disclose climate-related risks and emissions from 2025, in line with global standards (IFRS S2 and TCFD). Covering governance, strategy, targets, and Scope 1–3 emissions, the framework ensures consistent reporting on both physical and transition risks. Early compliance not only avoids regulatory and reputational risks but also helps companies strengthen resilience, attract capital, and build investor trust. Learn more Related News & Insights Defining GHG Inventory boundaries: Why early choices matter COP30: Key outcomes for Australian Businesses How to Read Your Electricity Bills? Turning Numbers into Insights Get in contact with us Name* Email* Company Role Write a message Submit

HILTON SYDNEY CONFERENCE AND FUNCTION CENTRE Project Overview Hilton Sydney is home to one of the country’s most versatile event spaces with its purpose-built conference and function centre, spanning 4 floors with state-of-the-art technology and smart ambient lighting suitable for a wide range of events. Energy use and maintenance costs were on the rise, with the existing downlights aging and depreciating in performance when Hilton Sydney engaged Energy Conservation to support their upgrade to more energy-efficient lighting. With performance-based lighting design, government approval of light fixtures and the creation of Energy Savings Certificates, Energy Conservation was proud to assist in the delivery of a customised solution representing a substantial reduction in energy and maintenance costs to the customer. The Energy Savings Certificates we generated offset the project costs by more than 22% and the hotel now saves over 233 MWh per year off its annual energy bills.

IKEA DISTRIBUTION CENTRE Project Overview At its state-of-the-art distribution centre in Moorebank, furniture giant IKEA was experiencing growing energy & lighting maintenance costs but decreasing light output, unfavourable to productivity & safety. A detailed site audit and measurement of lighting needs was conducted, and the property owner and Client chose LED High Bays for their proven minimum operating capability of 50,000 hours, equal to 10 years of maintenance-free lighting. Once the lighting upgrade was complete IKEA had measurably improved lighting performance, exceeding building code requirements by over 70% with positive implications for workplace productivity and safety. Supported by Energy Conservation, IKEA not only achieved savings of $111,000 in annual energy costs plus $15,000 in annual maintenance costs, but also secured funding of over $141,000 through the creation of Energy Savings Certificates to offset the project- with a 1.6-year simple payback.

ABC CASTINGS RECYCLING EQUIPMENT Project Overview ABC Castings is a nonferrous metal casting business producing components for use in heavy industry, infrastructure and manufacturing. The castings are often made in hardened sand-based moulds, bonded with resin or clay, which are broken off the finished casting at the end of the process and cannot be reused unless they are refined back to sand. Prior to working with Energy Conservation over 200 tonnes of resin sand per annum was being lost this way to landfill. An assessor from Energy Conservation visited the business to conduct a visual waste assessment, interview the business owner and gather evidence from waste bills and procurement orders. The owner recognised that more efficient use of materials would reduce waste to landfill and cut operating costs. A proposal was submitted for the purchase of sand recovery and associated dust extraction equipment which, supported by the evidence collected by our assessor was approved by the NSW EPA. The business could then proceed to purchase their new equipment with 45% of the purchase cost guaranteed in rebate funding. With their new equipment installed, ABC Castings now reuses more than 90% of their resin sand and saves over $63,000 per year in waste disposal costs.