Green Building Council Names 2016 Future Green Leader

Frasers Property Australia Sustainability Coordinator Olivia Leal-Walker has been named 2016 Future Green Leader by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

The award was announced last night as part of World Green Building Week celebrations in Sydney and aims to recognise up-and-coming sustainability specialists in the property and construction sector.

“Olivia impressed us with her hard work, passion and ability to bring people together on a sustainability journey,” says the GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer Romilly Madew.

“She worked on Frasers Property’s Fairwater, the first 6 Star Green Star – Communities development in New South Wales, and also played a significant role in Frasers Property being awarded the global GRESB leader for Diversified Office/Industrial/Non-listed fund.

“In her role with Frasers Property, she also engages staff through organising the company wide EnviroWeek talks, World Green Building Week events and various activities as part of the company’s new sustainability strategy.

According to GBCA, Lendlease has set a new benchmark in the creation of sustainable, inner city precincts with Barangaroo South awarded a 6 Star Green Star – Communities rating, scoring an unprecedented 104.98 out of a possible 110 points.

“Olivia’s passionate commitment to sustainability will inspire others to embrace sustainable thinking,” Ms Madew said.

Ms Leal-Walker was appointed at Frasers Property following an internship, and she’s a huge advocate of mentoring as a vehicle for young people to kick-start their careers. She’s keen to use her voice as the GBCA’s Future Green Leader to develop a mentoring program to support other emerging leaders.

A volunteer for a number of environmental organisations, Ms Leal-Walker recently coordinated Frasers Property’s involvement in Schools Tree Day, which engaged 75 staff volunteers, the media, and donations from 14 companies. She is also developing a social enterprise to tackle the issue of food waste on farms.

Ms Leal-Walker was chosen from a field of 14 finalists, and was selected by a judging panel after a rigorous judging process during which nominees’ names and companies were not disclosed.

In a first for Western Australia, Frasers Property Australia’s new Perth office fitout has achieved 6 Star Green Star – Interiors v1 certification, demonstrating world leadership in sustainable interiors.

In addition, a newly-established Future Green Leaders Advisory Group was set up to shape the direction of the Future Green Leaders program. This Advisory Group consists of:

• Lisa Hinde, Sustainability Analyst, JLL

• Simon O’Brien, Frasers Property Australia

• Alex Rayne Goldie, Department of Finance – Building Management and Works

• Lucinda Hirth, Melbourne Metro Rail Authority

• Lucas Earl, Trumen Corp Pty Ltd

• Warren Li, Certis Energy Pty Ltd

• Karl Desai, Technical Manager, GBCA

• Matthew Adams, Technical Coordinator, GBCA.

This carefully-designed office space, situated in a century-old former wool store in inner Sydney, isn’t just a base for WWF to conduct its advocacy and conservation initiatives but also a place where WWF-Australia can minimise its own environmental footprint.

By achieving a 5 Star Green Star – Interiors rating for the fitout – one of only three organisations to do so since the launch of the tool in 2012 – WWF-Australia has reaffirmed its position as an environmental leader.

“Olivia is very passionate about sustainability and has a rare gift for inspiring people to get on board of a concept – whether that’s mobilising our staff for volunteering events or bringing together a project team around a common purpose to enhance the value of sustainability to our customers. She’s worked on industry-leading Green Star projects and has a very bright future ahead of her,” Mr Bevilacqua says.

“We are proud to sponsor the Future Green Leader award, not only to support our industry, but to have the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s rising sustainability stars,” Mr Bevilacqua adds.

The annual Future Green Leader receives a one-year VIP pass to unlimited GBCA events, courses, site tours and online learning, a coveted speaking spot at Green Building Day, three mentoring sessions with an industry leader plus recognition as the Future Green Leader.

In 2015 JLL’s Sustainability Analyst Lisa Hinde was presented with the award.

“The Green Building Council of Australia would like to acknowledge Frasers Property Australia for its ongoing support of this award, which is inspiring the next generation to embrace sustainability and build a better, brighter future for us all,” Ms Madew said.