What's taking place in Sydney
Green Building Forum returns to Sydney in November 2026, bringing sustainability practitioners together for a deeper dive into Green Star in practice.
Designed for those actively working to shape the future of the built environment, the event will explore the latest developments through project case studies, insightful discussions on critical issues and industry updates.
With multiple opportunities for connection through in-program workshops and a networking drinks reception, the forum offers a unique platform for exchanging ideas and building relationships across the sector.
For those looking to extend their experience, an optional site visit to the University of New South Wales CBD Campus on the following day will provide an exclusive opportunity to see sustainability leadership in action.
This is a must-attend event for professionals committed to creating a more sustainable built environment.
Can’t make it to Sydney? Join the forum via virtual live stream on Wednesday 18 November and access key presentations, industry updates and project case studies from wherever you are. The virtual experience has been designed to help you stay connected to the latest Green Star developments and industry conversations without the need to travel.
Agenda
The Sydney program has been designed to showcase technical project insights, highlight Green Star and industry updates and deliver practical learning experiences through peer-to-peer discussion and networking opportunities. Explore critical issues, hear directly from project leads and Green Star assessors and gain practical insights that can be applied to projects today.
Discussion points:
- Driving circularity outcomes through better project collaboration
- Unlocking circular procurement and specification pathways
- The role of products and materials in enabling circular outcomes
- Scaling innovation to deliver measurable impact
Achieving a 5-Star Green Star rating, the UNSW CBD Campus sets a new benchmark for sustainable learning environments. Hear how the team overcame complex delivery challenges to create a flexible, technology-enabled campus that blends circular design principles, innovative learning spaces and outstanding environmental performance.
The sustainability landscape for commercial buildings is very dynamic. Hear how NABERS is evolving to maximise impact and meet the needs of the industry.
This session will cover key updates around the NABERS Energy tool, embodied carbon and Data Centres.
This panel will explore how the built environment can drive carbon reductions through innovation, supply chain engagement and smarter material choices.
Discussion points:
- Turning carbon reduction goals into measurable outcomes through supply chain engagement and collaboration.
- Exploring how innovation across manufacturing, design and delivery is reducing embodied carbon.
- How ratings, benchmarking and performance data can help organisations identify, prioritise and track carbon reduction opportunities.
- Which policies, frameworks and reporting requirements are making the biggest impact?
- Navigating the trade-offs between carbon, cost, availability, performance and constructability
The industry roadmap to 2035: Moving from ideas to action
Overcoming barriers on a tricky Green Star project
This interactive workshop will explore how to approach complex and unconventional Green Star projects, unpack credit intent, and identify pathways when standard compliance isn't possible. The session will introduce GSAPs (experienced and new) to key stakeholders in a Green Star project, deliver an overview of the certification process and will provide you greater confidence in developing robust submissions and Technical Questions.
As Australia's first airport terminal to achieve a 5 Star Green Star Buildings As Built certification, the Newcastle Airport Terminal Expansion set a new benchmark for sustainable aviation infrastructure. This session will explore the technical and operational challenges of delivering ambitious sustainability outcomes within a complex airport environment, and the lessons learned in balancing performance, resilience and passenger experience
The new Sydney Fish Market showcases how innovative design and sustainability can be integrated at scale. This session will explore the delivery of the project's striking wave-inspired mass timber roof, one of the largest and most complex timber roof structures constructed in Australia.
The session will also examine how the extensive use of renewable timber, alongside initiatives to improve energy efficiency, reduce embodied carbon and enhance environmental performance, contributed to the project's ambitious sustainability objectives and pursuit of a 5-Star Green Star rating.
Insights from the leaders driving change
Hear from the practitioners, project teams and sustainability experts helping to shape the future of Australia’s built environment. Our speaker lineup will share firsthand project experience, lessons learned and practical approaches to delivering better outcomes through Green Star.
Hear from industry practitioners shaping the built environment
Fairouz Ghanem
Joanne Andrade
Melissa Nouel
Natalya Partington
Matt Williams
Owen Grace
Alexis Kusinski
Aidan Mullan
Magali Wardle
Deepak Chopra
Hear directly from GBCA
Davina Rooney
Jorge Chapa
Taryn Cornell
Emma Bezzina
Elham Monavari
Real projects. Real outcomes.
Get an in-depth look at two of Australia’s most noteworthy Green Star projects through detailed and technical case studies which will be presented at the conference by members of the project teams. They will share the design decisions, challenges and outcomes behind these innovative developments, with dedicated time for audience questions and discussion, allowing attendees to explore the technical details most relevant to their own work.
Newcastle Airport Terminal
Presenter: Matt Williams – National Sustainability Lead, LCI
Sydney Fish Markets
Presenter: Owen Grace – Sustainability Manager, Multiplex
UNSW CBD Campus
Presenters:
- Melissa Nouel – Built Environment Sustainability Manager, UNSW
- Nathan Humphries – Principal, DesignInc Sydney
Site tour - Go beyond the forum
Extend your Green Building Forum experience with an exclusive site visit of the UNSW CBD Campus the following day. This guided tour will provide behind-the-scenes insight into a leading project, offering attendees the opportunity to see sustainable design and delivery strategies in practice.
Meeting point:
UNSW CBD Campus reception @ Poly Centre Level 4/210 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
When:
Thursday 19 November at 9:30–10:45am
Duration:
1 hour tour plus refreshments
Capacity:
Spots limited, book early to secure your place
Price:
$40 members, $50 non-members – can be combined with your conference ticket
Hosts:
- Melissa Nouel – National Sustainability and Environmental Manager, UNSW
- Nathan Humphries – Senior Interior Designer, DesignInc
UNSW CBD Campus
Venue information
Green Building Forum Sydney will be held at Dockside in Darling Harbour.
Dockside
Balcony Level 1 – Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park, Sydney NSW 2000
Entry
Follow signs to Dockside and make your way to Level 1 / Balcony level.
Getting there
Head down Druitt Street toward Sussex Street.
Take the Druitt Street ramp (beside the Darling Park Towers).
Continue over the Druitt Street foot bridge and down the stairs until you reach the Cockle Bay Wharf promenade.
When facing the water, the W Hotel (old IMAX) should be on your left – turn right and walk towards Nick’s Seafood Restaurant/towards the Cockle Bay Wharf bird fountain.
Behind the Pelican fountain towards the clock, and take the escalators or elevators up to LEVEL 1 / Balcony level.
Head down Market Street towards the Shelbourne Hotel.
Take the ramp towards the Pyrmont Bridge.
At the escalators, go down to the Rooftop level/start of Pyrmont Bridge and turn left at Rouge.
Head down the escalators once more to LEVEL 1 /Balcony level and continue walking past Café Del Mare to reach the venue.
The Closest Bike Parking is on Sussex Street
These are free standing racks. You can lock your bike to both sides.
Address: Sussex Street, Sydney 2000
You can plan and view further existing bike parking’s from City of Sydney website
Please note there is no on-site parking. We recommend the following:
Darling Park Car Park (opening hours vary, please refer to Wilsons Parking website for further details).
201 Sussex Street Upon entering the car park, follow the signs to Cockle Bay Wharf parking. Take the elevator up to level B and walk across the pedestrian bridge to Dockside.
Take a bus to the QVB and walk down Market Street towards Darling Harbour.
Last updated: 31 August 2026