SCA QLD - The Power of Now

Future proofing. The internet of things. Autonomous vehicles. The lingo sounds great, but what does it actually mean for you?  Technologies that smart bodies corporate should be investigating now.​

From 14-16th March the 2018 Strata Communities Australia (Queensland) Conference  "The Power of Now" was held at the Cairns Hilton.

Wattblock's Scott Witheridge presented on the future of strata with "Smart Cities - Beyond the Buzzword".  His presentation covered sustainability, energy efficiency, solar, batteries, NABERS energy efficiency ratings, the Internet of Things and electric vehicle charging in residential strata.​​

Scott Witheridge, Wattblock on Smart Cities

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​According to Scott, 45% savings are possible with an average 3.6 year payback across pricing tariffs and energy efficiency.  70% carbon emission reduction can be achieved in existing residential buildings simply by retrofitting existing solutions.  Suggested technologies included LED lights with sensors, CO sensors, Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), heat pumps, power factor correction, solar PV and batteries.

​There was a lot of interest in electric vehicle charging for strata.  Scott noted that Norway is powering ahead with half of new car sales now electric or hybrid.  India will sell only electric cars by 2030.  Britain and France will ban sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040.  General Motors is going all electric and is now selling a $5,000 electric car in China.  New developers are marketing their buildings as EV Ready.
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Over the past year Wattblock has been working with over 40 strata management offices across Australia to prepare their customers for NABERS and electric vehicles.   From a national survey of 125 strata schemes, 80% of owners want EV charging in the near future and they need a roadmap to assist in their journey to becoming electric vehicle ready.  
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The winners of the SCA (Qld) 2018 Strata Community Awards included:
 
Strata Community Manager Rising Star                 
Tahlia Puck, Cambridge Management Services (Bright & Duggan)

Strata Community Manager                                       
Richard Meek, Rubicon

Support Team Member                                                                 
Samantha (Sammi) Toyne, Body Corporate Services (Cairns & Port Douglas)

Ann Shevill Essay                                                             
Janette Comish,  StrataMax

President’s Award                                                         
Kerri Anthon, BCsystems

Strata Community Management Small Business                                                                               
Yule Strata

Strata Community Management Large Business                                                                               
Cambridge Management Services (Bright & Duggan)

Official photography from the event is now online for the Welcome Function, Day One and Two, and the Gala Dinner.  Informal photos are on the SCA Facebook page.​​
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You can download Smart Cities - Beyond the Buzzword [PDF 38 pages].  Other presentations from the event are online here.
 
Ross McIntyre
Contributor, Strata Energy News 

Strata managers can now register buildings in the City of Sydney and in Melbourne for a fully funded electric vehicle recharge assessment. Registrations for Brisbane have closed. However, if you're interested in learning more contact Scott Witheridge on (02) 9977 1801. Read more about the program here.